Exhibit helps explain importance of treaties

Treaties between the U.S. government and Native American tribes existed long before Minnesota became a state.

Now, a new traveling exhibit, opening at the Goodhue County History Center, will help explain the effects those treaties still have in Minnesota hundreds of years later.

“Why Treaties Matter: Self-Government in the Dakota and Ojibwe Nations” will open 6:30 p.m. Friday with a public reception.

“I hope that (visitors) gain a better understanding of where people are coming from on different sides of treaty issues and rights issues,” Char Henn, director of the Goodhue County Historical Society, said.

“It’s important that we all understand what the treaties are, what they were supposed to do and what they’re doing today.”

The exhibit was created by the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, the Minnesota Humanities Center and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian. The exhibit features banners with text, images, maps and current photos from tribes, as well as videos to explain the treaties and how they helped shape Minnesota land use and the treatment of Native Americans today.

Friday’s reception will feature presentations by AnnaMarie Hill, director of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, and Tom Ross, of the Minnesota Humanities Center.

“They have kind of spearheaded this whole project,” Henn said of Hill and Ross. “I thought it would be nice to have them come and… give background on how (the project) came about and what their thinking was behind it.”

Co-sponsoring the exhibit is the Red Wing Arts Association, which has a complementary art exhibit “Visions and Viewpoints: Artwork of the Dakota and Ojibwe People” on display until June 24 at the Depot Gallery.

Other co-sponsors include ADM, the Duff Foundation, the Red Wing Human Rights Commission and the Minnesota Humanities Center.

The exhibit will be on display at the history center until July 6. From there, it will travel to other Minnesota locations, including Mayo Clinic in Rochester and historical societies in Ramsey, Winona and Carlton Counties.

The details

What: “Why Treaties Matter: Self-Government in the Dakota and Ojibwe Nations”

Where: History Center, 1166 Oak St.

When: June 8-July 6 — Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

Cost: $5 admission to the center, free on weekends

Opening reception: Friday 6:30-8:30 p.m., with presentation at 7 p.m.

More info: www.goodhuehistory.mus.mn.us, 651-388-6024

Tags: goodhue county, news, minnesota