Native Americans were the first inhabitants of the lands now known as Minnesota. Yet when people talk about our state’s history and culture, Indigenous art and stories are often left out. Kate Beane, executive director of the Minnesota Museum of American Art, is working to change that. She joins the podcast to talk about how Indigenous traditions redefine what art means and how artistic expression is tied to history. Kate also discusses how she and her family have advocated for Dakota place names in Minnesota, including restoring the name of Bde Maka Ska (formerly known as Lake Calhoun) in Minneapolis.

EPISODE RESOURCESThe Minnesota Museum of American Art (the M): https://mmaa.org/

Our Home: Native Minnesota exhibit: https://www.mnhs.org/historycenter/activities/museum/our-home

Returning home, restoring a name: https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/kate-beane-returning-home-restoring-name

Understand Native Minnesota: https://www.understandnativemn.org/