The second Monday of October is Indigenous Peoples Day in Minnesota. The day celebrates Indigenous culture, traditions and contributions.
Events and activities will be held across the state, with some starting over the weekend, including a film screening in Mankato and a weekend-long basketball tournament and festival in St. Paul.
MPR News compiled a list of events happening around the state over the weekend and on Indigenous Peoples Day.
Weekend Events
Twin Cities region
Owámni: Falling Water Festival, Minneapolis
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Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Father Hennepin Bluff Park
The 2026 Owámni: Falling Water celebrates Indigenous culture in Minnesota. The event highlights the cultural and historical significance of Owámniyomni, the Dakota name for St. Anthony Falls, meaning “turbulent water.” Attendees will find food, arts and craft vendors and local organizations.
Native American Heritage Night, St. Paul
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Saturday, Oct 10, 7:30 p.m., Allianz Field
Minnesota United FC will host Native American Heritage Night, celebrating Indigenous culture with music, dance and community events before a match against Houston Dynamo FC. Grand Casino sponsors the event with a bracelet giveaway and a limited edition Native American heritage designed merchandise by local artist Willard Malebear. Tickets are available online.
“Bowwow Powwow” Performance, Minneapolis
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Sunday, Oct. 11, 1 p.m., Minneapolis American Indian Center
“Bowwow Powwow” is produced in partnership with Stages Theatre Company and Mni Giizhik Theatre Ensemble. The story, adapted from Brenda Child's book of the same name, follows a young girl from Red Lake Nation named Windy Girl as she attends a powwow, all while her imagination runs wild with imagery of dogs dancing and singing. Tickets can be purchased on Stages Theatre Company’s website.
Indigenous Peoples Weekend, St. Paul
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Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Battle Creek Regional Park and Recreation Center
Enjoy a weekend of basketball, art and local shopping at this year’s Indigenous Peoples Weekend by nonprofit Niniijaanis One of Ones. The event begins on Saturday and runs through Monday. Various activities and public health opportunities will be available. A list of weekend events can be found on the event’s Facebook page.
Greater Minnesota
Community Read Discussion, Mankato
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Saturday, Oct. 10, 1 p.m., Blue Earth County Historical Society
Join Mankato’s Indigenous Peoples Day Community and Mankato State University’s American Indian Affairs for a community reading and discussion of “Big Chief” by Jon Hickey. The contemporary fiction novel explores Native leadership, identity, community and tribal politics.
Film Showing at Centenary, Mankato
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Saturday, Oct. 10, 2:30 p.m., Centenary United Methodist Church
Watch an episode of the documentary series, “Battle for the Northern Plains,” with the Indigenous Peoples Day Mankato Committee and Mankato State University’s American Indian Affairs. A discussion will follow the screening.
Indigenous Peoples Day Events
Twin Cities region on Monday
Sunrise Ceremony, Minneapolis
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7 a.m. to 8 a.m., Thomas Beach at Bde Maka Ska
For over a decade, people have gathered for ceremony and to watch the sun rise on Indigenous Peoples Day. The gathering invites attendees to join in reflection with the community.
Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ Water Blessing, St. Louis Park
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10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Westwood Nature Center
Join community for the fourth annual water blessing in honor of Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ, Bassett Creek. The gathering will include song, land acknowledgement and updates regarding the Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ (Bassett Creek) oral history project.
Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration, St. Paul
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11 a.m. to 2 p.m., American Indian Magnet School
A celebration with the theme of “We are all relatives” will be held at American Indian Magnet School. Community is invited to enjoy activities, songs and food.
Native American Food Truck Festival, St. Paul
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12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Battle Creek Regional Park and Recreation Center
Indigenous Peoples Weekend continues into Monday’s celebrations with a Native American Food Truck Festival, featuring several Native-owned food truck vendors. An art market and various activities will be held at the park throughout the day.
MAIC Indigenous Peoples Day Powwow, Minneapolis
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4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Minneapolis American Indian Center
Culture Language Arts Network will hold a powwow celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day. Local artists and organizations will be vending at the gathering.
Greater Minnesota (and beyond) on Monday
Indigenous Peoples Day Breakfast and Gladys Ray Award, Fargo, N.D.
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8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Indigenous Association’s center
The Indigenous Association in Fargo will host a kickoff breakfast featuring Indigenous ingredients followed by the 2026 Gladys Ray Award.
Indigenous Peoples Day Gathering, Bemidji
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10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sanford Bemidji Medical Center
Sanford Bemidji Medical Center will host a public gathering in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day. The gathering will include a blessing, a traditional meal of bison roast and a jingle dress teaching at 1 p.m. A local vendor showcase will be held until 4 p.m.
Annual Youth Led March and Community Round Dance, Duluth
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10:30 a.m., Harbor City School to Duluth City Hall
Join community for a youth-led march beginning at Harbor City School followed by a round dance at Duluth City Hall. The gathering honors and celebrates Indigenous culture, knowledge, art, music and community.
Indigenous Peoples Day Lunch and Learn, Moorhead
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11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hjemkomst Center
The Indigenous Association will host a free lunch featuring Indigenous ingredients and a presentation by local Indigenous youth. Registration is required.
Community Celebration, Mankato
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3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Mankato East High School
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day with planetarium showings, cultural demonstrations and drumming with Mankato’s Indigenous Peoples Day Community and Mankato State University’s American Indian Affairs. The event will have local Indigenous vendors and art. The celebration is free and open to the public.
Indigenous Peoples Celebration, Brainerd
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4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts
The Sowing Room and Brainerd Public Schools’ Indigenous Education program will hold a gathering at Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts. The event includes music, art, storytelling and food. A film screening of Leya Hale’s “Medicine Ball” will follow the celebration. It’s free and open to the public.
Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration, Superior, Wis.
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4:45 p.m., Yellowjacket Union Atrium
The University of Wisconsin Superior will celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day on campus with a feast, ceremony, dancing and a lacrosse game. The gathering is free and open to the public.
Indigenous Peoples Day Powwow, Moorhead
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5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Moorhead High School Gymnasium
Local school programs will host a powwow in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day starting with a dinner at 5:30 p.m. Grand entry and dance specials will begin at 7 p.m.
Post Indigenous Peoples Day gatherings
Native and Proud, Out and Loud!, St. Paul
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Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., St. Paul Campus
Join several University of Minnesota student organizations to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day and National Coming Out Day on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The gathering will begin with a tour of the Native American Medicine Garden followed by keynote speaker Giiwedin at 4:30 p.m. in Pillsbury Hall. The event celebrates two-spirit culture, history and identity.
Chandra Colvin covers Native American communities in Minnesota for MPR News via Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues and communities.
Collected from Minnesota Public Radio News. View original source here.
Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is a public radio network for the US state of Minnesota. With its three services, MPR News, YourClassical MPR and The Current, MPR operates a 46-station regional radio network in the upper Midwest.
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