MANKATO — Indigenous culture took center stage Monday night at Minnesota State University’s American Indian Night.
Sean and Jason Soukkala, a father-son pair representing the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, showcased native dancing, music and lessons about Indigenous performing arts. The duo, who perform with Native Pride Productions, do so to educate and preserve their Indigenous ways, they say.
“Without language there is no culture, and without culture there is no language,” said Sean Soukkala, whose act incorporated flute and drum playing and dance.
“As long as there’s one tribal person out there beating on a drum, there will be somebody learning and there will be somebody listening,” he later added.
MSU senior and Dakota language student Henry Bowring-McDonough, who spoke at the event, urged attendees to continue Indigenous preservation efforts.
“The Dakota Language is everywhere, even if just in small pockets,” Bowring-McDonough said. “The future of the Dakota language is in really good hands so long as legislators, educators and the people in this room bring it with them into the future.”
The event was one of several held in honor of Native Heritage Month, which runs through November.
Event organizer and Director of American Indian Affairs Megan Heutmaker said the hosting Native American Student Association (NASA) will be taking a short, but much-needed rest before offering more public engagement opportunities.
If you missed Monday’s festivities, don’t fret. The public can unwind with one of NASA’s craft nights in CSU 269 from 6-8p.m. Nov. 29. Attendees have the opportunity to bead, sew, craft, knit and crochet. Guests are welcome to bring their own crafts or pick up one that the group has ready.