MANKATO — Elizbeth Sandell had a dream that children would learn about Indigenous people.
That dream eventually led her to the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, which is hosting Sandell’s All My Relatives creation.
The 14-week mini-workshop series is for children ages 7-12 and their caregivers and will be 4-6 p.m. Thursdays starting this week.
“I have learned over the past five or so years that descendants of European settlers need to take some responsibility for learning about the Indigenous people of our area,” said the Minnesota State University professor in the Department of Elementary and Literacy Education. “To expect them to teach me is another burden. I need to take some responsibility to learn.”
Entrance to the workshops is free with the cost of museum admission, and organizers expect 20-30 attendees per night. Children can attend any or all of the All My Relatives workshops.
“I feel like this is a project from my heart to give back and to pass on, to give Indigenous artists a voice and respect for their work,” Sandell said. “I want it to be bigger. Someday we’ll figure it out.”
For the project’s outset, her MSU students have created 14 boxes that contain “culturally grounded materials,” Sandell said in her prospectus, such as books, language resources, lesson plans, art, music and storytelling materials.
Some day the boxes could be distributed on a subscription basis to schools, libraries, museums and community centers but, for now, they will be shared at the Children’s Museum’s All My Relatives mini workshops.
The unique educational boxes touch on themes such as land stewardship, seasonal cycles, kinship, treaties, language and storytelling — all intended to honor and share the cultural knowledge, languages and artistic traditions of Indigenous Nations of the Great Plains.
Kids will have the opportunity to investigate materials, listen to stories, create art, play educational games and learn about the worldview of Dakota, Ojibwe and other Indigenous nations. The workshops emphasize respect, curiosity and hands-on exploration.
“In my life, I have encountered people from a different culture than mine and my life becomes more interesting,” Sandell said. “This might enrich the community in appreciating the differences … We might find some commonalities, but I think we can celebrate the differences.”
Rebecka Fregoso, an MSU sophomore, said helping prepare the All My Relatives educational boxes gave her insight into how she wants to approach students once she’s a teacher.
“It will give students an opportunity to learn what America was before it was America,” she said of the project. “It also teaches them how there are different cultures and ethnicities and it teaches them to be respectful of others and the proper way to learn about history and the current day.”
Rachel Gemlo, the Children’s Museum director of programming, said her staff is happy to provide a space for the All My Relatives mini workshops.
“We are thrilled to open our doors to this learning opportunity,” she said. “The lessons, stories and delivery of this content fit our mission and we really enjoy partnering with student groups.”
The MSU elementary education program is sponsoring the museum workshops and received a grant to do so.
For more information about the All My Relatives mini workshop series, you can reach Sandell at 507-389-5713.