Minneapolis, MN 55404 –
On Thursday, December 29, 2022 Wicoie Nandagikendan, a Dakota and Ojibwe language immersion preschool will host an evening of inspiration and hope. The line-up is an impressive one; *Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan (White Earth), *Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Anne McKeig (White Earth), AIM Executive Director Lisa Bellanger (Leech Lake Band of the Ojibwe), *Executive Director Women Winning Nevada Littlewolf (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) and Minneapolis City Council President Andrea Jenkins.
This will be a hybrid event with the VIP reception an in-person event and our general admission will be accessed virtually. The VIP reception will be catered by “Owamni.” The James Beard Foundation recently named, “Owamni” as the best restaurant in America. Dana Thompson co-owner of Owamni will be entertaining our guests as she is also a jazz singer. A women’s hand drum will also perform.
Wicoie Nandaginkendan is the first indigenous urban preschool immersion program created in Minneapolis. Wicoie Nandaginkendan offers a half day immersion experience comparable to the preschool lessons in the English classrooms, but they are taught entirely in Dakota or Ojibwe languages. Children who attend our program are found to be testing higher than those who are not in an immersion class. Participation in our program will increase the student’s positive cultural identity, self-esteem, cultural self-efficacy, creativity and other skills that helps increase their critical thinking skills, mental flexibility, and sensitivity to others. Our students upon entry do not need to know Dakota or Ojibwe to be enrolled.
Tickets: VIP reception $125 General Admission $40. The VIP reception begins at 6pm. Open bar upon arrival. Parking is located behind the center. The event venue is the Day Block Event Center located at 1103 S. Washington Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55415.
For Tickets CLICK HERE