Location: North Dakota

The North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance comprises members of the five Native Nations within the borders of the state, and aims to reclaim the narrative of Indigenous communities and build economies through tourism.

They were brought together by Creative Community Leadership Institute, a cohort program for local leaders in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Participants pursued community-engaged projects that addressed systems change, cultural practice, and community service.

From 2019-2022, Arts Midwest served as operating partner for the Bush Foundation’s Community Creativity Cohort program. This partnership provided an unparalleled opportunity to connect with 40 incredible organizations who use creativity to connect and strengthen their communities. Here’s what we learned along the way.

The Snow Country Prison Japanese American Internment Memorial acknowledges Japanese Americans incarcerated at Fort Lincoln, a prison camp in what is now the United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck.

In early November 2023, North Dakota Council on the Arts welcomed Arts Midwest and fellow Midwest state arts agencies to Bismarck for an engaging summit on our partnership and shared commitment to the region.

The intention is to bring awareness about the atrocities of the federal Indian boarding schools and to start the healing journey for survivors, their descendants, and extended families. 

Colors, traditions, and prayers are all pieced into Benson’s star quilts. Her craft has been encouraged by the women in her family.

Standing Rock hosted Sir Timoti Kāretu, a highly regarded Indigenous language warrior, on his farewell tour and brought people together to connect on the significance of language revitalization.

The Sacred Pipe Resource Center, a Native community center in Mandan, North Dakota, empowers Native artists to become catalysts for change to help heal their communities.

From a 138-year-old historic church to a vacant tube manufacturing building, these projects across the Midwest are staking out space for creativity to shine.