This month’s Welcoming Community newsletter explores the subject of cultural equity. Within the context of belonging and inclusion, cultural equity plays a vital role in creating a community where every person feels valued and connected. Northeast Minnesota is home to a dynamic cultural heritage that encompasses the traditions of our Native American and Indigenous peoples, a diverse mix of European heritage, and the vibrant, growing cultural influence from regions like Latin and South America, Africa, and Asia. As our communities continue to evolve and become increasingly diverse, fostering cultural equity becomes more essential than ever.
Cultural equity means more than just celebrating diversity. It requires actively acknowledging and addressing past and ongoing inequities toward cultural preservation and expression. By making an active effort to recognize and value diverse cultural contributions, local governments, organizations, and community members can help to advocate for practices that truly reflect the rich cultural heritage of all who call the Northland home.
Further welcoming efforts around cultural equity might include:
- Supporting initiatives that promote the cultural preservation of Native and Indigenous language, history, and traditional ways.
- Creating or seeking out opportunities for cross-cultural dialogues where community members can build cultural appreciation and understanding.
- Amplifying diverse cultural representation in public spaces through mediums such as art, cuisine, and storytelling.
- Advocating for policies that address past and present cultural inequities and offer protections for a variety of cultural practices in civic and spiritual life.
Considering the relationship between inclusion and cultural equity is essential to equity across the Northland. Visit the Resources to Explore section to learn more about some current initiatives and stories around cultural equity in the Northland.
“The defense of cultural diversity is an ethical imperative, inseparable from respect for human dignity. It implies a commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the rights of persons belonging to minorities and those of Indigenous peoples.” – UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity
Continued Learning 
The goal of the Welcoming Community program is to provide the community with continued opportunities for learning and connection related to topics relevant to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our region. In our monthly updates, we highlight a specific equity topic and provide resources related to the monthly theme.
The theme for the month of November is Cultural Equity. When exploring the learnings in the Resources to Explore section below, we ask you to consider the following question:
“In terms of cultural equity across the Northland, where have we come from, where are we now, and what steps do we need to take to reach an equitable future?”
Resources to Explore
Local Initiatives Support Corporation: The Power of Arts and Culture: the Heart of Community Health, Revitalization, and Inclusion
Americans for the Arts: Statement on Cultural Equity
University of Minnesota Extension: Historical trauma and cultural healing: Video series
University of the People: What Is Cultural Diversity And Why Is It Important?
Cultural Fluency Associates LLP: Developing the Human Potential to be Culturally Fluent
Minnesota Compass: Cultural communities
Cultural Destinations: Cultural Museums [of Minnesota]: Celebrating Our Common Humanity
Explore Minnesota: Where and How to Experience Minnesota’s Vibrant Immigrant Cultures
Native Governance Center: Cultural Appropriation and Wellness Guide
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Welcoming: In the News!
MPR News: Photos: We saw you Rock Your Mocs!
WDIO: Celebrating Asian culture at ADAA’s Asian Nightlife Under the Stars cultural show
Cloquet Pine Journal: Fond du Lac Band opens agriculture classroom
Duluth News Tribune: Duluth Chamber makes history, raises bar in 154th year
Fox 21: Annual “International Taste of UMD” Event Celebrates Global Food Dishes
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Welcoming Events Across the Northland
Bringing Light to Chisholm
December 5, 2024, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Chisholm Public Library, Chisholm, MN
Learn more here
Peace-Making in the Twin Ports Community
December 5, 2024, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
The College of St. Scholastica Mitchell Auditorium, Duluth, MN
Learn more here
Weihnachtsfest
December 7, 2024
Carl Schuster Memorial Park, Biwabik, MN
Learn more here
Julebyen
December 7 – 8, 2024
Knife River, MN
Learn more here
Duluth Winter Village
December 7 – 8, 2024
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, Duluth, MN
Learn more here
Chigami-Ziibing: Ojibwe Placenames and Perspectives
Along the St. Louis River Estuary
January 8, 2025, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Lake Superior Estuarium, Superior, WI
Learn more here
13 Moons Gichi-Manidoo Giizis Pow-Wow
January 17 – 18, 2025
Black Bear Casino Resort, Carlton, MN
Learn more here
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Invite a Friend
If you know others in your community who are interested in participating with Welcoming Community programming, please share this page so they can learn more & Click Here to join our email list.
Contact Northspan’s Welcoming Community Program Coordinator Amber Lewis at alewis@northspan.org with any questions.