We started our all important Truth Telling (TT) program and BIPOC fellowship to better reflect the students we serve, while celebrating diversity as our strength. TTS embarks on collecting the untold and silenced stories of the countless contributions and sacrifices BIPOC Minnesotans have made to our state’s development.

Our inaugural focus was Dakota and Anishinaabe Narratives to shine a light on the most difficult and complex corners of our past, while celebrating the traditions and cultures that go back centuries. A collection of over thirty stories was created and includes topics such as how we can be better stewards of the earth and its resources, human resistance and solidarity. You’ll also learn about the beautiful and rich Dakota language. Stories are curated into PreK-6 curriculum (scalable to 12th grade and adults) for use throughout Minnesota classrooms and communities.

We’re currently researching and developing African American Narratives to document the stories only known at family dining room tables and books rarely in mainstream America. We’re exploring the 1800’s through the Civil Rights Movement to enlighten the truth from our sordid past and spotlight both the struggles and achievements that paved the way to today.  Healing requires a reckoning with the past, where through it we showcase the constant resilience and hope of Blacks in Minnesota. 

Our growing anthology is collected to begin shedding light on details missing from our Eurocentric textbooks and collective knowledge. Truth Telling is a living program from it’s lens viewpoint and story collection. It gives us our greatest purpose. As funding is secured, we aim to illuminate other BIPOC histories that culminate in new PreK-8 curriculum, high school career learning and community activities. We never want generations to again say We didn’t know, or use ignorance to further perpetuate hatred, racism or inequities. Simply put, we must do and be better. 

Our goal for the BIPOC fellowship program is to increase employment opportunities in education which are disproportionately white women in Minnesota (90%). We believe it is only through purposeful action, training and empowerment that the gap is lessened and teachers mirror their students.  We encourage all interested parties to apply today.

We are proud to feature artwork on our website by local Indigenous artist Madeline Miigwan Johnson, Indigenous emerging artist Lilly Pierce, and artist Stella Healey.