2026- Native Arts Summer Institute

This is a single source posting notification; there are no documents available for download. This is not a Request for Bid (RFB) or Request for Proposal (RFP). The Minnesota Department of Education intends to proceed with hosting the 2026 Native Arts Summer Institute at Grand Casino Mille Lacs. The goal of this institute and cohort is to support educators to create and design meaningful and authentic curriculum about Dakota and Ojibwe arts. It is designed to help arts educators develop skills to implement the 2018 arts standards in 2026-27 school year and beyond.

With the focus of this event, the meeting location is significant, and it is important to be held within a Minnesota Tribal Nation and/or community. This will be the fourth year that the institute is offered. After discussing the event with the Tribal Nations Education Committee (TNEC) it was decided by recommendation to hold the event the first year at the Lower Sioux Indian Community, the second year at the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the third year at the Prairie Island Indian Community. This, the fourth year will be held at Grand Casino Mille Lacs located on the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Tribal Land.

There were a few options sought out for the event. The Mille Lacs Indian Museum is too small, he District I Community Aquatic & Fitness Center does not have sufficient space or technology, the Community Center was unavailable, which left Eddy’s Resort and Grand Casino. Quotes were obtained from both venues, and Grand Casino quote was the more affordable option.

If there are any concerns with this posting, please contact Tiffany Plumley at tiffany.plumley@state.mn.us before May 22, 2026 at 10:00am. Please include the number and title of the posting. Or you may call the helpline at 651-296-2600 (MN Relay Service for people with disabilities: 711 or 1-800-627-3529), or fax your request to 651-297-3996, ATTN: helpline.