Youth leaders in D.C.
MIGIZI  sent 12 youth leaders from  Edison, South High, Fridley, Farmington, White Bear Lake, and Augsburg Fairview Academy schools to Washington D.C. to join the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) American Indian Youth Legislative Summit on Feb. 10, 2019. This experience for youth is part of the recent Administration for American Indians I-LEAD grant awarded in October of 2018. In DC, they networked with current Tribal and United  States elected leaders on Capitol Hill to discuss pressing issues and further their understanding of Tribal sovereignty and government relations. They had a blast exploring the National Mall and the local DC scene.

”˜Vessel”' reception at Norway House

Norway House invites the community to kick off the 2019 gallery season with “Vessel” on Friday, March 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. (913 East Franklin Ave.)

“Vessel” features two contemporary Danish ceramic artists, Michael Geertsen and Morten Løbner Espersen in tandem with Minnesota woodcarver, Mike Loeffler, as they explore traditional craft with a contemporary twist. Enjoy food and drink at the Kaffebar. Doors open at 5 p.m. and there will be a short program featuring artist Mike Loeffler at 6:30 p.m. “Vessel” is on display from Jan. 25 to March 10.

Cuban Film Festival planned

It”'s now been four years since the beginning of relaxation of relations between the United States and Cuba. However, some policies have been significantly reversed under President Trump, and the U.S. economic blockade continues unabated. Until it ends, the annual Cuban Film Festival in Minneapolis will have two goals: to offer Minnesotans a chance to learn about and appreciate Cuban film and culture and to remind our supporters of the onerous burden that the blockade inflicts on the Cuban people. 

The festival is scheduled for six consecutive Thursdays, Feb. 21 to March 28, in partnership with MSP Film Society and with ICAIC (Instituto Cubano de Arte e Industria Cinematográficos), the Cuban Film Institute. In addition, the festival will celebrate two important anniversaries, 60 years of the Cuban Revolution and 60 years of ICAIC.

The lineup of films includes: “The Forbidden Shore” by Ron Chapman, “Los Buenos Demonios (The Good Demons)” by Gerardo Chijona, “Cuban Women in Revolution” by Maria Torrellas, “Sergio and Sergei” by Ernesto Daranas, “El Regreso (The Return)” by Blanca Rosa Blanco, and “Ghost Town to Havana” by Eugene Corr and Roberto Chile. Screenings will take place at 7 p.m. each Thursday at MSP Film Society at St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 SE Main St.   

 On Thursday, March 21, Blanca Rosa Blanco, a long-time star of Cuban film and television, will be present at the screening of El Regreso, her directorial debut.

 A discussion will follow the first five films and planning for a closing night party is in the works.

Tickets are $8 general admission and $6 for students, seniors and MSP Film Society members and can be bought at the box office or online at mspfilm.org. Trailers and further information are available at  mspfilm.org/10th-annual-cuban-film-festival and at www.minnesotacubacommittee.org.

Mail delivery delayed

Mail delivery has run into some hiccups across South Minneapolis, due to a shortage of postal carriers and snow- and ice-related injuries that have temporarily sidelined more than two dozen carriers. Because the Postal Service is a federal agency, the city has been in touch with the offices of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, as well is working the city”'s postmaster. This situation also underscores the importance of clearing sidewalks and walkways of snow and ice. 

MIGIZI welcomes new staff 

Jane Zamora is the new Academic Support Specialist at MIGIZI Communications. Her given name is Zoongizi Ikwe (Strong Women). She is an enrolled member of Red Lake Nation, and was born and raised in Minneapolis. Her mother was born and raised in Red Lake; and her father was Mexican and grew up in Montana. 

“I started my career in 1988 working with Native youth in Minneapolis which lead me to work for Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) Indian Education, St. Joseph Home for Children, PACER Center, Supervisor of the Crow Head Start Program, and Anoka-Hennepin School District Indian Education,” she said. “Some of my other accomplishments include serving as the President of JOM for MPS, the Richard Green Advisory Council for MPS, Parent Participatory Evaluation team for MPS, and a board member of MIEA (Minnesota Indian Education Association). 

“My passion is to show our Indigenous youth that success is possible and to continue to strive, no matter how sharp those curves can get for them.”

Neighborhoods 2020

Submit your feedback on the Neighborhoods 2020 framework recommendations for the future of neighborhood organizations. The recommendations cover programming, funding, and governance for these groups starting in 2020 and beyond. The city is gathering comments from community members through March 31. 

Recommendations are designed to support key goals, including ensuring organizations reflect the communities they serve, simplified participation for all, and fiscal responsibility. The proposed measures include developing an outreach plan, accessing competitive funding based alignment with city-identified priorities, and promoting smart spending, among many others. Submit feedback via email to neighborhoods2020@minneapolismn.gov.

Recycling changes

No. 6 plastics and any black plastic are no longer accepted for recycling in Minneapolis. No. 6 plastics are already prohibited for food service uses by Minneapolis”' Green to Go ordinance, and black plastic containers are difficult to sort and can cause contamination in the recycling process. 

Changes in the international, national and local recycling markets have made it more important than ever to place only the accepted items in recycling carts. Some of items commonly found in recycling carts that are not accepted include:

”¢ Paper coffee cups, plates and takeout containers ”“ note that these may be able to be put in your organics recycling cart if labeled properly

Ӣ Plastic bags, bubble wrap and plastic film

Ӣ Large plastic items

Ӣ Metal pots, pans and scrap

”¢ Paper egg cartons, napkins and paper towels ”“ note that these may be put in the organics recycling cart.

A quarter of Minneapolis”' garbage could be composted. Call Solid Waste & Recycling at 612-673-2917 for more information.

Ecological plan

The first ever draft Minneapolis Parks Ecological System Plan has opened for 45-day comment period and will close on April 1. The plan sets a vision for making more environmentally friendly parks and public land in Minneapolis so that the city can be cleaner, greener, cooler and more efficient. 

First E. African specialist

Numan Shaikh is the Minneapolis Neighborhood and Community Relations department”'s full time East African Community Specialist. Numan initially joined NCR in a temporary capacity, and will now replace Abdirashid Ahmed, who moved on from his role in November of 2018.

Solar Egg opens

Reflect: Bigert & Bergström is a new, limited-time American Swedish Institute experiential exhibition showcasing Solar Egg, a social sculpture and a working sauna. See it in the ASI outdoor Courtyard March 6 to April 28, (2600 Park Ave.  To schedule sauna sessions visit ASImn.org.

Puppet Works opens at HOBT March 15

Tara Fahey, Akiko, Kallie Melvin, and Andrew Young will premiere four original puppet works at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (HOBT) this March, as part of HOBT”'s artist incubator program, Puppet Lab. This year”'s performances explore themes of identity, ancestry, and legacy, through the lens of the artist”'s personal journeys. 

“These remarkable artists have been working hard since August and now they are ready for you the audience. I have been honored to support these four visionary artists,” says HOBT Director of Performance Programs, Alison Heimstead. 

This will be Puppet Lab”'s eight year of supporting radical, genre-expanding performances. The Puppet Lab program is directed by Alison Heimstead and is made possible by generous support from the Jerome Foundation. More at www.hobt.org.

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