Youth Host "Through Our Eyes, Growing Our Way" Exhibit

On Nov. 30, AICHO hosted the "Through Our Eyes: Growing Our Way" Indigenous Youth Exhibition Artists' Reception which featured the photography of Gimaajii Housing Youth and Duluth Indigenous Youth. They all represented so well at the reception! We recognized each of them on stage and they got a chance to say a few words about their experience in the photography class and exhibition. Their families and community members were beaming!

One of the Gimaajii Youth, Patience, was interviewed by Minnesota Native News and she also spoke with the Isd 709 Duluth Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Jeff Horton about her photos and he invited her to speak at the next Duluth Public Schools School Board Meeting! She is 9 years old.

Our Indigenous youth are important and they need to be recognized. Thanks to all who came out to the reception for them. The exhibit will be up until the end of December so stop by. The calendar featuring their photos is for sale at Indigenous First: Art & Gift Shop. Thanks to Kristine Sorensen from In Progress for speaking at the event and for facilitating the week long summer photography class with the students. Thanks also to the amazing 7 student volunteers from The College of St. Scholastica's Native American Club!
The Gimaajii Healthy Families Initiative received support from the following foundations in 2018: Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation, United Way, Ordean Foundation, The Sheltering Arms Foundation, Center for Prevention Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, and Essentia Health.
Photos by Ivy Vainio and Patience Thompson