Looking for a way to introduce American Indian writers into your classroom?  The Minnesota Humanities Center will conduct a two-day workshop addressing the literary traditions and contributions of American Indians with an emphasis on Minnesota tribes and authors.  This workshop will focus on three themes: history of the literary tradition; how literary traditions change based on space and place; and contributions of American Indian traditions to Minnesota and American culture.

Heid E. Erdrich A member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibway, Heid grew up in Wahpeton, North Dakota. She earned degrees from Dartmouth College and The Johns Hopkins University Writing Seminars. She and her sister Louise Erdrich co-founded a non-profit clearinghouse for indigenous language-centered literature called Birchbark House. Heid has authored three poetry collections including National Monuments from Michigan State University Press and the soon to be re-issued Fishing for Myth from New Rivers Press. She also authored The Mother’s Tongue, Salt Publishing’s Earthworks series, and co-edited Sister Nations: Native American Women on Community, Minnesota Historical Society Press. Heid has been recipient of two Minnesota State Arts Board fellowships, awards from The Loft Literary Center, the Archibald Bush Foundation, and has four times been nominated for the Minnesota Book Award which she won in 2009.  You can buy her books at www.birchbarkbooks.com

Robin Nelson, Ojibwe from White Earth, grew up north of Fond du Lac where hunting, fishing, and trapping were a part of her family's traditional way of life. After attending the University of Minnesota she worked in the Health Care industry for 25 years then changed careers by becoming Elementary Culture Advisor/Teacher for Anoka-Hennepin Indian Education, a position she held for 15 years.  Retiring last year, Robin now works as a consultant creating Learning Trunks as a way to help teachers teach American Indian culture in a respectful way.  She also leads teacher workshop on a number of topics including storytelling, literature, toys and games and art.