St. Louis Park Community Education

Elections are around the corner, are you ready? Did you know there is an election November 5, 2019 for Mayor and City Council at large? Do you want to help your neighbors and friends to vote? Early voting starts on September 20, 2019 at City Hall. Get a behind the scenes look on elections and learn key facts about organizing your community to become voters. We will also cover Ranked-choice voting in depth so you understand how your vote will count. Join this FREE class from the City of St. Louis Park!

This series is taught by Dr. Elizabeth Rowan Keith, a professor of Native American Studies. We will watch a film about each topic and have a discussion on how these pieces of our past have created the world we know today. Each session qualifies for 3.0 hours General CEU’s, certificates available at class. Sponsored by the Dept. of Teaching and Learning with St. Louis Park Public Schools.Tuesday, September 24, The Dakota Conflict: Explore the events surrounding the Dakota War of 1862, a pivotal period in Minnesota history. Learn how that era shaped people and places and why it remains relevant today.Thursday, October 3, Code Talkers: During World War I & II, the United States military recruited and collaborated with men who spoke indigenous languages to create a set of codes and encryption never deciphered by enemy cryptographers. Code Talkers have been credited with turning the tide of both wars.Thursday, October 10, American Indian Lands: Complicated by Federal law and action, ownership and use of Native lands is rife with confusion, corruption and conflict.Thursday, October 24, The Women in the Sand: Follow two feisty elders of Death Valley's Timbisha Shoshone as they battle their entire lives with the Federal Government and their own tribal council to preserve their ancient culture.Thursday, November 7, Spiral of Fire: Explore the challenges of the Eastern Cherokee of North Carolina in preserving land, culture and identity.Thursday, November 14, Rumble: Indians who Rocked the World: Indigenous influence rests at the foundation of popular American music, ultimately shaping the soundtracks of the world.Thursday, December 5, Songs of the Spirit: Native American musicians Joanne Shenandoah, R. Carlos Nakai and Bill Miller join The New Mexico Symphony Orchestra to connect all people across time and space through music of the 21st century.Thursday, December 12, Maria Tallchief: The first American prima ballerina, Maria Tallchief, was born to the Osage in Oklahoma. After returning from the role and international performance, she became director of the Chicago City Ballet and is credited with breaking barriers for others in dance.Thursday, January 14, Te Ata: This film is based on the life of Mary Thompson Fisher, an honored storyteller of the Chickasaw.Thursday, January 30, Skins: Produced, directed and performed by Native people, this story takes place on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Police officer, Rudy Yellowshirt, navigates a land, culture and family affected by painful history. Ultimately, it is the story of the power of love between two brothers.