Gratitude from our Co-Directors
Mary Anne and Cenoch Quiroz
It has been a year of humbling lessons and growth.We are infinitely grateful for the love, support and guidance we have received this past year as we continue to ground our roots.
We are proud to elevate our work in arts and activism as we, along with the collective members, board, staff and community partners at Indigenous Roots continue to: create accessible pathways to build generational wealth against displacement; lift up youth voice and intergenerational engagement; facilitate courageous and compassionate conversations through storytelling to process our traumas for radical healing; and of course provide culturally relevant space and opportunities.
Our community will continue to grow and blossom as we nurture our roots and build community power together. Oh! And we bought the building! Because of your contributions, we are happy and honored to celebrate another year!
- MAQ & Sergio
2018 Impact
In 2018, with our community from all four directions and our collective passion for arts and culture, we addressed the following themes :
Holding space for Conversations addressing colorism and racial equity
Artwork by Alexis Griffin
Aspects of Colorism, pop up exhibit by KAYSC Youth Research Team of the Science Museum of Minnesota
Building Culturally Relevant Civic and community engagement
Break Out the Vote event hosted by Indigenous Roots and Cypherside
Lifting youth voice and intergenerational engagement
Water Protector Murals of our East Side youth popping up on East 7th Street with GoodSpace Murals, Dayton's Bluff Community Council and MN350: Building a Climate Movement in Minnesota.
6K+
community members and artists accessed and/or utilized Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center
As our community is in constant transformation, Indigenous Roots Cultural Center has become a central civic hub for many from all four directions. Not only has our space expanded physically this year, so has our community, our capacity to support new and established organizations, and most importantly, our hearts and ability to imagine.
30+
organizations in need of space utilized INdigenous roots Cultural Center
This year at Indigenous Roots, we witnessed the work of our community artists, healers, activators, and agitators become more grounded in the space as they continue to lead movements for social justice.
10+
partnerships with 7th St small businesses and organizations
In addition to buying the building as a way to resist displacement, we developed partnerships with small businesses, organizations, and the City of St Paul, to co-create a cultural corridor on 7th Street.
Arts and Cultural Events
In Xochitl In Kuikatl | The Flower, The Song
Mexica New Year Festival: Chikuaze Tochtli (6 Rabbit)
Game On “Old School vs New School”
Indigenous Roots Night at Isla Tuliro
IRoots Art Crawl
Preview Party! Rooted at Indigenous Roots
Grounding Our Roots: Indigenous Roots Anniversary
Father’s Day World Cup Brunch
Mihkailhwitl | Dia De Los Muertos en Nuestro Barrio
Holiday Art Sale | Salon Mexico
Social Justice Events
Resistance Art Build: Banner and Poster Making
March! - No Human Being is Illegal
Beyond DACA! Permanent protection for all!
March for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Lake Street Arts! Solidarity and Spring Celebration
Everything is a Circle
Break Out the Vote
All our Neighbors: Homelessness on the Eastside
“Amazing night at Break Out the Vote! With these young people taking the reins, our country is in great hands!”
Art Exhibits
Salon Mexico Artist Series: Heder Contreras Rúiz &
Salon Mexico Artist Series: Ricardo Vanegas Valencia
Salon Mexico Artist Series: Colina, Ibarra, Vazquez
Salon Mexico artist Series: Mario Acosta
Earth and Water Exhibit | Aratti
Hijos de Reyes | Kalaka
saint paul public schools honors visual art exhibition
aspects of colorism
Community Collaborations
Park and Lake with ten thousand things
Next Step Fund Grant Workshop with mrac
Springboard Pop-Up Artist Resource Center
Mixtape Choreographers’ Panel Discussion
ADYC Ninijanisag Community Dance Night
Aspects of Colorism with Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center
Pho vs. Khob Poob Nplooj Radio’s Spring Fundraiser
Black, Brown, and Native Bodies in “Performance:” A Conversation
Draggin’ on the Eastside: The Art of Drag
Cypher Side Open Styles Dance Battles + Fundraiser
Bombazo, Kumbe, BombaFit With Karaya Guey
Creando en las calles / Creating in the Streets
Cypher Side Spring Recital/Show
spps Honors Visual Art Exhibition
American Indian Family Center
Cypher Side 1 Year Anniversary Jam
7 Fires EP Preview Performance
Juracan: The Jibaro and his Three Sons Performance
Slow Roll St. Paul - East Side With MN Lynx Sylvia Fowles
carryon home project at iroots artcrawl
Call out to St Paul Youth - Let’s Meet
War In Paradise MN Dance Off
indigenous peoples day at metropolitan state university
Sari Jeans Installation, Ananya Dance Theatre
Yoga with Indigenous Lotus, Victoria Marie, Wachinhin Maza Winyan (Iron Plume Woman)
Preserving the Power of Resistance through Storytelling and Song, Witness for Peace Midwest
Kumbe, BombaFit
Mosaic Art, Good Space Murals & Natchez Beaulieu
DON’t you feel it too? with Ayeeyo
Ayeeyo Mural, Movement, and Storytelling Project
Clapback Cabaret Series, FAWK
Zoongide’win Living the 7 Teachings
Book Release Party: When Everything Was Everything
Tribal Funk: Hip Hop Fundraiser Jam, Street Stops and Mountain Tops
Zumba with Youvana
Youth Asian Dance Try-Out! yes dance academy
Planting SEADS Book Launch & Reception, The SEAD Project
neighborhood pop up art with juxtaposition
Red Running into Water, New Native Theatre Red
Thank you to our community partners!
Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli
Cypher Side
Bomba Karaya Guey
Filipinx for Immigrant rights and Racial justice in Minnesota - FIRM
Conferencia Alianza Latinx
Welcome new community partners!
International indigenous youth council - twin cities chapter
Mama sin verüenza
Grupo Folklorico Esencia Mexicana
Away Runakuna
YES DANCE ACADEMY
Thank you to our financial supporters!
East Side
Funders Group
A special thank you to all of our individual donors who generously gave their energy, artistry, time, blessings, and financial support.