The Bemidji Community

We provide a number of events, opportunities and resources to help preserve and celebrate Ojibwe language, culture and community. In addition to the variety of services specifically for American Indian students, Bemidji State offers support and educational opportunities to the community in which we live. The top resources and services include:

Recurring Events

Moccasin Game
The AIRC sponsors a regular meeting every second and fourth Friday of the month for those interested in learning about and participating in the traditional Ojibwe moccasin game. Open to people of all ages.

Language Tables
The AIRC and its staff and students support area Ojibwe language tables. Red Lake Nation College runs an Ojibwe language table every Thursday at 6:00pm in Red Lake, Minnesota. The American Indian OIC runs one every Wednesday at 6:00pm in Bemidji, Minnesota.

American Indian Summits
The AIRC sponsors two American Indian Summits each year — during the spring and fall semesters. Past summits have included:

  • “American Indian Entrepreneur Summit”
  • “Indian Education: Yesterday & Today” — selected in celebration of BSU’s 90th birthday (1919-2009) and the BSU Indian Studies Departments 40th birthday (1969-2009)
  • “Historical Trauma and the American Indian Experience”
  • Council of Indian Students Annual Pow Wow — Each spring the CIS hold a traditional pow wow at John Glas Fieldhouse. 2018 marked it’ 45th year and featured hand drum exhibitions, drumming and traditional dancing. Pow wows are free and open to public.