Skip to content
73 Results

  • Native American: Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk & Wild Rice Lattes w/ Linda & Luke Black Elk (Southwest)

    Join Luke and Linda Black Elk for a fun and informative plant walk around beautiful Loring Park to highlight the edible and medicinal plants growing all around us! Chef Luke Black Elk will be making some snacks featuring tasty foraged vegetables and all-Indigenous ingredients. Come ready to walk! Don’t forget your water bottle and comfortable shoes! Group meets at Loring Park near Gai Noi. If tour is sold out, please sign up on the waitlist. We will contact you if a tickets become available.
  • Native American: Hocokata Ti Cultural Center Tours of Public Exhibit & Private Collection (Southwest)

    Join us at Hocokata Ti Cultural Center in Shakopee for a guided tour of their exhibit Mdewakanton: Dwellers of Spirit Lake and a tour of their private collections area. Private collections tour is not available to the general public. You will also have a chance to view the "We Are Water" Exhibit . This traveling exhibit examines water issues statewide and in local communities through personal stories, histories, and scientific information. It strengthens Minnesotans’ relationships with water, exposes visitors to new perspectives, and increases participation in water stewardship activities. * 9:00 am Doors Open for opportunity to view the "We Are Water" traveling exhibit * 10:00 am Guided Tour Begins Tour meets at Hocokata Ti Cultural Center located at 2300 Tiwahe Cir, Shakopee, MN 55379. Transportation is on your own. Ages 16+. If the tour is full, please add your name to the waitlist. We will notify you if a spot opens.
  • Native American: Minneapolis American Indian Center Tour (Southwest)

    Join us for a guided tour of the newly renovated Minneapolis American Indian Center. Meet at the Minneapolis American Indian Center located at 1530 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404. Transportation is on your own. Ages 16+. If the tour is sold out, please add your name to the waitlist. We will notify you if a spot opens.
  • Native American: Navigating Dakota Legacy Cruise Through Time & Culture Along the Mississippi River (Southwest)

    Led by Dakota people, this cultural cruise along the Mississippi River takes you on a transformative voyage through time connecting the past and present of Dakota life. With each stop at cultural landmarks and sacred sites, we will listen to ancestral teachings and stories that have lasted through the ages, gaining a deeper appreciation for the Dakota people's profound relationships with the river, land and the stars above. As we navigate the mighty waters of the Mississippi River, our journey will help others see the river through Dakota eyes. From ancient legends to pivotal moments in history, the boat becomes a floating classroom where captivating stories come to life. We will return to shore with new understandings of the harmony between the Dakota people and the rivers and lands they call home. Dakota guides will include Marlena Myles, Fern Renville, and Dawí Westerman. Meet at the Watergate Marina, 2500 Crosby Farm Road, Saint Paul Minnesota, 55116. Crosby Farm Road is at the intersection of Shepherd Road and Gannon Road. Transportation to the Watergate Marina is on your own. Beverages will be available to purchase on board the boat. You may bring your own food. Ages 21+. If the tour is full, please add your name to the waitist. We will let you know if spots become available.
  • Native American: Owamni by The Sioux Chef 5-Course Tasting Dinner - Feb 4 (Southwest)

    Join us for a 5-course private tasting dinner at Owamni. 5:30-6 pm. Social gathering time 6:-6:15 pm. Speakers 6:15-6:30 pm. First courses served We are privileged to have 3 experts of Indigenous foods joining us: Tim Clemons of Ironwood Foraging Linda Black Elk, Education Manager at Indigenous Food Labs. Luke Black Elk (Tetowan Lakota, Itazipco Band) renowned chef, food sovereignty activist, and teacher of traditional plant uses, gardening, food preservation, and foraging. Private events at Owamni are special because the culinary team curates a menu specifically for our group based on seasonality of ingredients, sourcing and any dietary preferences. Most of the items that are served are exclusive to our group and are not served in the upstairs dining room on the regular menu. "At Owamni, we like to use foods that are from this region, such as bison, venison, rabbit, wild rice, and corn. Foods we do not use in our establishment are wheat flour, dairy, refined sugars, or any foods that are not native to North America. Not only is this a clean and healthy way to eat, it is also a learning experience about how our Ancestors ate before we were colonized. One of the main parts of the mission at Owamni is the revitalization of our culture and our Indigenous food practices and how we can show our guests what it feels like to eat a full meal and leave feeling energized and whole." Includes dinner and gratuity. (House red /white wine and iced tea available to purchase directly from restaurant). NOTE: Registration for this event is only available through Minneapolis Community Education. (Please do not call Owamni.) Owamni is located at 420 1st St S, Minneapolis, MN 55401. If event is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.
  • Native American: Owamni by The Sioux Chef 5-Course Tasting Dinner - Nov 4 (Southwest)

    Join us for a 5-course private tasting dinner at Owamni. 5:30-6 pm. Social gathering time 6:-6:15 pm. Speakers 6:15-6:30 pm. First courses served We are privileged to have 3 experts of Indigenous foods joining us: Tim Clemons of Ironwood Foraging Linda Black Elk, Education Manager at Indigenous Food Labs. Luke Black Elk (Tetowan Lakota, Itazipco Band) renowned chef, food sovereignty activist, and teacher of traditional plant uses, gardening, food preservation, and foraging. Private events at Owamni are special because the culinary team curates a menu specifically for our group based on seasonality of ingredients, sourcing and any dietary preferences. Most of the items that are served are exclusive to our group and are not served in the upstairs dining room on the regular menu. "At Owamni, we like to use foods that are from this region, such as bison, venison, rabbit, wild rice, and corn. Foods we do not use in our establishment are wheat flour, dairy, refined sugars, or any foods that are not native to North America. Not only is this a clean and healthy way to eat, it is also a learning experience about how our Ancestors ate before we were colonized. One of the main parts of the mission at Owamni is the revitalization of our culture and our Indigenous food practices and how we can show our guests what it feels like to eat a full meal and leave feeling energized and whole." Includes dinner and gratuity. (House red /white wine and iced tea available to purchase directly from restaurant). NOTE: Registration for this event is only available through Minneapolis Community Education. (Please do not call Owamni.) Owamni is located at 420 1st St S, Minneapolis, MN 55401. If event is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.
  • Native American: Sacred Sites Tour w/ Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs (Southwest)

    Led by Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs (Mohican) this tour offers an opportunity to learn about Minnesota history from a Native perspective through story-telling and experiencing the sites in silence / meditation / reflection. We visit sites located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, what the Dakota refer to as Bdote, or “meeting place of rivers” including Fort Snelling State Park, Dakota Internment Camp following The Dakota-U.S. War, Pilot Knob Hill, a traditional burial ground. All paths are accessible. Meet at Church of St. Peter, 1405 Sibley Memorial Highway, St. Paul, MN 55120 Group will carpool/caravan between the sites. Transportation to the Church of St. Peter is on your own. Ages 16+. Bring your own bag lunch. There are bathrooms at the Church of St. Peter and a portable bathroom at the second stop. If the tour is full, please add your name to the waitlist. We will notify you if a spot opens.
  • Northeast Tea House: Japanese vs. Chinese Green Teas (Southwest)

    Japanese and Chinese green teas have quite distinct flavor profiles, making them seem like to separate categories of tea altogether. Find out why in this guided tasting and lesson, where we'll tease apart the differences in processing and flavor between these two vast and hugely popular types of tea. Whether you're new to tea or a tea connoisseur, Northeast Tea House creates a welcoming place to introduce you to the world of East Asian teas and traditions. Space is limited. Meet at Northeast Tea House located at 224 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414. If class is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available or if we schedule additional dates.
  • Northeast Tea House: Matcha & Its Many Cultivars (Southwest)

    Most matcha on the market is a blend of cultivars, with little information available to the consumer as to what they are purchasing - it's like going shopping for wine and finding your only options are red or white...wouldn't you want to know the grape? Join Simon for an in-depth lesson on the cultivars he uses to create Northeast Tea House's matcha. Learn about matcha's history, farming practices, what cultivars are, how they are developed, and the flavor characteristics of each - all while sampling each type as you learn. Space is limited. Meet at Northeast Tea House located at 224 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414. If class is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available or if we schedule additional dates.
  • Northeast Tea House: Types of Oolong (Southwest)

    Join Simon, the owner of Northeast Tea House, for a deep dive into the diverse world of oolong tea. Oolong is, broadly speaking, any tea that falls on the spectrum between black and green, which leaves open lots of room for interpretation and creativity. As a result, each tea-producing region has developed its own unique style of oolong. We'll taste our way through different regions and styles, learning as we go. Whether you're new to tea or a tea connoisseur, Northeast Tea House creates a welcoming place to introduce you to the world of East Asian teas and traditions. Space is limited. Meet at Northeast Tea House located at 224 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414. If class is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available or if we schedule additional dates.
  • Orfield Laboratories Tour: The Quietest Place on Earth & The World's First Digital Recording Studio (Southwest)

    Immerse yourself in Orfield Laboratories Inc., which is otherwise known as “The Quietest Place on Earth” (Guinness 2005, 2012, 2021). During this tour, you will experience the musical background of the building, the historic Sound 80 Studios space, which has since been recognized as “The World’s First Digital Recording Studio” (Guinness, 2005). You will gain insight into the context and mission of Orfield Labs, the world’s only independent, multi-sensory, design research and consulting firm. As you walk through the building, Orfield’s staff will demonstrate the role of design as related to human perception, in areas such as Lighting and Acoustics, where you will learn experientially about the senses as related to design. All participants will have the opportunity to spend 20 minutes in the anechoic chamber, which Guinness has deemed as “The Quietest Place on Earth.” Orfield Labs is also a Non-Profit Modern Art Gallery, showcasing Tucson Artists, Doug Shelton and Simon Donovan. Orfield also has the largest collection in the world of work by Modern Indigenous-Canadian Artist, Carl Beam. If class is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.
  • Orfield Laboratories: Anechoic Chamber Experience - Group Session in “The Quietest Place on Earth” (Southwest)

    Experience a silent, dark group session in the Orfield Anechoic Chamber, known as “The Quietest Place on Earth” (Guinness 2005, 2012, 2021). Defined as a room that is 100% sound-absorbent, Orfield’s chamber has been recognized internationally for its level of silence, measuring at an average of -13 dBA, with a current record of -24.9 dBA. Regarded by thousands of guests as the most peaceful of places, the chamber has become a place of silence and meditation for people visiting from all over the world. Note: These 1-hour sessions accommodate 5 people in the chamber at once. All participants are asked to remain in the chamber for the full hour, uninterrupted, while remaining quiet and still. If class is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.
  • Orfield Laboratories: Anechoic Chamber Experience - Group Session in “The Quietest Place on Earth” (Southwest)

    Experience a silent, dark group session in the Orfield Anechoic Chamber, known as “The Quietest Place on Earth” (Guinness 2005, 2012, 2021). Defined as a room that is 100% sound-absorbent, Orfield’s chamber has been recognized internationally for its level of silence, measuring at an average of -13 dBA, with a current record of -24.9 dBA. Regarded by thousands of guests as the most peaceful of places, the chamber has become a place of silence and meditation for people visiting from all over the world. Note: These 1-hour sessions accommodate 5 people in the chamber at once. All participants are asked to remain in the chamber for the full hour, uninterrupted, while remaining quiet and still. If class is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.
  • Photographing Street Art: A Walking Tour of the Lyn-Lake Neighborhood (Southwest)

    Street art, both sanctioned and unsanctioned, has seen a significant increase in the city of Minneapolis since the protests of George Floyd’s murder in 2020. Wall murals are commonplace in neighborhoods along East Lake Street, Lake Street, and Lyndale Avenue, and in the heart of downtown along Hennepin Avenue. As the number of murals (and to a lesser degree, graffiti writing) increases, this art form has become closely associated with community identity and well-being. Photographing Street Art will allow you to engage with this art form through the medium of photography. This will occur through a 1.5- to 2-hour walking tour of the Lyn-Lake area, which has one of the most concentrated collections of murals and graffiti in the city of Minneapolis. The tour will be led by Thomas Scott, who has been engaged in shooting street art since 2014. Besides Minneapolis and St. Paul, Scott has photographed street art in Miami, Chicago, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Barcelona, New York City, and other cities. For examples of his work go to @xioping on Instagram. The tour will begin and end in front of Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 West Lake Street. During the tour you will see more than 50 murals completed by local and national artists. Along the way, you will learn about the history and societal role of street art and graffiti. The length of the tour is approximately 2 miles. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring bottled water for appropriate hydration. Finally, bring your cameras or phones. You will take lots of photos! If tour is sold out, please add your name to the waitlist. We will contact you if a spot become available.
  • Paul VanDerWerf (flickr) (CC BY 2.0)

    Public Safety Panel (Southwest)

    Bring your questions for leadership in our public safety sectors to answer in a panel discussion. The panel will include staff from city departments such as Fire, Emergency Management, 911 Dispatch, Public Safety/Police and EMS, moderated by Minneapolis 13th Ward Council Member, Linea Palmisano. Coffee, tea and cookies provided.
  • Readers are Leaders w/ Dr. Artika Tyner of Planting People Growing Justice (Southwest)

    Dr. Artika Tyner will address the nation’s current reading crisis and host a book drive to collect culturally diverse books to support the work of a literacy non -profit, Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute. Join Dr. Tyner from 10 am-Noon on Sat. Sept 6th for her monthly "Readers are Leaders" event at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. Option to bring a culturally-diverse children's book. If the event is sold out, please add your name to the waitist. We will let you know if spots become available.
  • Rondo: Golden Thyme Private Tasting Dinner (Southwest)

    Come celebrate the newly reopened Historic Golden Thyme Restaurant for our private tasting dinner. Hear from owners about the significance of reopening and sample some of their favorite dishes. Limited capacity event. Golden Thyme is located at 934 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104. If event is sold out, please add your names to the waitlist. We will contact you if tickets becomes available. NOTE: After Oct 18 you may transfer your registration. Refunds less $15 if we are able to fill your spot.
  • Shadows & Spirits of the MN State Capitol (Southwest)

    Join a one-hour guided tour of the restored State Capitol through the shadowy rotunda, hallways, and chambers lit with original early 1900s lighting. Along the way, visitors encounter historical "spirits" who tell stories of the Capitol's past. Meet at the Capitol Information and Tour Center located in Room 126 on the first floor to the right side of the main (south) entrance. Register online or call 612.668.3100. If tour is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.
  • Sunset Kayaking on the Mississippi with Paddle Bridge (Southwest)

    This sunset kayaking tour begins and ends at the Boom Island marina, a railroad tie factory-turned green space just northeast of downtown. After a short paddle skill introduction on land, your guide will lead you on a loop of the downtown riverfront. Enjoy one of the most distinctive skyline views from anywhere in town, a visit to a hidden lagoon, and relax above the falls that carved out our city. Our Paddle Bridge guides each have their own style and stories to tell, but all will share in pulling back the veil of time and pointing out various histories written, washed away, and sometimes still visible on the banks of the Mississippi. The route and duration is subject to flexibility depending on weather conditions, water level & flow-rate, and group dynamics. Distance will be reflected accordingly, but averages 3-4 miles on this stretch. **What to bring:** - Dress for water! Wear lightweight clothing that you wouldn’t mind getting wet - hot tip, have a dry layer in your car to change into after just in case. - Hats and sunglasses for the glare off the water - Sunscreen/Water bottle - guides should have extra, but we encourage use of a reusable water bottle to lessen reliance on single-use plastics. - Snacks for your guide - just kidding, but never a bad idea for yourself. Roughly a 1.5 hour paddle 2:00 PM Meet at Boom Island Park 3:30 PM-Approximate Return Time Meet at Boom Island Park. Pay parking lot is available. If the event is sold out, please add your name to the waitist. We will contact you if a tickets become available.
  • The Ford Area C Toxic Waste Dump Walking Tour (Southwest)

    On this tour, you'll learn about Ford Area C, an overlooked toxic waste dump on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Paul left behind by Ford Motor Company. We'll provide an overview of the site's history, updates on the cleanup plan, a view of the pile, and actions you can take to help get it cleaned up. The length of the walk is about 1.5 miles roundtrip on an unpaved, mostly flat trail. Tour led by Friends of the Mississippi River. Meet at Hidden Falls Regional Park - North Gate located at, 1313 Hidden Falls Dr, St Paul, MN 55116. If the tour is full, please add your name to the wait list. We will notify you if spots open up.
  • Tour: Somali Museum of Minnesota (South)

    Join us for a guided tour of the award-winning Somali Museum of Minnesota in South Minneapolis. The museum reaches out to all ages and people of all backgrounds in their mission to preserve, celebrate, and cultivate a new future for Somali culture. Our guide will take you through the life of the nomadic people including the typical dwellings; hand-carved artifacts, tools, and vessels; weavings; traditional arts, and more.
  • Travel Presentation for 2026 Group Tours: Iceland Explorer, Cape Cod & The Islands, Treasures of Ireland (Southwest)

    Join us for an informational presentation about three travel programs sponsored by Minneapolis Community Education. Get the inside scoop about the destination as well as trip details and inclusions. Attending a travel show is informational only. It does not commit you to the trip but allows for great discussions and an opportunity to learn more about these travel opportunities. Feel free to join us. Travel show is free, but advanced registration is required. 2026 Travel Destinations: ICELAND EXPLORER - June 10, 2026 CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS – August 8, 2026 TREASURES OF IRELAND – October 6, 2026 We hope you will consider joining us! NOTE: Travel presentation is free, but advanced registration is required.
  • Trucksploration: Big Rig Vehicle Fair (Southwest)

    Note: Please do not enroll for this "course." It is posted here so details are visible online but attendees can just show up at the gates the day of. Event is free but donations accepted. Thank you. The big rig vehicle fair rolls back to Lake Harriet Upper Campus on Saturday, Sept 20 from 12-3pm. (rain date Sunday). The wildly popular event allows children of all ages to climb on, learn about and explore their favorite big trucks and vehicles. Sit in a fire engine, rescue boat or snowplow, and meet police horses and bomb squad robots. The fire department will be conducting a live burn safety demonstration and hopefully a helicopter will be landing mid-event! Explore 25+ attractions and meet the personnel who protect and serve the Twin Cities. Fire helmets will be given to the first 150 children. Lunch concessions and raffle tickets available for purchase to benefit the Southwest Community Education Advisory Council. Event is free but donations accepted.
  • Visit with an Inmate w/ Peace of Hope - Spring of 2026 (Southwest)

    Statistics show that imprisoned persons who receive visitors are significantly less likely to recidivate upon release (MN DOC 2011). In this workshop we will implement various ways of visiting while highlighting the importance attached to the actual human need for companionship. Pre-requisite: Attending the "Know Your DOC - Dept. of Corrections" session on either Nov 1st or online this winter. . NOTE: DATES AND DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Please register if you are interested. We will be in touch with more information this winter. Carpooling option. Meet at New Branches located at 5011 S 31st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417. If event is sold out, please register for our wait list. We will notify you if tickets become available.