HASTINGS, Minn. — A celebration of Indigenous heritage, cultures and art took place in Hastings on Sunday ahead of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which will be observed statewide on Monday. Cousins Simone Rendon and Lasha Tilsen organized the event, marking what they said is the first celebration of its kind in the city.
Set in the parking lot of the Artspace Hastings River Lofts, the gathering featured a traditional meal, sweet treats and a handful of vendors, offering resources and educational opportunities focused on Native American culture. Among the participants is Oogie Push, the Minnesota Historical Society’s 2025 Native American artist in residence. She specializes in Meskwaki twine bag weaving, a traditional art form and technique she has worked to revive for over a decade after it nearly disappeared in the 1940s.
“It’s from our people. It’s what our ancestors did, and I think it’s important that we keep our culture alive,” she said. “I think Indigenous Peoples’ Day is every day. But for me, it’s an acknowledgement that we’re still here despite all the things that our people have had to overcome and survive.”…