The Minneapolis American Indian Center is celebrating the resilience of the Twin Cities urban Native community and our more than 50-year history at our 2nd annual fundraising gala on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

All are invited to come celebrate community, culture, and connection at our newly renovated and expanded building.

The evening will feature performances by local Native artists. There will also be a silent auction and dinner catered by our own Gatherings Cafe, which provides healthy, accessible Indigenous food to the community.

The gala is an opportunity to celebrate our work providing essential services to the Twin Cities urban Native community and an opportunity to look to the future. For more half a century, the center's uplifted the community through youth, elder, and intergenerational programs that provide stability, strengthen connection to culture and community, improve health and wellness, achieve academic success, and establish employment pathways. Our programs and services are provided at no cost to participants.

Event Time:
5:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Location:
Minneapolis American Indian Center
1530 East Franklin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404

Tickets:
Tickets will be available in late July. A physical ticket is not needed for this event. Your name is on the guest list if you purchased a ticket. If you were invited as a guest without registration, please let us know your name and who invited you at check-in.

Agenda:
5:00 p.m. - Doors open
5:30 p.m. - Social hour - Performance by DJ AO, silent auction, appetizers and mocktails from Gatherings Cafe, history of MAIC exhibit in the Two Rivers Gallery
7:00 p.m. - Dinner and program - Performance by Laura Hugo, Emceed by Trish Cook and Deanna Standing Cloud

Dinner:
Appetizers, mocktails, and dinner will be served by Gatherings Cafe. The meal includes salad, an entree, and dessert.

Parking:
There is a free parking lot on the west side of the center. There is also parking available in the Fond du Lac Mashkiki Waakaaiigan lot across the street at 2020 Bloomington Ave. and free street parking on 19th Street behind the building. A map detailing parking locations in the area will be emailed to attendees closer to the event date.

Attire:
The evening includes a plated dinner, and we invite people to dress up for the occasion. This includes clothes that reflect and honor attendee's culture, like ribbon skirts and shirts.

Support the event:
We also looking for silent auction items and have numerous opportunities for event sponsorship. To inquire about donating items or experiences for the silent auction or about event sponsorship, please connect with Natalie Rademacher at nrademacher@maicnet.org.

Wopida / Miigwech / Thank You

Minneapolis American Indian Center's 2nd Annual Fundraising Gala