Native American words and music are on display this week, with two programs presented by Indigenous Nations Poets (IN-NA-PO) in partnership with Minnesota Humanities Center, as well as the launch of Minnesotan Teresa Peterson’s book “Perennial Ceremony,” and a program on writing about climate change.

Wednesday, June 26, 5:30 p.m., Minnesota Humanities Center, 987 E. Ivy Ave., St. Paul:

“An Evening of Haiku and Anishinaabe Song” with Kimberly Blaeser, Gordon Henry Jr. and Gerald Vizenor sharing haiku, Anishinaabe dream songs and music as well as conversing with one another and the audience on their work and inspirations. Blaeser is a former Wisconsin poet laureate and founding director of Indigenous Nations Poets, author of six poetry collections. An Anishinaabe activist and environmentalist, she is an enrolled member of White Earth Nation. She is a professor emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and MFA faculty member for Institute of American Indian Arts. Gordon Henry is an Anishinaabe poet and novelist, and an enrolled member of the White Earth Nation of Minnesota. A past professor in the English department at Michigan State University, he also served for many years as senior editor of the American Indian Studies series at Michigan State University Press. Vizenor is professor emeritus of American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. A citizen of the White Earth Nation in Minnesota, he has published more than 40 books including novels, literary and cultural studies, and poetry and is one of this country’s leading Native scholars and writers. This program includes a complimentary community meal preceding the program. Free, registration required at mnhum.org.

(IN-NA-PO is a national Indigenous poetry community committed to mentoring emerging writers, nurturing the growth of Indigenous poetic practices, and raising the visibility of all Native writers. It recognizes the role of poetry in sustaining tribal sovereignty and Native languages.)

Friday, June 28, 5:30 p.m., Minnesota Humanities Center:

Gwen Westerman (Courtesy of Melanie Zacek)

Nations Poets reading with this year’s IN-NA-PO fellows sharing some of their original work. Hosts will be former Wisconsin poet laureate Kimberly Blaeser, Minneapolis poet laureate Heid Erdrich and Minnesota poet laureate Gwen Nell Westerman. A  community meal included. Free, reservations required. Go to mnhum.org.

Wednesday, June 26, 7 p.m., Birchbark Books event space, 1629 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis:

Teresa Peterson celebrates publication of her book “Perennial Ceremony” in conversation with Diane Wilson, hosted by Birchbark Books. In this collection of prose, poetry and recipes from University of Minnesota Press, Peterson shares how she found refuge from the struggle to reconcile her Christianity and Dakota spirituality, discovering solace and ceremony in community with the Earth by observing and embracing the cycles of her garden. In this seasonal cycle, we learn how the garden becomes a healing balm, reclaiming and honoring our relationship with Mother Earth. Peterson is Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota and citizen of the Upper Sioux Community. Free.

Tuesday, June 25, 5 p.m., Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Mpls.:

Diane Wilson (Courtesy photo)

Milkweed Editions reading series presents “Beyond Guilt: Writers Reflect on Climate Change,” hosted by Diane Wilson, author of “The Seed Keeper,” She is executive director of Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance, a Mdewakanton descendant enrolled on the Rosebud reservation. She will be joined by Erin Sharkey and Halee Kirkwood. Sharkey is a writer, arts and abolition cultural worker, and film producer who was awarded the Black Seed Fellowship from Black Visions and the Headwaters Foundation. Kirkwood is a member of Indigenous Nations Poets and direct descendant of Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. Free.

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The governor’s feeble response

Gov. Walz’s feeble response to revelations of the state’s egregiously flawed oversight of the Feeding Our Future program was extremely disappointing.

Addressing the scathing criticism by the Legislative Auditor of his administration’s “actions and inactions” contributing to the massive $250 million fraud, the governor accepted responsibility but then shifted the blame to COVID and other features.

His declaration that “We can always do better” sounds more like a political campaign slogan than any real contrition or resolve to impose discipline or other corrective action to sanction the responsible parties, besides himself, and prevent any semblance of recurrence.

Marshall H. Tanick, Minneapolis

‘His mission for Jayson’

Sainted: Mary Divine for interviewing us and featuring our story in Sunday’s Pioneer Press (“His mission for Jayson,” June 16). This was such a good and needed experience for us. Mary brought a lot out of us that we haven’t really shared in the past.

We believe that through her article, many parents and grandparents will talk to our youth. We feel that the parents are scared of this epidemic and honestly, to some degree, they should be. We just want them to get past the “it couldn’t happen to us” for whatever reason they come up with. If they can get past that, they will at least keep a watchful eye on their loved ones.

We think Mary’s article will have all who read it thinking twice. The Pioneer Press has done a great thing in publishing it. Thank you, Mary, for bringing back the hidden memories, good and bad for us. We needed that.  Also, you are true professional and a kind-hearted person. We are sure that Jayson thanks you as well.

Jay and Vickie Pernu, Lake Elmo

Why is it so difficult to get the Twins back on TV?

My mother is 97 years old, and has been a devoted Twins fan for many years. She lives in a senior living community now where streaming services are not available, and her one enjoyment was watching the Twins on TV. She wouldn’t miss a game.

Now that the games are not available any longer, it has left a huge void in her life. I wonder how many other seniors are missing the games, just like her. This is a special group of people in our community who have stood behind the team for years and are now being let down because of bickering over money.

Why is it so difficult to figure out how to get baseball back on TV for these special fans? My mother is waiting.  Don’t continue to let her and all the rest of us down.

Andrea Wheeler, Maplewood

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