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Rural Minnesota

Rural Minnesota

Voices of young Minnesota farmers: Will you tell your story?

By Jeff Severns Guntzel | 08/25/11
If you feel like writing, we want to hear your story. If you'd rather just talk, we'll be glad to call or visit. If you want to introduce us to some of the young farmers in your area, we'd be thrilled.
Rural Minnesota

Preservationist talks about Dakota history and small-town life

By Steve Date | 08/12/11
Anthony Morse, 25, works at the Lower Sioux Agency historic site near Morton, Minn.
Rural Minnesota

Two Cass Lake friends talk about jobs, education and native culture

By Steve Date | 08/11/11
James Dean Allen, 25, and Bruce Armstrong, 21, appreciate traditions on the White Earth Reservation.
Rural Minnesota

White Earth youth explains the Grass Dance, and talks of his life and heritage

By Steve Date | 08/10/11
Alex Mason, 17, lives on the White Earth Reservation, but he'll be a senior this fall at Detroit Lakes High School.
Rural Minnesota

With the Dakota language on life support, a resurgence among native youth

By Jeff Severns Guntzel | 08/10/11
Of the roughly 4,000 Dakota people living in Minnesota, there are just eight who are known to be fluent in the Dakota language. An organization in Morton is trying to change that.
Rural Minnesota

Jingle Dress dancers describe their dance, their plans, and the role of the powwow in native culture

By Steve Date | 08/09/11
The origin of the Jingle Dress is thought to be from a recurring dream that a Midewiwin, or "Grand Medicine Society" man, had.  It's believed that the Jingle Dance has healing powers. 
Rural Minnesota

Smokey Hill Singers talk about White Earth and life on the powwow trail

By Steve Date | 08/08/11
Gene Boshey, Estevon Dominguez and Bradley Bloom are members of a drum group based on the White Earth Reservation.
Rural Minnesota

Carla Big Bear: Her life, like that of the Mille Lacs Band, is the story of a remarkable transition

By Sharon Schmickle | 08/08/11

After a semester in Washington, she says, "I know now that I can survive out there – and I can come back home again, too."

Rural Minnesota

Young immigrant journalist finds her niche in Willmar

By Gregg Aamot | 07/21/11
Marian Sanchez, who started her trilingual paper in 2008, says, "If a young person is interested in doing something here, he or she can make it happen."
Rural Minnesota

In Grand Rapids, community, gender -- and a desire to see a good band

By Jeff Severns Guntzel | 07/08/11
We talk with Madeline Frick about the dearth of entertainment opportunities for young people, the importance of community radio, and what it's like to be a young woman when most leadership roles are filled by older men.
Rural Minnesota

Latino students in Owatonna talk of their lives and plans

By Steve Date | 06/24/11
Jesus Torres has returned after college to work with kids at Centro Campesino, where he’d attended programs during high school.
Rural Minnesota

Interactive map: Where are the immigrant youth in rural Minnesota?

By Jeff Severns Guntzel | 06/23/11
And check out what the Census can tell us about the overall diversity of the communities they're living in.
Rural Minnesota

Help us tell the stories of immigrant youth in rural Minnesota

By Jeff Severns Guntzel | 06/22/11
We couldn't tell the story of young people in rural Minnesota without including the children of immigrant families and the young people who have migrated to Minnesota on their own.
Rural Minnesota

Hmong youth realize the American dream of their parents

By Steve Date | 06/21/11

Thao Vang and his siblings grew up on a farm after his parents decided they wanted their children to experience the agrarian lifestyle that is such an important part of the Hmong culture.

Rural Minnesota

Young Somali immigrant misses certain foods and constant sun, but appreciates life in diverse Pelican Rapids

By Sharon Schmickle | 06/20/11
PELICAN RAPIDS, Minn. — “I live freely, here,” said Abdirashid Nuur, 21. “Life is much better. ... I like small cities. There is less trouble.”
Rural Minnesota

A career in agriculture, but not on the farm: A dispatch from Brandon

By Anna Wagner | 06/16/11
I am certain that I want to work in agriculture. I'm not certain I will go back to my hometown after my internship.
Rural Minnesota

Creating a 'rural hotspot': A dispatch from Windom

By Mari Harries | 06/09/11
I just quit my full-time administrative-assistant position to open a local gathering place for my small rural community in my hometown. It took me too long to realize how great Windom is.
Rural Minnesota

Years away offer a fresh perspective on what rural towns have to offer -- and what they don't

By Gregg Aamot | 06/07/11
WILLMAR – Simplicity translates into time: time for my wife and son; time for running errands; time for getting together with friends and extended family.
Rural Minnesota

'Too many people flee': A dispatch from New Ulm

By Bob Martens | 06/01/11
I love the town and the lifestyle. While life in a rural community can seem quirky to many, it just seems more grounded to me.
Rural Minnesota

Interactive map: Where are Minnesota's young people?

By Jeff Severns Guntzel | 05/27/11
Twenty-four percent of the population of Minnesota is under the age of 18.