Learn to speak and write everyday words and phrases in Dakota – one of the original languages of Minnesota. Joe Bendickson, Dakota language instructor at the U of M, will lead this workshop, which is open to all ages. Children can take home a Dakota language activity book. Website resources and information on Dakota classes in the Twin Cities will be available. The first Dakota alphabet was devised by Gideon and Samuel Pond in 1834, and copies of 19th century documents will be on display. House tours at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Suggested donation $2. Pond Dakota Heritage Society members and youth through high school are free.
Maple Sugaring
Sunday March 7, Drop-In program, 2 – 4 pm
Native Americans produced maple sugar for centuries and passed on their knowledge to frontier settlers. Now you can experience maple sugaring for yourself! Outdoors, learn about choosing the right trees to tap, collecting the sap, and boiling it down to make syrup. Inside the house, watch syrup transform into sugar and sample maple candy. House tours 1:30 to 4:00 pm. Suggested donation $2. Pond Dakota Heritage Society members and youth through high school are free.
Pond Dakota Mission Park
401 East 104th Street (Between Nicollet and Portland Avenues)
Bloomington, MN
http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/main_top/2_facilities/rec_facility/pond/pondhous.htm