Learning from Place: Cedar-Riverside Immersive Experience, April 29 1-5p

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

The Minnesota Humanities Center has partnered with the Brian Coyle Center, Augsburg University and the West Bank Business Association to produce their latest Learning from Place Program. We spoke to Eden Bart, Program Officer and Amano Dube, Director, Brian Coyle Community Center/Pillsbury United Communities, to learn more about the innovative program and how to register. Don’t delay – there are only 40 spots available to tour the "Ellis Island of the Midwest."

Eden BartQ:  The Minnesota Humanities Center describes Learning from Place as an immersive experience that brings people to sites of great significance. 

A:  That’s right - our Learning from Place experiences bring participants into community and sacred spaces to hear the unfiltered stories that are often overlooked or unknown by the general public. These co-created experiences can be transformative in helping to close relationship gaps.

Q:  Why was Cedar-Riverside/West Bank selected for the program? 

A:  Cedar-Riverside/West Bank was selected for this program because of its incredible cultural diversity and history of settlement, activism, and the arts. We are excited to be partnering with Pillsbury United Communities/Brian Coyle Center, Augsburg University, and the West Bank Business Association.

Abdirizak BihiQ:  How will the 4-hour program be structured?   

A:  Participants will meet at Brian Coyle Center for introductions and a historical overview of the neighborhood. We will then go on a 50-minute walking tour led by Abdirizak Bihi (known as Bihi), host of KFAI’s Somali Link Radio. We will return to Brian Coyle Center for a sampling of food from local restaurants and story sharing from several community members who will share their personal stories and connection to the neighborhood.

Q:  What will be highlighted during the program?   

A:  Stories from diverse cultures; insight into the economic, arts, and cultural vibrancy of the area; and the deep history of being a place that welcomes newly arrived immigrants and refugees.

The Cedar Cultural Center, a West Bank mainstay for decades.

Samiya Clothing Store, Riverside Plaza

Q:  Who will benefit from attending the program?   

A:  This is open to anyone who would like to build their cultural understanding of the neighborhood. All are welcome.   

Q:  Will it be accessible for those with mobility concerns? 

A:  There will be about 50 minutes of walking. Email registrations@mnhum.org with questions.

Q:  How do we register for the program? 

A: Visit https://www.mnhum.org/event/lfp-cedar-riverside/. 

We have other Learning from Place experiences that include: Bdote, Hmong St. Paul, St. Paul’s Little Africa, LGBTQ+ History in Downtown Minneapolis, and North Minneapolis. For more information about Learning from Place experiences, visit https://www.mnhum.org/events/category/immersive-experiences/learning-from-place/ .

One of the leaders of the program is Amano Dube – we had a few questions for him as well: 

Amano DubeQ:  We spoke to you last fall about the annual Cedar Riverside Multicultural Dinner. You’ve now partnered with Augsburg University, the West Bank Business Association, and the Minnesota Humanities Center on a Learning from Place program. What do you want attendees to learn and remember from the program?  

A:  We want attendees to learn about the rich history of the West Bank, including its vibrancy as a business corridor with lots of restaurants, cafés, music, theater and arts, but also its diversity and immigration history as a welcoming landing place for generations of immigrants. We also want attendees to hear firsthand information from each speaker about their real-life experiences in this neighborhood/country including what it means to be an immigrant who came very young or was born and grew up here, raised families, own a business and/or spent most of their adulthood lives in this community.  

Q:  At one time you were the Executive Director of the Oromo Community of Minnesota. Please tell our readers more about the Oromo people. 

A:  The Oromo are a Cushitic ethnic group native to the Oromia region of Ethiopia and parts of Northern Kenya, who speak the Oromo language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afroasiatic language family. They are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia constituting more than 40 million of about 110 million Ethiopian population.  

Outside of their home country, Oromos live in many parts of the world, including in the United Sates, Canada, Europe, Australia, Middle East, other African countries and some in Asia. In the U.S., Oromos live in most of the states although the number varies. But the largest concentration outside of their home country is here in Minnesota, roughly estimated at more than 60 thousand.  

The arrival of Oromos in United States and Minnesota might date as far back as 50 plus years, primarily as students and their families. The largest influx as refugees occurred over the last 20-30 years. Today, in Minnesota and elsewhere, Oromos have established number of institutions including the Oromo Communities, many Churches, Mosques, varieties of small to mid-size businesses and more becoming part of the American dreams.  

Q:  How may we stay up to date with Cedar Riverside/West Bank news? 

To stay up to date with the West Bank neighborhood, please access the West Bank Business Association (WBBA) website, and follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.