Local News

By Corey Tackmann |

NYMRCC and Niijii Radio Present 6th Annual Celebrating Cultures

2026 Celebrating Cultures Poster Final

Free Community Art & Cultural Exchange 

Wednesday, May 20 | 4:00–7:00 p.m. | NYM Sculpture Park, New York Mills, MN

 

NEW YORK MILLS, MN, May 18, 2026—The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, in partnership with Niijii Radio (White Earth), invites the public to the 6th Annual Celebrating Cultures, a free, family-friendly community art and cultural exchange event on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the New York Mills Sculpture Park and Barn, located just off Highway 10 in New York Mills.

During this busy time of year, ALL ARE INVITED to stop by the Sculpture Park this Wednesday, May 20th, to grab a bite to eat, connect with others in our region, and experience a unique community event!

Now in its sixth year, Celebrating Cultures has become a cherished regional tradition, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds for an evening of music, art, food, storytelling, and hands-on cultural exchange. The event celebrates the rich cultural diversity of rural Minnesota by uplifting Indigenous and multicultural voices, traditions, and artistic expressions.

Event Highlights

  • Live Cultural Performances
    Scheduled performances throughout the evening include (times subject to change):

  • 4:00 Kip Peltoniemi — Finnish music

  • 4:30 WB Reid and Kristian Bugge — Transatlantic Duo: Danish and American music

  • 5:00 Armando Mendez — Mexican music

  • 5:30 Buffalo River Drum and Dance — Ojibwe music and dance

  • 6:00 Project : Constellation featuring Santiago Silva and Christina Silva — Norwegian music

  • 6:30 Heather & Thistle Pipes and Drums — Scottish music

  • Hands-On Art Activities & Cultural Experiences for All Ages
    Activities available throughout the event include:

  • Indigenous crafts and activities hosted by Niijii Radio: corn husk dolls, language coloring pages, pony bead keychains & barrettes, and more

  • “Finland in a Suitcase” with Amy Tervola Hultberg and Adam Tervola Hultberg

  • Finnish cultural exhibits from Finn Creek Museum

  • Finnish weaving with Artist-in-Residence Nanilee Robarge

  • Genealogy resources with East Otter Tail County History Museum

  • Children’s art activities and “Know Your Neighbor” with the Cultural Center

  • Handmade items by Christina Cookie Stewart

  • Scribbletastic Fun-O-Matic Command Post with artist Brad Wegscheid

  • Community resources from West Central Initiative and the Family Resource Center (Mahube-Otwa)

  • Food Available for Purchase

    • Baby’s Bagels food truck

    • Fish Factor 108 food truck

    • Continental Divide Brew Pub hot dog cart

    • Wild rice parfaits and more!

Cultural Partners, Artists, and Vendors Invited

The Cultural Center and Niijii Radio continue to welcome artists, makers, culture bearers, and community organizations from all backgrounds to participate. Individuals and groups are invited to share traditions, stories, music, art, demonstrations, or food as part of this growing community celebration.

Participants may host booths, lead activities, offer demonstrations, sell handcrafted items, or perform. Booth space is limited and pre-registration is required. Setup begins at 2:00 p.m. on May 20.

To participate, contact the Cultural Center at 218-385-3339 or info@kulcher.org.

In case of inclement weather, the event will move indoors to New York Mills City Hall Ballroom. Updates will be posted on kulcher.org and the Cultural Center’s social media channels.

Whether you are sharing your own heritage or coming to connect with neighbors, all are welcome to join this joyful celebration of cultures, creativity, and community.

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through grants from Lake Region Arts Council and Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Celebrating Cultures is also sponsored by West Central Initiative.

For the latest event updates visit: https://kulcher.org/celebrating-cultures-2026/

###

About the Cultural Center

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts. The Center offers visitors intimate opportunities to encounter art and artists in its 80-seat concert listening room, visual art gallery in a historic building, gift shop featuring local artists, artist residency program, sculpture park, and a variety of opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Since its incorporation in 1990, the Cultural Center has been passionate about connecting people to artists and rich cultural experiences in rural Minnesota, celebrating the local and being a window to the world. For more information, call 218-385-3339, or visit www.kulcher.org.

About Niijii Radio and White Earth Land Recovery Project (WELRP)

Since 2008, Niijii Radio KKWE 89.9FM has been broadcasting independent media to our community as one of four native Anishinaabe community radio stations in our region, unique in that we are the only one independent of tribal government and control. The White Earth Land Recovery Project (WELRP) is a federal non-profit organization that currently holds the license of NIIJII Broadcasting. WELRP, founded in 1989, is a multi-issue, non-profit, Native American organization based on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Callaway, MN. Our station serves the White Earth reservation and surrounding communities. We also stream live from the internet for the benefit of all.