Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities
17 Unique Stations from Border to Border
17 Unique Stations from Border to Border
Wearing traditional feather headdresses and anklets called chachayotes, Mexica (pronounced me-shee-ka) dancers have made a name for themselves at traditional Mexican festivals like Dia de ls Muertos and Cinco de Mayo in Minnesota. But, as producer Allison Herrera explains, there is more to being a danzante, or dancer than what you see.
In a race against time, Dakota elders, cultural activists and linguists are working to preserve their language. To date, there are fewer than ten speakers left. MN90 producer Allison Herrera tells us about the effort to preserve the Dakota language.
Minnesota is home to some of the largest populations of Somali and Hmong in the United States. It also has several non-profit organizations ready to assist those seeking refuge from their troubled homeland. Producer Allison Herrera tells about a community of people doing just that.
George Morrison had an art career that spanned several decades and two continents. He taught at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design and studied abroad for several years. But, he always came back to Minnesota’s North Shore. Producer Allison Herrera explores the world of one of Minnesota’ s most important artists.
For over a century, the debate of the authenticity of the Kensington Runestone has raged on. Some believe Olof Ohman, the farmer who discovered the rune inscribed slab, carved it himself. Some geologists defend the claim that this was a message left by Scandinavian explorers. Producer Allison Herrera tells about one of Minnesota’s “important archaeological discoveries.”
Andrew Volstead was an obscure politician from Granite Falls Minnesota. That all changed at the stroke of midnight in January of 1920. The sale and consumption of alcohol was forbidden. The famous 18th Amendment made Volstead a household name-for better or for worse. Producer Allison Herrera tells us about the time when the nation went dry.
The Jolly Green Giant is one of the most iconic images in popular culture. The Green Giant Company, formerly known as the Minnesota Valley Canning Company, was born in Le Sueur, Minnesota. Producer Allison Herrera spent some time in the valley of the Green Giant.
The confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers is a place like no other. It was a meeting place for fur traders. It’s the place where Zebulon Pike signed a treaty with the Dakota to build Fort Snelling. It’s also the place where the Dakota believe their creation stories come from. Producer Allison Herrera tells us about the B’dote.
Mechanical engineer James Ryan sometimes went to extremes to pursue auto safety. His invention, the retractable seatbelt, was adopted in 1966 after two decades of repeated testing and innovation. Producer Allison Herrera tells us how Ryan’s invention helped save thousands of lives.
In a matter of hours, a series of devastating fires changed the look of Northern Minnesota for decades. The Cloquet/Moose Lake fires of 1918 resulted in a loss life, millions of dollars in property damage and displacement of thousands of Minnesotans. Producer Allison Herrera tells us more about the spark that lit the flames.
