At Minneapolis' first-ever Native Prom, Indigenous youth celebrate their culture

As they formed a circle for the night's round dance, high schoolers, graduates, parents and chaperones tossed their glittery high heels to the side of South High School's practice field.

Around 70 people - some dressed in ribbon skirts and ribbon shirts, others in color-coordinated prom dresses and tuxedos - gathered for Minneapolis Public Schools' first-ever Native Prom on Saturday night. Hosted by the city's Indian Education Department, Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center and the Division of Indian Work, the event promoted the theme "culture is prevention" while giving Indigenous students of the classes of 2020 to 2024 a chance to let loose after a year of learning in the pandemic.

Abby Peake, who graduated from Nawayee Center School in Minneapolis last year, didn't have a prom her senior year and hoped to meet new people.

https://www.startribune.com/at-minneapolis-first-ever-native-prom-indigenous-youth-celebrate-their-culture/600070750/