Indigenous First News and Press
Stay up-to-date with news on Indigenous First Art & Gift Shop
In our Anishinaabe migration story, we were told to “go to where the food grows on water.” Since our migration, Anishinaabeg have centered one of our food staples manoomin (wild rice) into our meals, ceremonies, trade items, shared with our neighbors, and created an Indigenous economy that helps sustain our Indigenous food producers and entrepreneurs’ livelihoods through their farms and businesses.
This new video produced by AICHO and Jeremy Gardner of DanSan Creatives speaks to the power and spirit of our local and Indigenous foods, tribal food producers such as Native Wise, LLC who is featured here, Indigenous economy, and the importance of having ancestral and healthy food access for/with our communities with AICHO’s Indigenous First CSA and intertribal Indigenous food box initiative during the pandemic, and many key partnerships with Indigenous food producers/farmers in our region and beyond!
DULUTH, Minn.- People in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood could browse food art and other products from local diverse sources at the American Indian Community Housing Organization or “AICHO’S” Indigenous Food and Art market.
More than a dozen vendors showcased fresh locally farmed food or handmade goods and artwork. SNAP and EBT food stamps were also accepted.
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“We’re really happy to be able to support our diverse vendors and to bring healthy indigenous foods into the neighborhood,” said Jazmin Wong, Coordinator of the Market. “To encourage people to support local, support local farmers, local producers, and local businesses.”
June 2021
The American Indian Community Housing Organization, which has become a force for enabling Native voices in Duluth and bringing radiance to the city, worked with In Progress, a multi-media arts organization in St. Paul, to create this installation of Shaun Chosa’s strong images on the walls of AICHO’s headquarters, 202 W. Second St.
In Progress has been working for years to enable artists to do wheat-glue art postering. Ivy Vainio, who took all the photos in this post, said AICHO has contracted with In Progress “to help teach us how to do this application so that we could share Indigenous artwork 24/7 with our community. Michelle LeBeau came up with the concept for the outside of the Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center building. We plan to continue to do this with other AICHO artists.”
May 2021
DULUTH, MN-- The American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) received an unexpected half-a-million-dollar grant from the McKnight Foundation this week.
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The funds were given to aid the non-profit to continue honoring the region's diversity through art.
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Community organizers say they hope the money will aid indigenous artists and continue to create representative platforms.
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March 2021
Native Report
Opening Doors of Economic Opportunity. WI's Red Cliff Fish Company opens doors of economic opportunity to Native anglers; Duluth AICHO Indigenous First Gift Shop Coordinator stresses importance of providing Native artists opportunities to have their work on public display, especially during pandemic times.
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December 2020
AICHO
In our Anishinaabe migration story, we were told to “go to where the food grows on water.” Since our migration, Anishinaabeg have centered one of our food staples manoomin (wild rice) into our meals, ceremonies, trade items, shared with our neighbors, and created an Indigenous economy that helps sustain our Indigenous food producers and entreprenuers’ livelihoods through their farms and businesses. This new video speaks to the power and spirit of our local and Indigenous foods, tribal food producers such as Native Wise, LLC who is featured here, Indigenous economy, and the importance of having ancestral and healthy food access for/with our communities with AICHO’s Indigenous First CSA and intertribal Indigenous food box initiative during the pandemic, and many key partnerships with Indigenous food producers/farmers in our region and beyond!
December 2020
Duluth News Tribune
Among the advice offered about holiday shopping in this pandemic year: Buy from the places that you want to still exist next year.
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That can mean gift cards to your favorite smokehaus, the craft ice cream shop, or a pop-up celebrating the flavors of Louisiana. It can also mean filling your arms with all the books by all the local authors on the tables at Zenith Bookstore or stacking Woodfire candles upon handled mugs and ring dishes from the Makers Mercantile.
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If you need a jump-start, here are some less than $100 picks for foods, fashions and home goods from local makers.
September 2020
Duluth News Tribune
Native Wise and AICHO are collaborating on bringing "the good medicine" through community-supported agriculture.
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Photo by Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com
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July 2020
KUMD
AICHO's food boxes started out as a way to make sure the residents at the American Indian Community Housing Organization had enough to eat... But the boxes, originally intended to feed and comfort AICHO's residents, grew into a way to feed and comfort elders and others on reservation around the state, and, in the process feed and comfort the producers who create the food themselves.
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Photo by Ivy Vainio / AICHO
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May 2020
Duluth News Tribune
Like many retailers, Indigenous First Arts and Gift Shop's profits were slashed as customers could only shop for products in-store. Coordinator Jazmin Wong's work on a website for the store couldn't have come at a better time, she said. She was able to quickly list all of its products on its new website, indigenousfirst.org, which has since boosted sales.
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Photo by Clint Austin / Forum News Service
January 2020
FOX21
The American Indian Community Housing Organization’s (AICHO) Indigenous First Art and Gift Shop is hosting an inaugural art exhibit opening featuring local artist Samuel J. Zimmerman.
January 2020
FOX21
Duluth’s American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) has been awarded a big grant to help create an indigenous food network in the Lake Superior area. AICHO wants to help people have sustainable access to food in the Northland. They tell us the $78,122 grant will help people who are food insecure and folks who want more native food options.
December 2019
Duluth News Tribune
Bummer. You forgot to order something online for your sister, and now shipping is going to cost a million dollars. None of us should be ordering as much as we do online, anyway, and if you’re looking for culinary-minded gifts, you’re in the right region. Locally owned shops filled with locally made products are abundant. Before you lies our curated gift guide for your people who love to eat, cook and set a nice table. None of this says “I’m from a gas station.”
February 2019
FOX21
The American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) is celebrating over 75 indigenous artists selling a wide range of goods.
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These goods range from car seat covers to jewelry and all go to support indigenous economy and encourage youth.
November 2018
FOX21
The annual winter art sale at the American Indian Community Housing Organization in Duluth brought together more than twenty-five artists.
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The sale caters to mostly indigenous local artists and offers a wide variety of creations like scarves, dolls, gifts, and original artwork.
July 2017
Duluth News Tribune
Paintings, photographs, beaded earrings, books, cards, bags of wild rice and jars of maple syrup fill the shelves and walls of a newly created gift shop named Indigenous First, at the American Indian Community Housing Organization's building in downtown Duluth.
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Photo by Clint Austin / caustin@duluthnews.com
Indigenous First Videos
November 2020
Greater Duluth Council
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We sell quality gifts and goods with a mission of advancing, promoting, and investing in indigenous artists and entrepreneurs. Our holistic mission-based dedication to building opportunity for indigenous people is rooted in a vision of health and vibrancy, honoring the resiliency of our community and perpetually acting with future generations in mind.
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August 2019
Dave Moberg Films
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AICHO honors the resiliency of Native American people by strengthening communities and centering indigenous values in all aspects of our work; we provide housing and supportive services while also managing arts, cultural, and food sovereignty initiatives in Duluth, MN.
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Page by Suenary Philavanh & Jazmin Wong