Brooklyn Park Woman Raises Awareness About Native Art

A Brooklyn Park woman is one of three artists chosen for this year’s Minnesota Historical Society‘s Native American Artist-in-Residence Program. Jennie Kappenman plans to advance her knowledge and expertise in traditional Ojibwe arts.

“Given this responsibility through the residency, it’s really amazing to see I’ve already since childhood have been developing the skills, learning the stories, practicing the culture to be able to take on the responsibility to our community,” said Kappenman. “In return also learning from elders and other seamstresses within the Dakota and Ojibwe communities.”

Kappenman is a proud member of the Red Lake Nation. She grew up learning how to bead, sew, and dance. Preserving her culture is a responsibility she does not take lightly. Her jingle dress is one of many sacred items she’s created so far in her lifetime. The jingle dress is a medicine dress that is an important symbol in many Native events and is believed to have healing powers for her people.

“My biggest goal as an artist is to teach others so that they can further teach others beyond it. My big statement in my application was how does this impact the seven generations to come,” said Kappenman.

Kappenman hopes to continue learning from other great Native American artists. As a resident in the program she also plans to help emerging artists who want to preserve and honor Ojibwe culture for years to come.