Virtual Family Day: Stories of Resilience

Every second Sunday of the month, Mia hosts a free monthly event for families, kids, and the young at heart featuring hands-on art activities, live music, dance performances, artist demonstrations, family tours and more — all inspired by Mia’s incredible collection. 
Family Day Major Sponsor:  

Thank you for joining us for Virtual Family Day! As challenging as things may feel right now, if we listen to the stories of courage, creativity, and resilience of the diverse communities around us, we can find strength and hope for a better future. Celebrate and learn more about Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with puppetry by Oanh Vu and Denise Hanh Hyunh, collage making, and pickling. In addition, hear stories from indigenous artists Julie Buffalohead and children’s book author Teresa Peterson, be inspired to dance outside with Kenna Camara-Cottman, and connect with nature with Sidewalk Plant Lab to find strength and joy!

 

Greeting

Happy APIA (Asian Pacific Islander American) Heritage month from Mia and Puppet Oanh and Puppet Denise! It’s important to celebrate and embrace everyone’s cultures and heritage everyday. We hope you’re all staying safe and being kind to one another during this challenging time. If you want to hang out more with puppets Oanh and Denise, view their show from Theater Mu here. Also, find more resources to learn about Asian American and Pacific Islander history and community here.

Art Activities

Create a Family Story Blanket

Inspired by Ka Zoua Lee’s Village Story Blanket

Ka Zoua Lee, Village Story Blanket, c.1980, Cotton, silk, synthetic; appliqué and embroidery. Gift of Funds from Ellen and Sheldon Sturgis 84.7.1

This “Village Story Blanket” tells many stories. It tells us about the Hmong artist Ka Zoua Lee’s everyday life before the war and also about her resilience carrying her stories and traditions through the difficult time living in refugee camps. Learn more about the stories in this pa ndau (story blanket) and share your own stories in this collaborative activity with your family.

Celebrate Resilient Plant Heroes


When’s the last time you said “Thanks” to a plant? This is your chance to get creative and honor one of the resilient plant heroes in your neighborhood! Check out this interactive activity designed by Sidewalk Plant Lab to get creative outside!

Make Vietnamese Pickles

Pickles have been made by many cultures to preserve food for a longer period of time. Talk about resilient foods! This recipe is a popular Vietnamese pickle most often enjoyed in Vietnamese bánh mì sandwiches.

Interactive Activities

Storytime: “Grasshopper Girl” by Theresa Peterson

Dakota author, Teresa Peterson will read from her children’s book, “Grasshopper Girl.” The book tells a story about storytelling, where Grasshopper Girl learns character lessons from Unktomi, the Dakota trickster. You will also get to learn some words in the Dakota language, one of Minnesota’s first languages!
You can buy the book “Grasshopper Girl” online from local bookstores like Birchbark Books or from the publisher Black Bears and Blueberries Publishing.

Closer Look: Julie Buffalohead

Julie Buffalohead American (Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma), born 1972 Exile, 2019 Ink, graphite, collage on Lokta paper mounted on paper. Courtesy of the artist and Bockley Gallery, collection of Mike and Jody Wahlig

Listen to a conversation between Family Learning Associate Natalia Choi and Julie Buffalohead, a talented local indigenous artist who has her artworks on view at Mia in an exhibit called “Storytelling: Julie Buffalohead.” 

Dance Workshop: Dance Walk on My Block by Kenna-Camara Cottman

Dance Walk on my Block

I gotta get outside each day.
Park is closed, no playground play.
Since I walk alone a lot,
I dance my way around my block.
The hardest part is to not be shy
When I see someone passing by.
Those who look get a show for free…
Do more than look and dance with me!