The Dakota Gathering and Wapasha Prairie Homecoming: Wabasha family at Winona State University Pow Wow in 1999, the first Wabasha family visit back to Winona (formerly called Wapasha Prairie) since Chief Wapasha III and his band were forced to leave here in the 1850s. In conjunction with the upcoming National 2004 Grand Excursion, Diversity Foundation has been invited by the City of Winona, (Mayor Miller, City Mgr. Eric Sorenson and City Council president Tim Breza) to incorporate its Wapasha Prairie Documentary into Winona's 2004 Celebration honoring and paying tribute to the descendents of its pre-European residents the Chiefs Wapasha I, II and III. In 1851, treaties were signed, (and ratified in 1853), forcing Chief Wabasha III and his Dakota people from the area, (then called Wapasha's Prairie and later named Winona) to small remote reservations in western Minnesota. Many of the Chiefs' Wapasha family and Dakota bodies and remains are still scattered about the area from this pre-European era. It is the hopes and prayers of our Diversity Foundation and the direct descendents of these Wabasha Chiefs' that this Dakota two-day Gathering and Homecoming will begin the process of healing, reconciliation and understanding between these early Wabasha's Prairie forefathers relatives and the current Winona Community. Presently Diversity Foundation is developing its 2004 Dakota Gathering Committee for this important and monumental event. The events planned include Spiritual Ceremonies, a two-day Gathering & Wacipi which will include Dakota/Native storytelling and entertainment. Left: Vernell & Ernest Wabasha's looking at Wabasha's Prairie plague at Garvin Heights. Above: A close-up of the inscription stating the Community below was once called Wapasha's Prairie. Hereditary Chief Ernest Wabasha VII and other Wabasha family members will be in attendance along with hundreds of descendents from other Dakota Chiefs and families from across Minnesota, North and South Dakota. Nebraska and Canada etc. In addition, Representatives of other Tribal Nations including the Ojibwe and Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) and others are being invited to share in these ceremonies. It is our goal that these events will help educate and bring new awareness to both the European and Native people. It is also anticipated that College Scholarships and Cultural Youth Exchange programs etc will be established and be a continued and ongoing result of these 2004 Dakota Gathering and Homecoming events.

The Early History and Civil Rights of Minnesota from an African American Perspective:

Chief James Griffin and Kwame McDonald at his Griffin's biography book signing. Kwame, a well known author and lifetime friend of Griffin's helped author the biography, titled "Jimmy Griffin- A Son of Rondo."

This Educational Documentary series examines the significant early historic roles of Black Minnesotans and the contributions they have made here in Minnesota as well as on a National and even global level. Some of these episodes will be told through the eyes of "Chief" James S. Griffin, retired Deputy Chief of Police with the city of St. Paul. Being born and raised in Minnesota, some of Mr. Griffin's knowledge of the state and its racial and cultural history is featured in his recently published Biography: "Jimmy Griffin - A Son of Rondo." His story and life experiences include the inner city and black communities of the Metropolitan Twin Cities, especially St. Paul where he spent nearly a half century of service as a Black pioneer with the St. Paul Police Dept and where a major high school "Griffin" stadium is named after him.

In addition to his urban experiences, Griffin was also one of the first black sports officials in high school and college athletics. In this capacity he traveled all over Greater Minnesota (and neighboring states) officiating basketball and football games at both levels. These "through his eyes" stories and accounts talk about often being the first Black/minority person ever to visit several of these rural Minnesota schools and communities in the 40s, 50s and 60s. For his efforts, Mr. Griffin has been inducted into the Minnesota High School and State Coaches Hall of Fames besides being inducted into the Upper Midwest's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Hall of Fame in 2000.

Diversity Foundation has many photographs and numerous hours of video and interviews with "Chief" Griffin where he discusses early Minnesota History and his life's experiences. In 1997, Diversity Foundation awarded him its first annual "Bridging the Gap" Award and he continues to serve as one of Diversity Foundation's Elder Advisors with our Documentary projects. In addition, he has served many years on the Minnesota State Historical Societies Advisory Board, St. Paul's School Board, the Minnesota Human Rights Commission and was past Chairman of the American History Education Committee. This latter group was commissioned to study the omissions in our state and nations history textbooks especially in reference to the missing contributions made by Blacks and other minorities to our state and nations heritage.

"Chief" James Griffin and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page.

Griffin's list of friends and associates over his 86 year lifespan list as a "Who's Who in Civil Rights" both here in Minnesota as well as on a National level. His "through his eyes" stories will include early Minnesota and National Civil Rights leaders: Roy Wilkins, Whitney M. Young and Nellie Stone Johnson. His longtime boyhood friend, Mr. Gordon Park's life and works, (nationally renowned photographer and playwright) was recently featured in an HBO award-winning movie special.

His life also touched the lives of Nationally syndicated writer Carl T. Rowan, architect Cap Wigington was his Godfather, along with Twin City journalist, photographer and Sports columnist Kwame McDonald who helped author Griffin's book.

His story will also include former Vice Presidents Hubert H. Humphrey and Walter Mondale who he became friends with early on when they each served as Senators from Minnesota and Mondale as Attorney General. Mr. Griffin was St.Paul's First Black Captain and later Deputy Chief of Police and Humphrey and Mondale were often in and out of the Capitol City and sometimes consulted with him on issues relating to Civil Rights here in Minnesota and Nationally. At HHH's funeral, Griffin recalls Vice President Mondale introducing him to President Jimmy Carter as a close friend to Humphrey.

As a Civic leader and Sports official, Griffin came to know and work with many famous sports figures over the years including legendary black pioneers Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella who lived with the Griffin family when he first played with the St. Paul Saints (before making it to the majors.) Also Professional baseball's Hall of Famers' Dave Winfield and Paul Molitor are both Minnesota Natives he talks about as they were growing up in St. Paul. He counts many special people in his life including his mentor Jimmy Lee, Joe Lillard, Nate Galloway and Stacy Robinson among others. He is especially proud of current St. Paul Chief of Police William "Bill" Finney who became Minnesota's 1st Black Police Chief and one of 1st Nationally (of a major City) and who Griffin proudly mentored for many years at the St. Paul Police Department. In our DF interviews with "Chief", he talks especially fondly of his pride and respect for former Minnesota Viking Legend Alan Page, who is currently a Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and a member of the National Football Hall of Fame.

His recollection includes the University of Minnesota's first Black football player Bobby Marshall (1905-07) and Sandy Stephens (1958-61) who led the Minnesota team from last place in the Big Ten to a National Championship in one year. Sandy went on to become the 1st All-America Quarterback in our nations history. "Chief" Griffin talks candidly about how a white southern coach (Murray Warmath) went against his early racist upbringing to actively recruit more than just a few "token" Black athletes at the U of M and fielding a racially integrated team under the leadership of a Black Quarter Back. Besides the 1960 National Championship for the Gophers, Two consecutive Rose Bowl appearances were also accomplished. (The last time either has happened at the University of Minnesota.) This unique occurrence at Minnesota is truly a statement about integration and what equal opportunities can accomplish on the playing field as well as our society. (Sports is often a metaphor for life.) Griffin talks about how Sandy's and the U of M teams accomplishments were able to happen here in isolated Minnesota, for the same reasons Roy Wilkins and Hubert H Humphrey were able to accomplish such remarkable feats during our Nations Civil Rights Movement.