Yesterday, the Minneapolis City Council approved a $1 million forgivable loan to the Indigenous Peoples Task Force (IPTF) for the construction of a new community center facility, the Mikwanedun Audisookon Art and Wellness Center.
IPTF will construct an approximately 12,000 square-foot multi-service neighborhood center on a City-owned site at 2313 13th Ave S. This project creates new opportunities for youth and families in the green economy, careers in arts and native foods, and entrepreneurial training. It will also allow IPTF to consolidate and expand its health, wellness and education programs. The new center will provide administrative offices and clinic space, a black box theater, meeting rooms and art workshop space, a commercial kitchen and cafe, and a healing space needed to deliver these services.
This award is the third of the $3.5 million in Mayor Frey and the City’s support of the Clyde Bellecourt Urban Ingenious Legacy Initiative utilizing American Rescue Plan Act funding. The other two projects include financial support for the Minneapolis American Indian Center and MIGIZI.
“I am happy to be celebrating another milestone in our investments in the Clyde Bellecourt Urban Indigenous Legacy Initiative,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “At its heart, the purpose of the Initiative is to ensure that our integral Minneapolis cultural institutions are supported and can continue their essential work. The Indigenous Peoples Task Force is a prime example of this work, providing culturally specific health, housing, and educational services to our Native American community.”
The $11 million community development project has an estimated construction budget of about $8.2 million. City funding joins more than $6.4 million in secured funding for the project, with the remaining $4.6 million in formal legislative approval or financial commitment processes expected to be completed by July 2023. Funding sources for the project include:
- New Market Tax Credits;
- loans;
- contributions from Tribal Communities, foundations, corporations and individual donors; and
- public funding from the State of Minnesota, Hennepin County, and the City of Minneapolis.
IPTF, headquartered in south Minneapolis and founded in 1987, develops and implements culturally appropriate HIV education and direct services to the Native community in Minnesota, restoring community’s relationships with each other and the earth provides health, wellness, equity, and opportunity through fitness, water safety, education, and economic impact.
Donors can contribute to the project here.
