Events

The Gustavus Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jackson Churchill, will present their Fall 2026 Minnesota Tour program. The concert is free and open to the public with doors opening at 3:30 p.m.

The Blanket Exercise, originally created by KAIROS in collaboration with Indigenous communities in Canada, is an interactive learning experience that raises awareness of the nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the United States. Based on real-life experiences, the Blanket Exercise is designed to increase knowledge about the laws, policies, and programs used during nation building by having participants literally walk through U.S. history. Narration is provided while role assignments are designated for each participant. Blankets on the floor represent land taken, reassigned, or designated for Indigenous Peoples and settlers. Participants are provided with the opportunity to form a common historical memory and begin a conversation about how we can build intercultural bridges together. Accommodation for all participants’ abilities will be provided. The session concludes with a time for debriefing and discussion.  

Speakers: 

• Rev. Amy Odgren: Lutheran pastor and Bishop Emeritus of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), who has been highly engaged locally and with ELCA’s national office on relationships with and reparations for Indigenous Peoples.
• Deacon Colleen Bernu: A recognized descendant of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and an ELCA Minister of Word and Service, who has directed ministries of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod devoted to strengthening relationships among Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

• Rev. Dr. Matthew Cobb: An Episcopal priest who has devoted much of his ministry to cross-cultural relationship building; a former staff member of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod ELCA; and the host of Broken Lands, a podcast exploring treaty violations, reparations, and possibilities for reconciliation between Native and settler communities. He is also joined by his spouse, Erica Olson-Cobb, who has been a longtime partner in this work.

   

The Gustavus Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jackson Churchill, will present their Fall 2026 Minnesota Tour program. Pre-show music will start at 6:40 p.m. presented by the WBL jazz combos. The concert is free and open to the public with doors opening at 6 p.m.

The Gustavus Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jackson Churchill, will present their Fall 2026 Minnesota Tour program. The concert is free and open to the public with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

The Gustavus Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jackson Churchill, will present their Fall 2026 Minnesota Tour program. The concert is free and open to the public with doors opening at 4:30 p.m.

The Gustavus Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jackson Churchill, will present their Fall 2026 Minnesota Tour program. The concert will also feather the Princeton High School Jazz band. The concert is free and open to the public with doors opening at 7 p.m.