Legacy Reporting 2023

2023 Legacy Report

ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT LEGACY-FUNDED CONTENT & INITIATIVES

July 1, 2021 –June 30, 2022 Lakeland PBS, Pioneer PBS, Prairie Public Twin Cities PBS, KSMQ, PBS North

Child Behind Barbed Wire by Jo Thomas Quilt featured in an exhibit covered by Prairie Public

The six public media stations of the Minnesota Public Television Association (MPTA) harness the power of media and build upon their tradition of creating high-quality programs that sustain viewers in order to document, promote and preserve the arts, culture and history of Minnesota’s communities.

Pioneer PBS Appleton/Worthington/Fergus Falls 800-726-3178 • pioneer.org

Lakeland PBS Bemidji/Brainerd 800-292-0922 • lptv.org

Prairie Public Moorhead/Crookston 800-359-6900 • prairiepublic.org

Twin Cities PBS Minneapolis/St. Paul 651-222-1717 • tpt.org

KSMQ Austin 800-658-2539 • ksmq.org

PBS North Duluth/Hibbing 218-788-2837 • pbsnorth.org

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

President’s Message........................................................ 3

Education Special Updates............................................. 5

MPTA Impact Infographic.............................................. 12

Awards ............................................................................... 14

Station Reports & Impact Stories

Lakeland PBS......................................................... 15 Pioneer PBS........................................................... 33 Prairie Public......................................................... 56 Twin Cities PBS..................................................... 68 KSMQ. ................................................................... 124 PBS North............................................................. 141

Appendix. ....................................................................... 169

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Message from the President of MPTA

Dear Legacy Committee and Department of Administration Members: It is an honor and a privilege to provide you with this report, on behalf of the Minnesota Public Television Association, or MPTA. It is our letter of thanks for your generous support of the MPTA programming that was created and is available to every Minnesotan. The MPTA is a group of six independent public television stations whose broadcast signals reach the whole of Minnesota and beyond our state’s borders. They include Lakeland PBS (Bemidji/Brainerd), Prairie Public (Moorhead & Crookston), Pioneer PBS (Granite Falls), KSMQ-TV (Austin), TPT-Twin Cities PBS (St. Paul/ Minneapolis), and PBS North (Duluth). This report will demonstrate the high standards of a profound collaboration, where we engage the awesome strength of public television, doing what we were always meant to do, which is to elevate our society, foster learning, build community connection, spark community engagement, and enriching the lives of our citizens by extending a world of possibility to everyone we reach. You will find several examples of how the MPTA tells the stories of our rural, urban, and suburban communities more comprehensively than anyone else – producing thousands of hours of programming on local history, local culture, and local public affairs. You will also find that many of the programs we create have been nominated and won awards. However, it is not the awards that drive us. It is the reward of seeing the work of the MPTA and how it evolves to reflect the communities we serve and the state that we are becoming. We employ our platforms as the common ground on which every Minnesotan can stand with equality, dignity, and purpose. In fact, Common Ground is the name of an episodic program produced by one of our stations, Lakeland PBS. This program explores the unique people, places and events that are an important part of our region, taking viewers on a journey of exploration into the subjects that help shape and define our diverse communities. Although this is a weekly program, there were several short-form historical documentaries reflecting our rich history, including Pioneer PBS’ Postcards: WWII, 40 Thieves on Saipan , providing a visual viewpoint to the best-selling novel. PBS North created six short-form documentaries with Minnesota Historia . This factual and quirky series has been used in classrooms, enriching students’ experiences in education. Education has always been at the core of what the MPTA does. KSMQ-TV in Austin worked with principals, teachers, and the Austin Public School District to curate PBS LearningMedia resources that align with the district’s new elementary literacy curriculum, ‘Benchmark Advance.’ Helping children, their teachers and caregivers also happened through the important work of Prairie Public who facilitated a community conversation in celebration of Juneteenth. The presenters were Minnesotans who were impacted by racial conflict and civil rights issues in Moorhead in the 1960s. These stories from the past bring Minnesotans to a place of understanding of how we arrived at where we are today. Minnesota Experience excelled at providing a sense of place through three one-hour documentaries created at TPT- Twin Cities PBS. These documentaries provide insights to influential, but little-known, stories including The Baldies , a documentary that looks at the historical and cultural impact that youth subcultures play in our communities. These are only a few examples of what you will find in this report where we elaborate on each station’s contributions. As you read through it, we know you will see that together, the MPTA collaborates with every race, gender, faith, age, nationality, and regional identity that makes up our remarkable state. We understand that our work of education, civic engagement and even entertainment, will never be over. As we move forward, we do so with respect, care and gratitude for your trust and investment of support for the MPTA through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Truly grateful, Patty Mester President & General Manager of PBS North President MPTA 218.788.2831 William G. Strusinski Legislative Consultant 651.755.6448 bill@libbylawoffice.com

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EDUCATION SPECIAL UPDATES

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PBS NORTH | DULUTH, MN PBS North & Legacy funding meet the needs of our youth

Over the last fiscal year, PBS North has worked to build an education initiative, the first of its kind for the station, to establish the station as an education resource for our community in the future. Over the past year we hired an Education Engagement Coordinator (EEC) to start this process. We began with a thorough research process to create an internal report on existing educational resources and programs available throughout the region. We determined two areas of lacking resources within the education ecosystem of the region – social emotional learning support (resources on anxiety, resilience, empathy, coping) and K-3 literacy resources. The second step in this process was developing an action plan to address these opportunities and develop our initiative. Our EEC has done this in two key ways.

Cardinal Learning Hub The Cardinal Learning Hub, still in development, is our web- based initiative “home base” where parents/caregivers, educators, out-of-school care providers, and students can find all our education resources – from national PBS LearningMedia content to local lesson plans to local event calendars…and more! On this Hub we will be able to provide and develop resources to support social emotional learning in and out of school as well as resources for K-3 literacy development.

Storytelling

Our second initiative function is to use our strength, storytelling, to make an impact in these two areas. We aim to share stories made for and with our region’s youth, as well as in and out-of-school educators, parents/caregivers and more. We have begun by releasing Community Stories as a part of our existing programming that feature the great educational and youth-centered work happening in the region. Our next goal is to launch a series, I Can Read Anywhere , highlighting literacy skills development, relationships and social emotional health, multiple literacies, and imagination and creativity.

Our EEC is developing this initiative with community-centered design, collaborating, and involving education stakeholders in the region. Feedback has already shown great excitement for the resources we will and are providing. The Executive Director of the Valley Youth Center noted his excitement over PBS North becoming actively involved in the Duluth Youth Agency Coalition and a librarian at Duluth Public Library noted, “I was excited to hear about your I Can Read Anywhere program and would love to learn more about it and whether or not it makes sense for the library to collaborate with you on it in some capacity.”

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LAKELAND PBS | BEMIDJI/BRAINERD Lakeland PBS and Legacy funding create its first academic lesson plans to engage creative learning using PBS content.

Lakeland PBS was proud to partner with a local public education teacher to create three new educator lesson plans for the free and public benefit to anyone looking to broaden their current curriculum with creative and engaging student activity projects utilizing Lakeland PBS’ programming about area community subjects. All educator lesson plans adhere to the Minnesota State Education Standards and are accessible on Lakeland PBS’ website under the EDUCATION tab with additional information and link for the PBS LearningMedia portal.

Lesson Plan 1: Energy Source Pros/Cons Activity Using the Lakeland PBS documentary, Harnessing the Headwaters “First Dams on the Mississippi”, students will form groups to research an energy source and then defend and debate which energy source is the best economically and environmentally. Objective: Students will be able to identify and explain the environmental and economical advantages and disadvantages of the major energy sources. Lesson Plan 2: Natural Resource Solutions Research Project Using the Lakeland PBS documentary, Boardwalks to Bike Paths “Northern Minnesota State Parks”, students will identify and discuss problems and solutions and then with a partner use online sources to research one problem and create a digital, multi-slide presentation to present findings and outcomes to the class. Objective: To identify and explain a problem and a solution to an environmental problem in Minnesota’s history by researching and creating a presentation. Lesson Plan 3: Coil Pottery Activity Using the Lakeland PBS documentary, Grant Goltz: Rethinking Blackduck Pottery , students will discuss important elements of the subject’s process for creating pottery using traditional Native American processes. They will then create their own clay coil pot. Post discussion will compare and contrast connections among works in visual artworks, their purposes and their cultural, historical, and social contexts, including contributions of Minnesota American Indian tribes. Objective: To create pottery using the coil technique used by Indigenous tribes and to learn about cultural traditions of Minnesota American Indian tribes.

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PIONEER PBS | GRANITE FALLS, MN Pioneer PBS Studio serves as a vibrant classroom

In FY 21-22, Pioneer PBS hosted several tours for students enrolled in Southwestern Minnesota elementary schools, high schools, community colleges and state universities. We also hosted visiting students from the Hawk Creek Home School and lifelong learners like the members of the Marshall PEO organization and the Granite Falls Lady Slipper Garden Club. Our studio has earned a reputation for being an educational destination. Students and teachers are choosing Pioneer PBS for field trips in large part by the region-wide recognition the station has earned through its award-winning Legacy-funded programs. We help review work being produced by students at Yellow Medicine East in their video art classroom projects.

Pioneer PBS employed three Yellow Medicine East High School students part time as engineering assistants. While two have graduated and gone off to college, they remain on the list for work during holiday breaks and when they return home for the summer. We feel that providing these real-world technical opportunities to rural youth is our best chance at retaining critical talent for our communities into the future. We plan on offering additional youth these opportunities in the coming year.

We will also be making some programs completed in this fiscal year available in PBS Learning Media in the coming year. While finished in production in this reporting year, programs like Saksanica have an ongoing impact thanks to lesson plans that show students how to “appreciate” versus “appropriate” native culture.

“I wrote lesson plans for students to learn from several of the Postcards features & shared them with area art teachers.”

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KSMQ | AUSTIN, MN KSMQ & Legacy funding expand educational outreach

Since starting at KSMQ this past spring, our Administrative Assistant was tasked with expanding the educational outreach for the station and worked to share PBS LearningMedia resources with local schools. Resources include state and national curriculum standards so teachers can meet their teaching requirements in each subject area. Our Admin Assistant met with teachers, principals, and the Austin Public School’s district office, as well as Austin Aspires. She was asked to curate lists of PBS LearningMedia resources that align with the district’s new elementary literacy curriculum “Benchmark Advance” and carefully selected PBS materials that support 70 teaching topics from science and technology, to economics, history and government for students grades K-6.

The Principal of the Austin Online Academy requested financial literacy and career exploration videos to share with students. KSMQ was able to provide dozens of online games and short 5-10 minute video clips for grades 6-8 and 9-12. Attention was brought to a need for social emotional learning resources to support K-8 students in our post-Covid world. KSMQ was able to provide educator resources covering anxiety, emotional self-awareness, empathy, honesty and forgiveness to help our local students with social emotional support.

“The tour was great! So fun for them to see things in action, and see that real professionals use Final Cut Pro. I’m hoping we can do some partnership in the future, I have some students who are really into it. Thanks again for the great morning, wish we would’ve had more time. The building is beautiful!” 8

PRAIRIE PUBLIC | MOORHEAD & CROOKSTON Prairie Public & Legacy funding empower Minnesota youth and communities

Education has been at the core of Prairie Public’s mission since its founding in 1964, and continues to be an integral part of the work that station staff does in northwestern Minnesota. Prairie Public’s Education Services department serves students, educators, providers and families through events, digital resources, professional development and other support. A focus on cultivating the rich art, culture and history of Minnesotans is a constant driving force. Education Services connects public media’s greatest assets with Minnesota educators and students!

Youth Media Workshop

Adults who have spent any significant time with Minnesota youth are aware of youth’s technology use and their comfort levels with using devices to create and share media content. This proliferation of media creation and consumption by Minnesota students led Prairie Public to host a Youth Media workshop at the Fargo studio on July 27, 2021. The educators in attendance learned about how they can channel the interests of their young students to make media IN the classroom and AS PART OF classroom assignments and projects, particularly to empower youth to tell their own stories. This one-day workshop provided confidence and comfort for the participants to go back to their schools and embed media

creation tools and resources into their teaching practice. The workshop included guests from the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Lab and KQED Education, as well as coaching and mentoring by an educator from the Prairie Public team. Educators from Crookston and Moorhead, Minnesota were in attendance, and a monthly virtual cohort gathering of educators was hosted by Prairie Public throughout the 2021-22 school year. This allowed the educators to share challenges and successes with each other, and to ultimately provide their students with the experience and confidence to use media creation in productive and positive and educational ways.

Juneteenth Prairie Public Education Services was a visible partner in the Moorhead-Fargo Juneteenth 2022 celebrations. We provided resources to connect with a broad audience of adults and children within the community and from around the region. Two of the events were outdoor festivals for kids and families, and the third was a community conversation held at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, MN. The community conversation included Minnesota

presenters who were impacted by racial conflicts and civil rights issues in Moorhead in the 1960’s. The resources included information about Culturally Responsive content for teachers and families.

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TWIN CITIES PBS | MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL TPT & Legacy funding bring Minnesota’s arts, culture and history stories into classrooms

TPT Learn’s education specialists partner with Legacy-supported producers, content experts and program hosts to make learning come alive both on the screen and in the community. Notable collaborations include: Outside Chance host Chance York teamed up with TPT Learn to create a set of discussion guides and curricular activities that align with each episode, prompting lively conversation about Minnesota’s diverse natural spaces for learners of all ages.

STAGE host Natalia Romero Arbeláez (pictured left) shared her passion and expertise in the arts with the TPT Learn team, resulting in 12 program guides and music education activities that align with Minnesota state arts and social studies standards for students in grades 6 -12. Diving into the station’s rich catalogue of Legacy-funded projects from past years helps TPT respond to the needs of formal and informal educators, who frequently request content around place-based history, science, and civics topics. Initiatives include community screenings, panels, lectures and workshops for Legacy- supported content like Jim Crow of the North, Bring Her Home, Armed With Language and Citizen . This kind of activation invites learners of all ages to explore media that makes a difference, and helps to sustain and expand the use of Legacy content. To expand the reach of Legacy-funded media content, episodes and activity guides are posted to PBS LearningMedia (PBSlearningmedia.org), a free education platform accessed by over two million educators nationally each year. TPT Learn has also created specially tailored Minnesota collections on PBSLM, like MinneHistory and Outside Chance , that help educators explore our state’s history, arts, science and culture. Educational resources for the series, Relish , feature media and recipes, encouraging learners to connect to culture through food.

24 new TPT arts, culture and history education guides created in FY22

Student: “I would like to thank you for showing me and others how food can connect people. It makes me inspired to cook more, so I can be closer to my family and friends and learn new recipes.”

TPT Learn relies on community input to help create the highest quality educational content. The TPT Learn Advisory Board, consisting of 15 diverse formal and informal educators, advocates, parents, caregivers and researchers, guide TPT on how to best respond to community needs and gaps, support already thriving programming with existing media and resources, and drive ongoing improvement in TPT’s media and resource production.

TPT Learn works closely with the Director of Evaluation to assess all programming, using mixed method approaches to determine program efficacy and attention to cultural responsiveness. TPT also shares education updates, new resources, and professional development opportunities via new social media platforms and newsletters with TPT’s network of over 15,000 educators.

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We asked our communities what value the MPTA’S arts, culture, and history programming contibutes to their community *Here is what they said

“Public television is an archive of who we are, where we have been and how we walk into the future together. I want Minnesotans years from now to be able to use that archive.”

Fosters Learning

After watching local arts, culture, and history shows on public television… 95% learned about something new related to arts, culture, or history. 60% were inspired to learn more about Minnesota history and 54% were inspired to learn more about Minnesota arts and culture.

“I think the arts, culture and history programming is very valuable to our community because it brings these topics into your home, goes into very wonderful detail, and seeing it on the screen makes it come alive. You learn so much more than you ever would in school.” “I’ve used local educational resources to share important historical and cultural ideas with students, especially music by local musicians!”

After watching local arts, culture, and history shows on public television… Sparks local engagement

“I’ve sought out different places, businesses and artists after seeing them on TPT.” “I have really enjoyed seeing familiar faces in shows, e.g., local musicians, artists and restaurateurs. It is helpful and enlightening to learn about my community!“

60% were inspired to visit a historic site. 45% were inspired to visit a new part of Minnesota. 36% were inspired to spend money on the arts. 35% were inspired to support a local business or attend an event in their community

mptalegacymedia.org

*Based on 2022 MPTA Legacy Survey

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LEGACY-FUNDED WORK OF THE MPTA 2021-2022

After watching local arts, culture, and history shows on public television… Builds community connections

“I think there is a ton of value to have good quality programming specific to Minnesota. It helps me learn more about MN and makes me want to engage more with the community.” “It makes me feel that we are more of a community - state-wide.”

82% feel more connected to Minnesota and their community. 81% feel more informed about what is going on in their community. 80% learned about new artists in their community. 50% talked with others about something they learned.

Represents the diversity of Minnesota

79% said that their local station’s arts, culture, and history programming adequately represents Minnesota’s diverse communities.

“[Our public television station] keeps us connected as a diverse community by sharing of cultures and events that we otherwise would not understand or know about.”

Is accessible statewide 32,371 hours of Legacy-funded content broadcast on MPTA stations. “It makes culture and the arts accessible for those who are unable to attend events in person, due to cost or mobility or transportation.“ “The arts, culture and history programming is clearly and very intentionally creating opportunities for all Minnesotans to learn about the cultural diversity that exists in our state.”

Builds trust

92% trust their local PBS station to deliver arts, culture, and history programming that is well-researched and unbiased. “It’s hard to find trustworthy news/information. I rely on public television for my information.”

Creates jobs

29.48 full time jobs 103 freelance and temporary jobs

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AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS 2021-2022

KSMQ Connections and Transformations 2022 Silver Telly Award General – Live Events Every 1 Counts

Rex Cook: Western Leather Artist 2022 Gold Telly Award Winner Documentary Warriors in the North: Healing Through Art 2022 Bronze Telly Award Winner Public Interest/Awareness Forced to Flee 2022 Bronze Telly Award Winner Cultural Terry Shannon: Treasure Hunter 2022 Bronze Telly Award Winner Informational TWIN CITIES PBS Armed With Language 2021 Upper Midwest Emmy® Award Military Short or Long Form Documentary Outside Chance: Mountain Biking 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Award Lifestyle: Long Form category The Baldies 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Award Best Documentary in the Cultural Category The Baldies 2022 Public Media Award Finalist Best Historical Feature Bring Her Home 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Award Documentary- Topical Bring Her Home 2022 Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival Dog Iron Award - Best American Indian/First Nation/ Indigenous Bring Her Home 2022 Native Vision Film Festival Best Feature Bring Her Home 2022 Red Nation Film Festival Best Documentary Feature Bring Her Home was an official selection at 31 film festivals and most notably, an official selection to represent the United States at INPUT 2022, Barcelona, Spain Film in the Cities 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Award Nomination Documentary in the Historic/Cultural/Nostalgia - Long Form category Electronicle 1980 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Award Nomination Documentary in the Historic/Cultural/Nostalgia - Long Form category Relish 2021 Upper Midwest Emmy® nomination Outstanding Achievement for a Lifestyle Fea- ture/Segment/Series

Say His Name: Five Days for George Floyd 2021 Upper Midwest Emmy® nomination Outstanding Achievement for a Lifestyle Feature/ Segment/Series Say His Name: Five Days for George Floyd 2021 Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival Audience Choice Documentary Short Say His Name: Five Days for George Floyd 2021 Cordillera International Film Festival (Reno, NV ) Best Documentary Short Say His Name: Five Days for George Floyd 2021 docedge Film Festival (Auckland, New Zealand) Winner Best International Short Say His Name: Five Days for George Floyd Big Sky Film Festival (Missoula, MT) Finalist Short Competition Say His Name: Five Days for George Floyd Official Selection Dances With Films (Los Angeles, CA); Sedona International Film Festival (Sedona, AZ); Province- town International Film Festival (Provincetown, MA); Cleveland International Film Festival (Cleveland, OH); and Indy Shorts International Film Festival (Indianap- olis, IN) PIONEER PBS Bone Brushes and Hide Painting 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Award Historical/Cultural/Nostalgic - Short Form Content category Beautiful Kingdom: Where Love Takes the Lead 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Award Arts & Entertainment - Short Form Content category The Thing That Makes Your Heart Sing - Kandace Creel Falcón 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Award Diversity/Equity/Inclusion - Short Form Content category 40 Thieves On Saipan: A Son Uncovers His Father’s True Story 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Award Historical/Cultural/Nostalgic - Long Form Content category Bonded By Sacrifice: Gene Murphy and Lyle Bowes 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Award Military - Short or Long Form Content category Pioneer PBS received 21 additional Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® nominations in 2022 Tiny Titanic was an official selection in the Woods Hole Film Festival and the Twin Cities Film Festival The Secret History of Ignatius Donnelly was an official selection of the Twin Cities Film Festival, the Fargo Film Festival, Big Water Film Festival, Frozen River Film Festival and the Mirror Moun- tain Film Festival. 13

Bronze Telly Award 2022 General – PSA PBS North Native Report

2022 National Native Media Awards First Place, General Excellence in TV Native Report (Every Child Matters, Orange Shirt Day) 2022 National Native Media Awards Second Place, Best Feature Story John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Coverage 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Award Event Coverage Iron Opera 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Nominee Documentary – Cultural Almanac North 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Nominee Public Affairs Program Minnesota Historia – The Legend of St. Urho 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Nominee Entertainment – Short Form Content Northern Rhythms 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Nominee Entertainment – Long Form Content Minnesota Historia – Hunting for Ancient Agates 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Nominee Informational/Instructional Minnesota Historia – Root Beer Lady 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Nominee Historical/Cultural/Nostalgic – Short Form Content Almanac North – Black Lives Matter Swimmer 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Nominee Diversity/Equity/Inclusion – Short Form Content Intersections –Vern Northrup, Kaitlyn Walsh, and Natasha Kingbird 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Nominee Diversity/Equity/Inclusion – Long Form Content PRAIRIE PUBLIC Warriors in the North: Healing Through Art 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Nominee Military - Short or Long Form Content Forced to Flee 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Nominee Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Short Form Content The Women of Alba Bales House 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Nominee Documentary - Historical Rex Cook: Western Leather Artist 2022 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy ® Nominee Historical/Cultural/Nostalgic - Short Form Content

STATION REPORTS

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LAKELAND PBS Est. 1980 • lptv.org • Bemidji, MN

Through the direct result of Legacy-funded programming focused on the arts, culture and heritage of Minnesotans, our locally produced programming connects local artists and artisans to the outlying communities throughout north and central Minnesota. These Legacy-funded productions, such as Common Ground , expand Lakeland PBS’ ability to share the talents and stories of northern and central Minnesota’s rural and culturally diverse people. Not only do we ignite new interests and renew commitments to the arts, culture and heritage, we expand the station’s partnerships with artists, artisans, craftsmen, nonprofit and volunteer groups, and other organizations across the region.

“There’s a strong network of arts and culture supporters and promoters in our community, and LPTV plays an important role in amplifying artists and creators, thus connecting us further to one another.” –MPTA Legacy survey participant

“Just want you all to know we absolutely appreciate your originality and we hope we can show these programs to our grandchildren one day! Thank you.” –MPTA Legacy survey participant

AREAS OF IMPACT

RESPECTING THOSE BEFORE US

TEACHING OJIBWE TRADITIONS

PRESERVING HISTORICAL PLACES

Historical Society Tour of State Hospital Cemetery

Traditional Snowshoe Class in Ponemah, Red Lake Nation

Bemidji’s Carnegie Library Restoration Project

Cultural teachings organization *Manidoo Ogitigaan - The Spirit’s Garden* leads an eager group of learners through the process of making traditional style Ojibwe snowshoes at the Ponemah Roundhouse during the cold of winter.

Follow Bemidji’s efforts to preserve and restore the historic Carnegie Library on the shore of Lake Bemidji. Join those involved in saving Bemidji’s historic Carnegie Library from the wrecking ball and bringing an early 20th century building into our modern era.

The Otter Tail Historical Society leads a tour of the Fergus Falls State Hospital Cemetery. From the first documented burial in 1890 to the last in 1968, nearly 3200 people were interred at these cemeteries. The tour explores the history of the hospital, the unmarked graves, the names, their lives and the tough times that brought them to their fates there.

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LAKELAND PBS | BEMIDJI/BRAINERD Lakeland PBS & Legacy funding continue to highlight the rich cultural heritage our communities are preserving and passing on to future generations. IMPACT STORY

With every town monument or landmark there are stories, traditions, legends, and even myths that make these small communities vibrant and rich in pride. Lakeland PBS had the pleasure of seeking out these charismatic communities to hear from the caretakers and community members preserving these giant creations, the real stories behind the statues.

Minnesota Roadside Attractions Pt. 2 Tag along for part 2 as we continue across the great state of Minnesota, exploring some of the unique landmarks that make our communities so special. Cast your vote on who has the best Paul Bunyan in the Northland and meet his girlfriend Lucette in Hackensack. Travel down to west central Minnesota where we find several one-of-a-kind landmarks in and around Frazee, Rothsay, and Vining. You can also catch sight of the largest Walleye in the U.S. border town of Baudette and visit Eveleth for their tribute to the great sport of hockey.

“Being able to tell the stories of the unique and talented people who make up this community is extremely important. In doing so, it allows us to preserve our stories while sharing them with the rest of the world.” - MPTA Legacy survey participant

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LAKELAND PBS | BEMIDJI/BRAINERD COMMON GROUND SEASON 1300 PREMIERE: Thursday, October 28, 2021

15 30-minute weekly episodes, Thursdays @ 19:00

DESCRIPTION: Common Ground explores the unique people, places and events that surround us here in north central Minnesota. Each week, we take viewers on a journey of exploration into the diverse art, cultures and history that help to shape and define our communities. IMPACT: Common Ground fulfills the goals of Legacy funding by informing, educating, and enlightening the citizens of north central Minnesota by exposing them to artists, organizations, and events they might not otherwise be familiar with. Many of the subjects featured over the years have noted that the exposure gained through the broadcasts have resulted in increased sales of their work, or attendance at organized events. Our work highlighting different cultures throughout the region has brought about a new understanding and compassion among viewers, who now have a better understanding of their own neighbors. Common Ground is definitely my favorite and I always look forward to new episodes. So great for our whole family to learn all of the different crafts in our region. Love love love this show and it is so well done. - MPTA Legacy survey participant DISTRIBUTION: Broadcast, lptv.org, YouTube, PBS app, social media Total broadcast hours: 275.79 hours (322 airings on L-Prime & L-Plus, and 269 airings on L-MN Channel)

EVENTS: (pictured above) Lakeland PBS partnered with the Beltrami County Historical Society and held a public screening and discussion of the Common Ground episode, Captain John Wheeler Remembered and Honored by Nephew (1312) on Wednesday May 25, 2022 at the Beltrami County History Center in Bemidji, MN.

MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION

LEGACY REPORTING: JULY 1, 2021 – JUNE 30, 2022

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● Nate Johnson Makes His Own Durable Leather Clothing, Pt. 1 of 3 | 1301 Join us for the season 13 premiere of Common Ground with a special three-part segment following Nate Johnson as he makes his own durable leather clothing from animal hides. In part 1, Nate Johnson prepares two hides, a beaver and a deer skin, for two different tanning methods: bark tanning and brain tanning. ● Nate Johnson Makes His Own Durable Leather Clothing, Pt. 2 of 3 | 1302 Part two of a special three-part segment following Nate Johnson as he makes his own durable leather clothing from animal hides. Nate Johnson prepares these two hides, a beaver and a deer skin, for two different tanning methods: bark tanning and brain tanning. We follow Nate's tanning processes in detail from beginning to end. ● Nate Johnson Makes His Own Durable Leather Clothing, Pt. 3 of 3 | 1303 Part three of a special three-part segment following Nate Johnson as he makes his own durable leather clothing from animal hides. Nate Johnson prepares these two hides, a beaver and a deer skin, for two different tanning methods: bark tanning and brain tanning. We follow Nate's tanning processes in detail from beginning to end. ● Traditional Ojibwe Snowshoe Class in Ponemah, Red Lake Nation | 1304 Cultural teachings organization *Manidoo Ogitigaan- The Spirit's Garden* leads an eager group of learners through the process of making traditional style Ojibwe snowshoes at the Ponemah Roundhouse during the cold of winter. ● Bemidji’s Carnegie Library Restoration, Pt. 1 of 2 | 1305 Look back at Bemidji's efforts to preserve and restore the historic Carnegie Library on the shore of Lake Bemidji. Join those involved in saving Bemidji's historic Carnegie Library from the wrecking ball and bringing an early 20th century building into our modern era.

● Bemidji’s Carnegie Library Restoration, Pt. 2 of 2 | 1306 Look back at Bemidji's efforts to preserve and restore the historic Carnegie Library on the shore of Lake Bemidji. Join those involved in saving Bemidji's historic Carnegie Library from the wrecking ball, and bringing an early 20th century building into our modern era. ● Gordon’s Butter & Dairy Museum and Crow Wing Viking Festival | 1307 In this two-segment episode we visit Gordon's Butter and Dairy Museum in Vergas, Minnesota

MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION

LEGACY REPORTING: JULY 1, 2021 – JUNE 30, 2022

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packed with six hundred-plus items preserving the history of small dairy farm life. Also, tour the annual Crow Wing Viking Festival held at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds in Lakeland PBS's Brainerd viewing area where they strive for authenticity with their reenactments and participants with "no horns". ● Bemidji Area Cross Country Ski Club, Pt. 1 of 2 | 1308 Examine the culture and history of Nordic skiing, as you tag along with dedicated members of the Bemidji Area Cross Country Ski Club. Also learn how the volunteers prepare the trails pre-season, then groom the snow. Follow along the multiple trails surrounding Bemidji for a pleasant experience in the beautiful, natural outdoors for the club's various events, as well as everyday aerobic fun. ● Bemidji Area Cross Country Ski Club, Pt. 2 of 2 | 1309 Examine the culture and history of Nordic skiing, as you tag along with dedicated members of the Bemidji Area Cross Country Ski Club. Learn how the volunteers prepare the trails pre-season, then groom the snow. Follow along the multiple trails surrounding Bemidji for a pleasant experience in the beautiful, natural outdoors for the club's various events, as well as everyday aerobic fun. ● Brad Wegscheid and Cindee Lundin Make Public Art from Concrete | 1310 Brad Wegscheid of Wadena learns public concrete art techniques from Cindee Lundin as they tour her fun, family-friendly murals in her hometown of Perham, MN. Brad compiles these techniques to complete a faux stone memorial bench at Old Wadena Park near Staples, MN. ● Robert Carothers Makes a Wooden Bowl | 1311 Robert Carothers of Bemidji, MN takes us through his process of turning a wooden bowl on a lathe at his rural workshop. He also collaborated on this episode's original music with guitarist Jacob Baldwin! Robb begins with a chainsaw and finishes with a fine polishing compound, demonstrating each of his steps in between. ● Captain John Wheeler Remembered and Honored by Nephew | 1312 Jim Wheeler of Bemidji, MN tells the heroic tale of his father’s older brother, Captain John Wheeler of the US Army. Jim relates his uncle’s youth in St. Paul, MN to his path as a Harvard career military officer. Jim reflects on his visit to the military memorial in the Philippines where Captain Wheeler met his fate after suffering through the Bataan Death March and a Hell Ship in Manila Bay. ● Steven Weagel of Pequot Lakes Blows Glass | 1313 Crossing Arts Alliance Gallery in Brainerd, MN exhibits the glass and metal art of Steven Weagel of Pequot Lakes, MN. Separately, Weagel demonstrates his glass blowing techniques at the state-of- the-art facilities of Vandalia Glassworks in South St. Paul, MN. He shares insights to working with glass while making a colorful lamp shade. ● Historical Society Tour of State Hospital Cemetery | 1314 Chris Schuelke of the Otter Tail Historical Society leads a tour of the Fergus Falls State Hospital Cemetery. From the first documented burial in 1890 to the last in 1968, nearly 3,200 people were interred at these cemeteries. His tour explores the history of the hospital, the unmarked graves, the names, their lives and the tough times that brought them there to their fates. ● Women Collaborate and Create a Round Robin Quilt | 1315 Five women from around Bemidji, MN organize a collaborative quilting project, where starting with the center square and working out, they contribute unique skills, talents, and expressions, each making a part of the whole quilt. As the project is passed from one quilter to the next, the quilt and their experiences become more than just the sum of their parts, with a stunningly beautiful reveal.

MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION

LEGACY REPORTING: JULY 1, 2021 – JUNE 30, 2022

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BACKROADS SEASON 2500 PREMIERE: Thursday, February 10, 2022

10 30-minute weekly episodes, Thursdays @ 19:30

DESCRIPTION: Backroads is a locally produced music program for Lakeland PBS showcasing an array of talented musicians from around the state, some traveling many hours to perform on Backroads . Performances were closed to audiences but still recorded at the beautiful and authentic Rail River Folk School (RRFS) in Bemidji in November 2021. IMPACT: Backroads fulfills the goals of Legacy funding by exposing the citizens of north central Minnesota to local musicians they might not otherwise be familiar with. Musicians featured on Backroads have noted that the exposure gained through the broadcasts has helped them promote their performances and increase awareness of their recorded work. By providing a broadcast platform to showcase the musical artistic expression of area Minnesotans, it connects the viewer at home to an expanse of arts and culture they would otherwise not be able to experience. [favorite show] Backroads - love hearing the variety of local musicians, especially since I can’t get out to see live music like I used to since I’m home with my children - MPTA Legacy Survey Recipient DISTRIBUTION: Broadcast, lptv.org, YouTube, PBS app, social media Total broadcast hours: 192.6 hours (from 209 airings on L-Prime and L-Plus; & 208 airings on L-MN) ● Mary Cutrufello | 2501 St. Paul based rock singer-songwriter Mary Cutrufello has been a mainstay in the Americana scene here and in Texas for thirty years. Hailed by USA Today as "a fierce guitarist with a blistered-throat voice", Cutrufello mixes original songs and classics of American music (think Willie Nelson and Steve Earle) into a captivating, heartland-proud musical stew all at once, timeless and immediate. ● Jon Arthur Schmidt | 2502 Jon Arthur Schmidt is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist. His unique sound resonates with the tones and colors of his midwest upbringing in a rural MN farming community and stems from his traditional folk roots. Jon’s songwriting contains a penetrating quality, weaving together compelling melodies that espouse the stories being told, which are often honest portraits of his life, while creating a sonic bridge between classic and modern forms of musical expression. ● Christopher David Hanson Band | 2503 The Christopher David Hanson Band is known for shows that bring out the dancers, fellow musicians and live music lovers of all ages. Roots rock with a twist of throwback country flare, eclectic swing, and beautifully penned story lyrics sum up this energetic northern Minnesota three piece. Christopher on vocals, Jim Pietila on drums and Shane Kingsland on bass. ● New Salty Dog | 2504 New Salty Dog is a Northwoods funk jam band based out of Duluth, MN. ● Severio Mancieri | 2505 Severio Mancieri is a regional touring musician based in Duluth, Minnesota. Born in Duluth, he moved to Iowa for the majority of his childhood and school, but moved back to Duluth in 2017. He released his debut album "Can I" onto all streaming platforms last December. He's been a featured artist in The Duluth Reader. "Virtuoso guitar player with a resonant voice." ● Lanue | 2506

MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION

LEGACY REPORTING: JULY 1, 2021 – JUNE 30, 2022

20

Sarah Krueger comes to us from Duluth, Minnesota. Culled from the title of a poem that found its way to Krueger from a thrift store shelf, Lanue comes to us as a project that stands firmly in front of a fresh creative backdrop and boasts a more developed taste and sincerity than Krueger's previous releases - both a welcome departure and anticipated return. ● Rachael Ianiro | 2507 Ianiro grew up in Detroit Lakes, MN with two older sisters and the world’s best mom and dad. They’d sit in the garage listening to Rock-N-Roll while their dad rebuilt muscle cars. From this foundation, Rachael found her love for music, the guitar, and writing songs. ● Swallows | 2508 The music group Swallows features a mashup of talented musicians who play an array of instruments mixed with harmonizing vocals. Their music has been described as a mix of rock, folk, classical, and Americana among other distinguished sounds. ● ELSKA | 2509 Minnesota-native ELSKA and songwriting partner Owen Sartori started writing in 2019, exploring her deepest passions, concerns and fears. It was during this process that she decided to adopt a stage name that reflected the seriousness, strength and heart of the music itself. She chose ELSKA, which is a Norse word roughly translated as 'love.' (pictured below left)

● Charlie Parr | 2510 An easily confused and very shy individual, Charlie Parr has been traveling around singing his songs ever since leaving Austin Minnesota in the 1980's in search of Spider John Koerner, whom he found about 100 miles north at the Viking Bar one Sunday night. The experience changed his life and a lifetime of memories and music was the result. (pictured above right)

MINNESOTA ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS, PT. 2 BROADCAST PREMIERE: Monday, March 14, 2022 @ 21:00

1 60-minute documentary, 12 3-5 minute interstitials

DESCRIPTION: Tag along for part 2 as we continue to explore some of the unique landmarks that make our communities so special. Decide who has the best Paul Bunyan in the Northland and meet his girlfriend Lucette in Hackensack. We find several one-of-a-kind landmarks in west-central Minnesota. You can catch the largest Walleye in Baudette and visit Eveleth for their tribute to the great sport of hockey. IMPACT: Minnesota Roadside Attractions Pt. 2 fulfills the goals of Legacy funding by providing cultural awareness to viewers outside of the communities that are highlighted in this program. By doing so, it allows exposure for potential tourism and cultural opportunities, thus generating economic revenue and support.

DISTRIBUTION: Broadcast, lptv.org, YouTube, PBS app, social media

MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION

LEGACY REPORTING: JULY 1, 2021 – JUNE 30, 2022

21

Total broadcast hours: Program: 14.26 hours (from 15 airings on L-Prime and L-Plus), Interstitials: 3.22 hours (from 59 airings on L-Prime and L-Plus)

Love the arts on Common Ground and the music on Backroads . The shows look like they are shot and edited well. Particularly enjoyed the Charlie Parr episode of Backroads and the Covid Gap documentary of MN musicians and First Avenue. - MPTA Legacy survey participant

WHEN THE MUSIC STOPPED “COVID-19’s Impact on the Minnesota Music Scene” BROADCAST PREMIERE: Monday, June 20, 2022 @ 21:00

1 60-minute documentary

DESCRIPTION: Lakeland PBS Producer/Director Andrew Dziengel travels across Minnesota to hear from artists, venue operators, and behind-the-scenes production crews to see how the Minnesota music landscape has changed since the state's lockdown and how they navigate their careers in a mid-pandemic world. IMPACT: Provides a historical account of how the music industry as a cultural community was affected by the global pandemic and how they adapted with change and time. This documentation serves as record for other entities to reference and study for socioeconomic and cultural impact and recovery methods.

DISTRIBUTION: Broadcast, lptv.org, YouTube, PBS app, social media Total broadcast hours: 9.35 hours (from 10 airings on L-Prime and L-Plus)

MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION

LEGACY REPORTING: JULY 1, 2021 – JUNE 30, 2022

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IN FOCUS SEASON PREMIERE: Friday, July 2, 2021 50 3-minute weekly segments, Fridays @ 22:00

DESCRIPTION: Lakeland News continues to produce In Focus , a feature segment that airs weekly on Fridays during the newscast that highlights subjects of art, history and cultural heritage throughout north central Minnesota.

IMPACT: In Focus fulfills the goals of Legacy funding by highlighting various activities and functions occurring every week across our

viewing area of north central Minnesota. These segments showcase how our area communities come together with the continued common interest of preserving our arts, culture, and heritage, for everyone to enjoy. DISTRIBUTION: Broadcast, lptv.org website Total broadcast hours: 12.5 hours (from 250 airings of 50 separate segments on L-Prime & L-Plus) ● Bemidji Area Church Musicians Return to In-Person Summer Recitals | 07/02/21 ● Cuyuna Lakes Chamber Hosting Music in the Park | 07/09/21 ● Bemidji's Art in the Park Returns for 53rd Year | 07/16/21 ● Nisswa Holding Turtle Races for 58th Year | 07/23/21

● Lakes Area Music Festival Begins 2021 Summer Season | 07/30/21 ● A Family's Love Wins Crow Wing County Fair Talent Show | 08/06/21 ● Blank Canvas Gallery Hosts Reunion Show in Park Rapids | 08/13/21 ● Suzy and Hondo School of Dance Creates Island of Dance | 08/20/21 ● Camp Knutson Shatters Own Quilt Auction Fundraising Record | 08/27/21 ● Judy Garland Museum Prepares for "Last Week Tonight" Gallery Show | 09/03/21 ● Creating New Art Out of Old Quilts in Brainerd | 09/10/21 ● Horace May Elementary in Bemidji Displays New Nature Mural | 09/17/21 ● Crow Wing County Museum Adds New Research Library | 09/24/21 ● BSU Professor Presenting Solo Art Exhibition "Worth Repeating" | 10/01/21 ● New Books Published Entirely in Ojibwe | 10/08/21 ● Crossing Arts Alliance's 8x8 Art Auction and Fundraiser | 10/15/21 ● Works of Stone Artist Gordon Van Wert on Display at BSU | 10/22/21 ● Watermark Art Center Celebrates Day of the Dead with Art Classes | 10/29/21 ● BSU Celebrates "Day of the Dead" with Crafts | 11/05/21 ● Common Goods in Crosslake Kicks Off Christmas Boutique | 11/12/21 ● Special Guests Read to Students at JW Smith Elementary in Bemidji | 11/19/21 ● Items for BSU Collection "Say it With Color" at Watermark Art Center | 11/26/21 ● CLC ASL Students Hold Concert for Deaf Community | 12/03/21 ● Bemidji's Lake Shore Gets New Decorative Benches | 12/10/21 ● Book Publication Ceremony in Mille Lacs | 12/17/21 ● Leech Lake Frostfest Returning to Walker in February | 01/07/22 ● CLC Opens "The Nest", a Multicultural Room for Students | 01/14/22 ● "Beltrami County Women in Winter Sports" Now Open in Bemidji | 01/21/22 ● McGregor Area Senior Fish House Open for Use | 01/28/22 ● Minnesota Makerspace in Brainerd Offering DIY Walk-in Projects | 02/04/22

MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION

LEGACY REPORTING: JULY 1, 2021 – JUNE 30, 2022

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