FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Ali Syverson, Director of Strategic Communications
Email: ali@mnhum.org
Phone: 651-772-4295
Reister Award Contact: Casey DeMarais
Email: casey@mnhum.org
Phone: 651-772-4278
ST. PAUL, Minn. (October 20, 2026) – The Minnesota Humanities Center names Anton Treuer of Bemidji as the 2026 Ruth & Ray Reister Award for Historical Contributions to the Humanities awardee.
Anton Treuer is a professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University, author, historian, and cultural educator whose work has advanced understanding of Ojibwe and Minnesota history for more than three decades — by bringing Ojibwe voices, language, oral history, and community knowledge into the historical record and public conversation. He holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Minnesota and has authored or edited more than twenty books, including The Assassination of Hole in the Day, Warrior Nation: A History of the Red Lake Ojibwe, Ojibwe in Minnesota, Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask, and The Language Warrior’s Manifesto.
Beyond publication, Anton Treuer has brought his work to Minnesotans through teaching, public humanities, language revitalization, community-based research, and public presentations. Across these efforts, his purpose has remained consistent: to preserve knowledge, broaden whose voices shape Minnesota history, and help Native and non-Native Minnesotans better understand one another and the histories that shape our shared life.
The Reister Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the understanding, preservation, interpretation, and public appreciation of Minnesota history.
“The work of the committee was undeniably difficult with so many wonderful candidates. We are elated to bestow the Reister award upon Anton Treuer, a wonderful scholar who has done so much to amplify and preserve Ojibwe language, history, and knowledge,” MHC CEO Kevin Lindsey remarked, “We are looking forward to continuing to work with Dr. Treuer and further share and extend his amazing work.”
The Reister Award honors the legacy of Ruth A. Reister (1936–2015) and Raymond A. Reister (1929–2005). Together, Ruth and Ray shared a deep commitment to history, education, and community engagement. Raymond was a respected attorney and community advocate whose contributions extended well beyond his legal career. He served on the board of the Minnesota Humanities Commission (now MHC), as Treasurer of the Minnesota Historical Society, and as Vice President of the Minneapolis Athenaeum, along with other arts and civic organizations. Ruth was an accomplished leader in law, finance, and public service who held senior positions at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She also served on the boards of Gustavus Adolphus College and the Minnesota Historical Society.
A bequest from Ruth’s estate established an endowment at MHC in 2016, making the award possible and carrying forward their shared legacy. Learn more about the Reister Award at https://www.mnhum.org/program/ruth-ray-reister-award/.
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About the Minnesota Humanities Center
MHC, an affiliate to the National Endowment for the Humanities, was founded as an independent non-profit organization in 1971. MHC strengthens our society by promoting the humanities and increasing shared understanding of our collective pasts. MHC creates a wide variety of humanities programming in collaboration with individuals, creators, scholars, and organizations to build a more curious, inclusive, and connected society. MHC has a long history as a grantmaking organization and operates a full-service event center in a historic building in St. Paul. More information is available at mnhum.org.
About Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment
The Minnesota Legislature passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment (Legacy Amendment) in 2008 to ensure clean water, preserve opportunities for Minnesotans to enjoy nature, parks, and trails, and to appreciate arts and culture that exists within the State. The Legacy Amendment increases the state sales tax by three-eighths of one percent to create the Legacy Fund – 19.75% of the Legacy Fund is dedicated to the arts and cultural heritage fund.
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