10/12/2026
Today, we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day by recognizing the Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations enriching Downtown Fargo.
From entrepreneurs and artists to community leaders and advocates, Indigenous voices are shaping our downtown and strengthening our community every day.
Indigenous Art House/ Sovereign Studios
Bruno's Coffee
Indigenous Association
Tee’s Kitchen/ The Frybread Shop
Anna Johnson
Robert Vargas
Plains Art Museum
Indigenous Art House Inc. is a nonprofit organization that celebrates Native American and Indigenous art and culture. The organization curates exhibitions featuring established and emerging artists, sells work by local and regional artists, and provides a space for organizations and community members to gather in Downtown Fargo. Along with the fine art direction of Sovereign, the shop hosts textiles, clothing, weavings and apothecary items from local makers including locally and Indigenous- owned business, Woke Soap. The space opened in fall 2026 and is led by CEO Joseph Williams alongside its board of directors.
Bruno’s Coffee is the first Native-owned coffee roastery in North Dakota. Opened in summer 2026, Bruno’s is a small-batch specialty coffee roastery located at 610 University Drive North that quickly became a Fargo favorite. Bruno’s is known for its thoughtfully crafted drinks and incredible pastries.
From Monday through Thursday, October 12–15, Bruno’s will serve Juneberry lemonade and a chokecherry kouign-amann, with proceeds from the items benefiting Sage to Saddle, a nonprofit on the Pine Ridge Reservation that provides horseback riding lessons and opportunities for youth ages 8–18.
Indigenous Association is a Native-led, community-rooted organization based in Fargo-Moorhead. The nonprofit is dedicated to preserving and uplifting Indigenous people and cultures, with work centered around cultural celebration, health, education and leadership development.
Representing more than 23 Tribal Nations, Indigenous Association advances these priorities through educational programming, community initiatives and events. The organization is located in Plains Art Museum’s Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Center for Creativity at 720 1st Avenue
Tee’s Kitchen/ The Frybread Shop is an Indigenous-owned restaurant and catering business located at 1203 1st Avenue North. Its menu features dishes inspired by Indigenous culture, including frybread tacos and wild rice dishes. The family-owned restaurant is co-owned by Tanya RedRoad and her son, Mykal RedRoad. Their family represents Tribal Nations including Spirit Lake Nation, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Anna Johnson, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, is a local printmaker, muralist, and mixed-media artist. Johnson’s work draws inspiration and symbolism from her Chippewa culture while exploring themes of social injustice, traditional storytelling, religion and spirituality. An active artist in the region, Johnson recently opened an independent studio at 7 8th Street South in Downtown Fargo.
Painted in summer 2026 by Los Angeles-based artist Robert Vargas, “Coming Home” features a young Native woman dressed in full regalia. The mural celebrates the Indigenous presence and influence within the Fargo-Moorhead community. Completed in just 24 hours, the mural is located between Mezzaluna and the Fargo Forum building at 305 Roberts Street North.
Plains Art Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate museum in Downtown Fargo with a dedicated focus on Native American and Indigenous art. Many of its exhibitions emphasize education, preservation and celebration of Indigenous art, history and culture.
Currently on display through February 7, 2027, “Know Your Treaty: Wiwahokichiyapi” explores treaty agreements through historical and contemporary images and art objects. The exhibition was developed in collaboration with Lakȟóta archaeologist Tyrel Iron Eyes and Giiwedinnong Treaty Museum’s Logan Monroe, Don Wedll and Winona LaDuke.
The museum is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m.–9 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission is free.
