ᏗᏁᎶᏙᏗ ᏍᎦᏚᎩ

Dinehldodi Sgadugi

Indigenous Puppetry Cohort

Native artists exploring puppetry in community

2026 Puppetry Skill-Building

Intensive Workshops

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS

July 17 & 18th

August 21 & 22

September 18 & 19th

10 am - 4 pm

Z Puppets Rosenschnoz is excited to host the Indigenous Puppetry Cohort facilitated by Creative Director Chris Griffith (Cherokee Nation).

Over 36 hours, the cohort will work together on building skills in puppetry performance, design, fabrication and writing/creation process.

Cohort members each receive:

  • 36 hrs of in-person cohort group learning and support,

  • a $2,100 stipend, and

  • a $200 supply budget for their work, and

  • lunches provided.

At a final Circle event on September 19th, the group will have the opportunity to share works-in-progress with family, friends and community.


The 2026 Cohort is now full. Stay tuned for a Beginner’s Puppetry Workshop coming soon in September.

cohort schedule

  • Friday, July 17th (10 am - 4 pm)

  • Saturday, July 18th (10 am - 4 pm)

  • Friday, August 21st (10 am - 4 pm)

  • Saturday, August 22nd (10 am - 4 pm)

  • Friday, September 18th (10 am - 4 pm)

  • Saturday, September 19th (10 am - 4 pm -Public circle sharing starting at 2 pm)

The cohort is open to Native artists (aged 18+) living in the Twin Cities who are interested in building skills in puppetry as a way to express their culture and identity.

Applicants will be chosen to balance the composition of the cohort with a diverse and compatible range of experience, and who meet the following criteria:

  • Native-identified artist

  • At least a beginning level of experience with puppetry and/or performing/creating art for youth

  • Vision for how their work will benefit youth in their communities

  • To apply for this cohort, artists will need to describe their experience, background and interest in creating and performing puppetry for youth. Artists will also define the skills they would like to develop.

JUNE 29, 2026 DEADLINE TO APPLY

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

2025 Indigenous Puppetry Cohort

Facilitated by Z Puppets’ Creative Director Chris Griffith (Cherokee Nation), 2025 is the first gathering of an all-native puppetry cohort in the Twin Cities. Participants are exploring the intersection of puppetry and native culture.

Online workshops for Minnesota native artists outside the Twin Cities area available soon!

2025 Cohort Members:

Lys Akerman-Frank

Julie Boada

Kija Deer

Darek DeLille

Graci Horne

Jennings Mergenthal