St. Scholastica receives historic American Indian Movement photos

The College of St. Scholastica’s Native Initiatives unveiled a new photo exhibition of the American Indian Movement (AIM) on Thursday, Nov. 14, featuring ten impactful photographs taken by Dick Bancroft between 1974 and 1989.

Bancroft was a self-taught photographer who used photography to capture and document historic activism movements globally, with a significant focus on AIM. These photographs, donated by the Dick Bancroft family, will be on permanent display in the Student Center on the Duluth main campus, reflecting both the history and ongoing struggles of Native peoples.

“St. Scholastica is proud to make this a permanent display for a few reasons,” said Dr. Amy Bergstrom, associate vice president of Inclusive Excellence. “First, it connects us and is a reminder of the original peoples of this land and the importance of understanding the unique history of Native people. The decision to keep these on permanent display means we are committed as an institution to broadly reflect the history of America’s original people and their history that is often left out in telling the history of this country. Additionally, this exhibit is rich with teaching opportunities and can be a resource for faculty, staff and students while serving as a reminder of this history. It is also powerful for Native students and employees to see a reflection of our lived history in a prominent place.”

The ceremony and impact

After Bancroft’s passing in 2018, his family sought to honor his legacy and contributions to the movement by ensuring that his work continues to educate and inspire. Ann Bancroft, one of his daughters and a renowned polar explorer, attended the unveiling with other members of the Bancroft family. She recalled memories of her father’s work in the Duluth News Tribune, “What it really teaches you as a young person is … there’s a big world out there, and you want to be a part of it. You watch people make a difference.”

The opening event included a reception, photo unveiling and traditional community meal in the Student Center in celebration of the Bancroft family’s generous gift. As part of the ceremony, St. Scholastica Monastery Prioress Sister Beverly Raway ’67, OSB, read from the College’s land acknowledgment. St. Scholastica President Barbara McDonald, Ed.D., also spoke at the ceremony. Her remarks stated that the permanent display serves as a welcoming sign for Native American students, while also acknowledging an important piece of history.

Native students, including Vaeh Nason ’27 of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Angeline Lilya ’27 from the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, shared their thoughts, expressing how the exhibit honors voices that were historically silenced. “This exhibit is a physical reminder of the people who led this movement and how they made history,” said Nason. “It’s a beautiful representation of the voices that weren’t heard.”