Amid the prairie grasses at Jeffers Petroglyphs are islands of uncovered rock, where American Indians left carvings — petroglyphs — humans, deer, elk, buffalo, turtles, thunderbirds, atlatls and arrows. They tell a story that spans 5,000 years. The glyphs served many functions, including recording important events, depicting sacred ceremonies, and emphasizing the importance of animals and hunting. I was the researcher, writer and exhibits developer for the indoor and outdoor interpretation at Jeffers Petroglyphs in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, including the acclaimed multimedia show, “Listen to Grandmother Earth.”
Loris Sofia Gregory Selected Projects
I love to play detective and dig for information. I can search for whatever you might need to know or want to find. Along with my own unrelenting search within many paths of healing and health, I have 18 years of solid experience as a professional researcher, writer, historian, and exhibits developer for the Minnesota Historical Society (St. Paul, MN). I am passionate about research and can usually find whatever you might need or want. I tend to “leave no stone unturned” and, as my previous boss used to say about me, I’m not happy until I’ve researched the universe. If it’s out there, I can find it for you.
In 2009 I was an archival researcher to track down photos, film footage and secure licensing and rights for “A Good Day to Die,” a documentary focused on the life story of Dennis Banks, an Ojibwe born on the Leech Lake Reservation in Minnesota in 1937. Screenwriter Lynn Salt and filmmaker David Mueller of Beverly Hills, CA have this to say about my research for their project: “You are a God-send (or in Native terms, a Spirit-send)! We are so grateful for you and all your experience. We have other proposals out for more documentaries which will call for more extensive research and you are at the top of our list. Meanwhile, if anyone we know is looking for a researcher, you’re the one! We are so fortunate to have you with us on this journey.” [See further information about this project below.]
Highlights of my skills honed at the Minnesota Historical Society (1986-2005) and what I currently offer as part of my services include:
Efficient researcher for primary and secondary content sources; contemporary and historic moving and still images; film and photo rights and licensing, finding specific content specialists; formative and evaluative audience research; funding sources; material culture; public programming speakers
Excellent verbal, written, and visual communicator for creative proposals, multi-layered exhibit text and general writing, nature trails and environmental education, fundraising and grant proposals, multimedia scripts, facilitating history-related focus groups
Skilled tracker, organizer, and archivist for infinite changing details within evolving big-picture visions; database creation and management
Expert generalist in creating nationally-acclaimed, innovative, experiential exhibits from concept up to 4,000 square feet, multimedia object theaters and interpretive nature trails designed for visitors of all ages and learning styles; up to 200,000 visitors enjoy History Center exhibits annually.
Review my resume and project list links above which detail my exhibits, multimedia shows, and nature trail interpretation at the Minnesota History Center and at Minnesota Historic Sites, including:
Going Places: The Mystique of Mobility http://www.mnhs.org/places/historycenter/exhibits/goingplaces/index.htm
Home Place Minnesota http://www.mnhs.org/places/historycenter/exhibits/homeplace.html
Jeffers Petroglyphs http://www.mnhs.org/places/sites/jp/
Weather Permitting http://www.mnhs.org/exhibits/weather/exhibit.htm
My areas of research expertise and interests include:
-Art, film and photographs, manuscripts, maps, material culture, oral histories, organizational and business records; primary and secondary sources
-Healing, holistic health and wellness, including environmental, emotional, nutritional, and spiritual health; flower essence therapy; Jungian psychology; reducing, reusing and recycling; qigong; shamanism; and yoga
-19th through 21st century Minnesota and Midwestern history, including architecture; businesses; clothing and textiles; ethnic groups and customs; families; folklore; food; gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual life and culture; health; historic sites; Indian life including Ojibwe and Dakota; leisure; material culture; native prairie; organizations; petroglyphs; postcards; technology; towns and communities; transportation; weather
Please contact me for further information and rates for my research and writing services, either through my CONTACT page or call me at 952.431.5586.
“A Good Day to Die” (worldwide theatrical release in 2010): Dennis Banks ran away from boarding schools eleven times and grew up to become one of the leaders of the American Indian Movement which he co-founded in 1968 in Minnesota. Frustrated by discrimination and decades of federal Indian policy, Minnesota Indians came together to discuss the critical issues restraining them and to take control over their own destiny. Out of that ferment and determination, the American Indian Movement was born. AIM leaders spoke out against high unemployment, slum housing, and racist treatment, fought for treaty rights and the reclamation of tribal land, and advocated on behalf of urban Indians whose situation bred illness and poverty.
Written, directed and produced by Native Americans, this film will reflect the world that Dennis Banks experienced from 1937 to 1980 as a Native American, including accurately portraying what happened at Wounded Knee in 1973 from a Native perspective. The filmmakers believe that this deeply personal story of one man’s life, spanning the 20th century, will offer a key to opening the hearts and minds of those who have a limited understanding of what it means to be Native American today. This film will offer a rare and powerful point-of-view towards creating a deeper understanding of Native people. From its inception, this project has facilitated the process of healing painful, old wounds and, with its worldwide theatrical release in 2010, it will also bring forward a part of American history that has been ignored too long. Please contact me if you would like more information about supporting this important project.
