I am Patricia Root, a current resident of Aitkin Township. I enjoy creating Indigenous inspired crafts. I have worked with various natural materials such as buckskin, feathers, corn husks, birch bark, willow, stones and rawhide.
Most recently have worked with beads to create Ojibwe inspired jewelry under the business name Nayahshing-ziibi Designs (Riverpoint Designs).
I studied at the University of Minnesota, college of Liberal Arts. There I received a major degrees in American Indian Studies, Ojibwe Language, and Religious Studies, Texts and Traditions along with a minor in history. My course work focused on Ojibwe culture and history, Ojibwe language, American Indian art, Dakota culture and history, Minnesota history, sociology, and theory and methods for the study of societies.
I have participated in the Minnesota Historical Society Diversity Fellowship program. While part of the Fellowship program completed an internship in the School Programs Department followed by a position as an Exhibit Development Intern at the Minnesota History Center.
In addition I worked as an interpreter/educator at the Minnesota Historical Society’s Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post. I am currently retired.