MPR Archive highlights the cultural breadth and history in Minnesota’s Hispanic communities. From the entrepreneurial spirit in South Minneapolis & St. Paul’s West Side, to the arts scene of Teatro del Pueblo…from the voices of the migrant workers in the Red River Valley, to the music of Mariachi Flor y Canto. In short, a wealth of Minnesota stories and experiences to explore.
Please note: Most content related to this topic that is contemporary or created after 2005 can be found on our main content pages of MPR News, YourClassical MPR, The Current, APM Reports, and Marketplace.
December 15, 1974 - MPR’s Greg Barron produces “In Search of a Better Life,” a documentary which explores the origin, life and challenges of Mexican American community in Minnesota. The community of St. Paul’s West Side neighborhood is highlighted.
July 11, 1977 - MPR’s John Ydstie presents sound portrait of a migrant family working the sugar beet fields of the Red River Valley.
July 10, 1978 - As part of an Insight series, MPR’s John Ydstie produces a sound portrait titled “Migrant Series, Part 1.” Ydstie follows the daily life of Guillermo Flores, a migrant worker in the sugar beet fields of rural Minnesota.
July 7, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, MPR’s Rich Dietman presents highlights from Hispanic festival on the West Side of St. Paul. This was the first El Midwest Canto Al Pueblo (aka - Song to the People). Program includes interviews with artists, music breaks, poetry reading, and other sounds from and about the festival.
September 21, 1992 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports on the film adaptation of "...And the Earth Did Not Swallow Him," a moving and powerful portrait of the life of a poor Mexican American boy and his migrant farm worker family as they struggle to adjust to life in American society. The story is among the most well-known novels in Chicano literature.
April 29, 1993 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen profiles Teatro del Pueblo, a performing arts theater on St. Paul’s West Side. Wilcoxen interviews theater founder and artists on the efforts to foster Latino storytelling.
September 25, 1993 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews Mario Diaz, a Cuban shoe cobbler in downtown St. Paul. The entrepreneur shares his thoughts on Minnesota culture, politics, and business.
October 1, 1993 - On this First Friday segment, MPR’s Bill Wareham profiles the St. Paul Tex-Mex band Los Mundiales. Wareham interviews members of the band about the music genre and band’s traditional use of a real accordian.
November 1, 1993 - A reading from an anthology of poems, Mouth to Mouth: Poems by Twelve Contemporary Mexican Women, published in by Milkweed Editions. Excerpt is from an introductory narrative and poem written by poet Isabel Fraire.
December 10, 1993 - Playwright Jose Cruz Gonzalez and producer Alberto Justiniano talk about Latino theatre and the play, La Posada (The Inn). The play is being premiered by Teatro del Pueblo at the Guthrie Theatre.