by Lisa Boghosian Papas
If you ask anyone from Minnesota to describe what they like about the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, it is hard to get an answer other than "it's a nice place to live."
If you ask them to talk about what they don't like-after a slight pause-the answer invariably comes back the same: "it's a nice place to live!"
In the land of "10,000 lakes," the Mall of America, Governor Jesse "The Body" Ventura, "Prince," Hiawatha, Paul Bunyan, the headwaters of the Mississippi River, the Vikings, ice-fishing, sub-zero temperatures, and the expression oof da, "Minnesota friendly" is the phrase most often coined to characterize the State's most treasured assets-its people. And after a week's stay in the State whose population now exceeds 4.3 million-ranking 20th in U.S. population-it is a fact that most Minnesotans go about their day with a smile on their face. "'Minnesota nice' is true, if you want to label it that way," one resident proudly remarks.
With an eclectic population mix primarily comprised of Northern Europeans, Scandinavians, American Indians, and more recently Latinos and Southeast Asians, it is hard to believe that a small enclave of Armenians have called this Midwestern State "home" for more than 100 years. But their history spans a period in the State's own development that includes railways, commercial expansion, and immigration. Along with these early settlers, today Armenians in the North Star State continue to make history in areas of business, finance, medicine, and community affairs. Starting with as few as ten families at the turn of the 20th century, Armenians have expanded to more than 250 families over the years-maintaining their cultural identity, despite intermarriage, lack of an Armenian Church, or institutional support.
The Early Years in Minnesota
The relationship between the State and the Armenians is one that developed years before the majority of the Armenian people settled in the vicinity. From a sales slip preserved at the library of the Great Northern Railway builder James J. Hill's home, it is recorded that as early as 1891, a traveling Armenian rug merchant, M. M. Yacoubian, stopped in St. Paul to sell an Oriental rug to the railway tycoon. Not long after that, the Phil-Armenic Association of the Northwest was formed in Minneapolis to aid Armenian victims of Sultan AbdulHamid's massacres. Herant M. Kiretchijian, national secretary of the association in New York, helped organize prominent citizens of Minneapolis to create a local chapter. Around that same time, astronomer Arakel Garabed Sivaslian came to Northfield, Minnesota as an exchange professor from Marsovan College in Turkey. In 1893, he received the first of only six doctorates ever given by Carleton College. Upon graduation, he returned to Turkey to teach at Marsovan but was killed in the Armenian Genocide shortly thereafter.
It was only six years later that the story of the Armenians in Minnesota truly gained ground. As one of the earliest known Armenian residents to permanently settle in the State, Bedros Keljik arrived in St. Paul from Harpoot in 1899 to establish an Oriental rug business. Along with him, he brought his five brothers, three sisters, and extended family-thus starting the first chain migration. By 1903, the Minneapolis Journal reported that the first Armenian family had arrived in Minneapolis. The article hailed that, "Armenian bachelors, widowers and men without their families have been here by the score, but Hagop Jorjorian is the first native of Armenia to bring his wife and children to the city to make their home."
Working as Oriental rug dealers, repairmen, or cleaners, these early Armenian immigrants began to build businesses and bridges with the Americans residing in these Midwestern towns. As early as 1903, Department stores in the Twin Cities posted advertisements in the Minneapolis Journal seeking "Expert Native Armenian Workmen" to assist them with their merchandise. Once their language skills improved, these men were then promoted to the selling floors of the stores, until many of them eventually started businesses of their own.
Railroads also brought Armenians to Minnesota, often via the Dakotas. In the early 1900s, the message spread across the nation that men were needed to help build railways. From Chicago, St. Paul and other Midwestern cities, these "unskilled" Armenian laborers came to work, eventually settling in the Twin Cities. It is estimated that up to 100 Armenian men worked as seasonal extra-gang workers and some as year-round workers between the years 1905 and 1925.
One of them was 33-year-old Minas Kalagian from Kamak, a section laborer for the Northern Pacific Railway. Just two days before a switch engine in the Staples Train Yard fatally decapitated him, Kalagian was one of 43 Armenian immigrants to register for work. He along with the 42 left living had no permanent address in the United States and had been in Staples between ten days and two weeks. With ages ranging between 19 and 59 years, the majority of the workers came from Erzerum, and then Sivas, Saragavil, Davoza, Kamak and Abarouk.
From 1918 through 1924, another wave of Armenian refugees made the Twin Cities home. One of the most prominent Armenian Minnesotans to arrive during this period was Oksent Missack Ousdigian, who was enslaved by a Turkish farmer during the Genocide and lost a leg due to an untreated injury. In Minnesota, he worked for the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) for four decades, serving as executive secretary and winning many awards for his patriotic public speeches. St. Paul's Mayor Norm Coleman, during a recent open house visit with several Armenians, described his own involvement with the nationality arising from one of his supporters-Mike Ousdigian, who "made a big impact on the community."
Many Armenians from overseas also found their way to Minnesota during this period through the efforts of the Near East Relief (NER). Prominent citizens like Lady Anne and her husband General Mesrop Azgapetian from NER helped raise money at two major fund drives in Minnesota, which were then used to bring Armenians to the area. From that period to 1965, strict immigration quotas made it difficult for ethnic groups to immigrate to the United States. Nevertheless, Armenians from Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Lebanon came to the area, either to join existing relatives, or to work for such Minnesota-based or satellite companies as Honeywell and AT&T. In the most recent years, refugees from Yerevan and Baku have arrived-brought over from the World Relief Organization of Minnesota.
The Armenian Community of Today
With the Armenian community in Minnesota relatively small and geographically isolated, they stick together and are proud to claim they are one of the more united groups amongst the Diasporans.
In the very early years, picnics were one source that held the community together. A favorite gathering spot for many of the Armenians was the Balian brothers' farm in Northern St. Paul. Others, like Mesrob Sahagian and the acclaimed writer, Vahan Totovents, came together for political causes. In 1915, the two, along with several other Armenian Minnesotans joined the Russian Army to liberate Armenia from the Turks. In 1927 it is recorded that an Armenian Red Cross group had been established in the Twin Cities, and in 1934 a local chapter of the AGBU was founded.
In more recent years, there have been other things that have helped cement the relationships between the Armenians. First is the Festival of Nations-a four-day event that, since the early 1930s, has drawn together Armenians to exhibit and celebrate their heritage, along with more than 100 other races in Minnesota. Since 1989, the Armenians have won eight exhibit awards at the Festival, which is not only an unsurpassed Festival record, but a source of great pride for the community. In turn, that event has fostered an Armenian Dance Ensemble, which not only performs at the Festival, but also at different locations throughout the year. The Dance Ensemble, once comprised of just Armenian women, is now made up of both sexes, half of whom have no Armenian blood in them.
Along with the Festival, the Armenian Cultural Organization of Minnesota (ACOM), started in 1980, now includes membership in approximately 200 households. The group's primary aim is to provide programs and events to encourage members to learn about their Armenian culture, language and history, as well as to provide an environment that fosters relationships amongst the community regardless of religious, political or social differences. It was ACOM that helped mobilize the efforts of the community after the 1988 earthquake in Armenia. Along with the State, which was the only one to make Armenian relief a government priority, ACOM helped raise money, obtain contributions from Minnesota corporations, and offer assistance anyway possible.
Family genealogy and research on the Armenian community of Minnesota are another source of collaboration among Armenians of the Twin Cities. Zarm Keljik Geisenhoff's comprehensive efforts to put together her family tree dating back from her ancestors the Royal Pahlavuni Family of the city of Ani to the Keljiks of St. Paul, Minnesota has made her a valuable source for historical information. With that history, Lou Ann Matossian, Ph.D., ACOM's current president, who though is not originally from the State, has dedicated more than five volunteer years researching and gathering additional newspaper articles, clippings and photos to create the most extensive archives about the community. Consequently, her efforts have encouraged others to take a deeper look at their own roots-many of the Armenians have even started their own family history stories and have large files binding old documents and photos together. It is thanks to Lou Ann that AGBU could provide a more acute look at this hidden community.
Since the beginning, the only thing that the Armenians still don't have is the presence of an Armenian Church-which to a certain degree is an issue that has divided the community. For some, attending St. John's Episcopal Church, where generations of Armenians have gathered to worship among family and friends is good enough. Others insist that an actual Armenian Church would be helpful. Currently, a Parish Council has been formed for the Armenian Church of St. Paul and Minneapolis whereby an Armenian priest comes throughout the year to preach. Fund-raising efforts are now underway to build an actual church structure.
Although the Armenian community of Minnesota is not yet well known to the greater Diaspora, its influence is historically and strategically important. Besides the initial wave of immigrants who helped build the Twin Cities, the Armenians have become a recognizable part of the greater community through outstanding individuals like philanthropist and business mogul, Gerard Cafesjian, and internationally renowned transplant surgeon, Dr. John Najarian. Strategically, Minnesota is important to the Armenian community at large because it is the only State to have two senators, Paul Wellstone and Rod Grams, on the Foreign Relations Committee.
In a relatively short period of time, the diverse Armenian Minnesotan community, now celebrating its centennial, has enriched the State, sustained its identity despite a large number of marriages outside of the nationality, and is now taking its place in the larger world. In recognition, Mayors Norm Coleman of St. Paul and Sharon Sayles Belton of Minneapolis proclaimed "Armenian Centennial Year" in the Twin Cities on January 23, 1999.
Minnesota at a Glance
In a place whose popular reputation has been based on television shows, movies and characters such as Mary Tyler Moore, Grumpy Old Men, Fargo, and Rose Nylan from the Golden Girls, needless to say, there is much more to be learned from a real visit to the Twin Cities.
For starters, its early history is unique. Among the first people to settle in the State were the Dakota (or Sioux), as well as the Anishinabe (or Ojibewa or Chippewa) Indians in the late 1600s. It was only two hundred years later that the U.S. Government came into Minnesota and forced the Indians to sign treaties to relinquish most of Minnesota land. After Minnesota joined the States in 1858, the "Dakota conflict" began whereby the Dakota went to war against the government for their property. After six years of fighting, the result was the Dakota were forced to leave the area.
What is interesting about the Indian history as it relates to the Armenians is that they have drawn parallels between these early settlers of Minnesota and their own forefathers in Turkey. During an ACOM meeting, where the discussion related to the denial of the Armenian Genocide, several Armenians in the audience made reference to the similarities between the Dakota and Armenians. Their sense of personal history has made them more sympathetic to the plight of others who are geographically in their backyard.
With 15 percent of Minnesota's population residing in the Twin Cities, it is hard to escape the slight undercurrent of "competition" between St. Paul and Minneapolis and its people. St. Paul is the capital of Minnesota and is described as the last of the eastern cities. Minneapolis is characterized as the first of the western cities. Mayor Norm Coleman of St. Paul describes St. Paul as more ethnic. "There are more Italians, Irish, Jews, Armenians and Poles here," he says. "It is more of a blue-collar working community. Minneapolis is more western-there are more Scandinavians and Northern Europeans. Minneapolis is the power. That is where they put the mills-such as Pillsbury and General Mills."
Woodrow Keljik, one of the sons of Bedros Keljik, and a loyal St. Paul resident says, "We are the older city. We are the capital of the territory and the capital of the State. All the big names in Minnesota are St. Paul names: Warehauser, Hill, Sheperd, and Phillips (of Phillips Petroleum).
In opposition, Lou Ann Matossian, a Minneapolis resident, says, "Minneapolis is a larger economic power, there are more high rises, steel, skyways and we have the nationally acclaimed Guthrie Theater."
Ironically, even with the power of large U.S. corporations such as 3M in Minneapolis, and a billion-dollar development in downtown St. Paul-including a 100 million-dollar science museum, a 130 million-dollar hockey arena, a 100 million-dollar convention center, a 13 million-dollar renovation on an island across from City Hall, the relocation of Lawson Software, and the growth of an artist and cybervillage in lower town-the second two largest industries in Minnesota are concentrated outside of the Twin Cities' limits-logging and mining.
Minnesota Pastimes
In 1885, Harpers Bazaar Magazine sent a reporter to St. Paul. When the reporter returned to New York, he wrote that "St. Paul was unfit for human or animal habitation and they should just give it back to the Indians." The St. Paul people were so hurt by the remarks that they engaged an architect from Montreal to come to St. Paul and build a palace out of ice. To build the palace-they'd go to the frozen lakes, cut up ice blocks, carry the ice back to a central spot in St. Paul, and construct an architectural palace where people could walk in and out. From 1937 until the late 1980s, the ice palace was built every year as part of the festivities of the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Rumor has it that the tradition of the ice palace may start again in the upcoming years.
Woodrow Keljik, an expert on St. Paul history explains, "In the early days, people used to be able to go into the palace and even get married inside. Then for litigious reasons, people couldn't go in anymore. In the beginning, there was a week's worth of festivities surrounding the ice palace. For 10 days, working men would dress in costume and stage a mock battle on the streets of St. Paul between the Boreas Rex, the King of the North Wind and the Vulcanus Rex, the King of the Heat. In the end, Boreas Rex would turn and run away, and the Vulcans would win-indicating that it's time for spring. I was knighted as part of the Vulcan's crew once- and was known as Sir Two-Miler because I was a runner. After that, I was forced to pledge my allegiance to the Vulcans forever."
With changes in the community, the Winter ice palace and Carnival are on temporary hold. Today, if you ask any Minnesotan where they go to for a little R&R (rest and relaxation), the answer most often is, "to the lake." But in the land of "12,000 plus actual lakes," that could mean anywhere. In the summer, "going to the lake," could mean fishing or canoeing at one of the many lakes around Minneapolis or St. Paul. "Going to the lake" could also mean a trip to Northern Minnesota where most Minnesotans go to boat and camp during the warm weather.
In the winter, the answer is the same. "Going to the lake," means ice-skating and ice fishing in heated fish houses with cut holes on the ice floor. These fish houses are often so plentiful upon the lakes that owners form associations and elect mayors. Minnesotans also enjoy cross-country skiing over the frozen lakes during the winter. Tourism for the State remains one of its most vital industries, and the lakes one of the biggest attractions.
If you can't find the entertainment you are looking for at the lakes, another hot spot is the largest mall in the States, the "Mall of America." Located right outside of Minneapolis, the Mall attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the State each year, including plane loads of Europeans who come to enjoy not only the tax-free shopping, but also the roller-coasters, log-ride and amusement park within the mall. It also attracts Minnesotans, especially families, who come to the mall to escape the weather and isolation that cold brings. With 4.2 million square feet of property, the mall is five times larger than Red Square. More than 425 retail stores occupy space within, confirming the saying that "if you can't find it at the mall, you can't find it anywhere."
Walking the skyways is also a Minnesota pastime. In downtown Minneapolis, every building is connected by an overhead, glass-enclosed structure-making it possible for people to walk freely about the city without ever having to touch the cold of winter outside.
Despite cold winters and the geographic isolation, Minnesota people like their home. Perhaps Mayor Norm Coleman sums it up the best. A New York native, he says, "It amazes me how often I run into people in Minnesota who've gone to high school or grammar school together. Though new families are making there way to Minnesota each day, there is a long history of families staying. It is like a big small town."
For more information about Minnesota, check out the website: www.state.mn.us/aam/aamp1-6.html.
