MINNEAPOLIS/SAINT PAUL, Minnesota – Minnesota Sports and Events is proud to announce a Request for Proposals for Indigenous artists to create a signature mural titled Land of 10,000 Rinks in celebration of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship coming to Minnesota this winter. This mural will be a centerpiece of the championship experience and a vibrant tribute to the cultural and communal power of hockey across the State of Hockey, brought to life by Minnesota’s talented Indigenous artist community.
The RFP invites submissions from enrolled members of Minnesota’s federally recognized tribes or a First Nations tribal community to design a mural that showcases the energy of hockey, honors the land and people, and uplifts the stories of Minnesota’s original inhabitants. Artists will have the option to incorporate augmented reality elements into their digital designs, creating immersive experiences for fans attending both in-person and online.
The mural will be featured prominently throughout the World Junior tournament, including a physical installation in Saint Paul, digital placements at key venues, and across promotional platforms leading up to and during the 11 days of the championship. The project represents the newest component of Assist26, a year-long community initiative designed to amplify the impact of hosting the World Junior Championship throughout Minnesota.
“This project is about more than just celebrating hockey—it’s about storytelling,” said Sky Boucha (Animakee Wa Zhing #37), chair of MNSE’s Native Initiative Advisory Committee and granddaughter of hockey legend Henry Boucha, which will lead the artist selection process. “We’re looking for a design that reflects the vibrancy of Indigenous cultures, the deep connection to this land, and the shared joy and resilience found in the game of hockey.”
Proposal submissions are due by July 30, 2025, with final selections announced on August 29, 2025.
Mural themes should: Celebrate the spirit of hockey in Minnesota Reflect important elements of Indigenous culture Highlight the power of hockey to build community and youth development Serve as a warm welcome to the global hockey community Respectfully honor Dakota and Anishinaabe lands The final mural will be digitally designed for flexibility across print, digital, and physical formats. Artists are encouraged—but not required—to include ideas for AR components to enrich the storytelling and fan experience.
Eligibility and Proposal Requirements: The project is open to artists residing in Minnesota. Artists must be an enrolled member of federally recognized tribe or a First Nations tribal community. Submit artist bio, tribal affiliation, past work samples, mural concept, proposed timeline, budget, and community connection statement Details and full RFP available upon request To apply or inquire contact Andrea Graham at agraham@mnsportsandevents.org.
Assist26 projects aim to expand hockey interest and accessibility in underserved communities statewide while building community spirit and engagement. Local sports organizations, event sponsors, and community partners are collaborating on legacy projects ranging from a summer youth sports jamboree to referee recruitment efforts. For more information about Assist26 initiatives, visit https://www.mnsportsandevents.org/Assist26.
About the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship The iconic IIHF World Junior Championship showcases the best men’s ice hockey players in the world under 20 years of age competing for the gold medal. The tournament, which features the future stars of the National Hockey League, will be held from Dec. 26, 2025 – Jan. 5, 2026, at Saint Paul’s Xcel Energy Center, soon to be known as Grand Casino Arena, home of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and PWHL’s Minnesota Frost, and 3M Arena at Mariucci on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Sports and Events is proud to partner with USA Hockey to host the 50th edition of World Juniors in Minnesota along with local organizing committee partners at the Minnesota Wild, Xcel Energy Center, University of Minnesota, Visit Saint Paul, Meet Minneapolis and Mall of America.
All-session and group play ticket packages for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minnesota are on sale now at 2026.worldjunior.hockey. For more information, visit WorldJuniorsMN26.com.
Sign up for e-news at WorldJuniorsMN26.com to receive the latest news and announcements. Follow MNSE on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Media Resources: Download photos, videos and other digital assets from Assist26 efforts here.
Media Contacts: Kathy Ross Pavek, PR Consultant Minnesota Sports and Events kross@mnsportsandevents.org 612-805-6599
Francis Forte, Brian Fishman Communications Coordinator USA Hockey francis.forte@usahockey.com 719-538-1172
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About Minnesota Sports and Events Minnesota Sports and Events is an independent 501c6 organization designed to bring significant economic, reputational, and social impact to the region through the attraction, promotion, and execution of world-class events. MNSE also advances community initiatives associated with each event with a focus on underserved communities and statewide engagement. For more information, visit www.mnsportsandevents.org.
