The Winona International Friendship Association (WIFA) was established in 2014 to coordinate student ambassador delegations with Misato, Japan. WIFA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization run by a volunteer Board of Directors.

 

Each year, WIFA accepts applications and interviews 8th-10th grade students who are interested in becoming ambassadors to Misato. Once selected, this group meets throughout the year to host the October Misato delegation in Winona, learn about the Japanese culture, and host fundraising events to offset their travel fees.

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Winona's Sister Cities:

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Misato, Japan

The sister city relationship between Winona, Minnesota, and Misato, Japan, has flourished over decades, fostering deep cultural ties and mutual understanding. Initiated in 1997 when Kogota (now Misato) invited Winona to become a sister city, the partnership has grown to include annual ambassador exchanges and educational programs.

In 2003, Winona sent its first delegation to Misato. Since then, the program has expanded, with approximately 15 students and 10 adults from Winona visiting Misato annually, representing both public and private schools. Each October, Winona hosts a delegation of ambassadors from Misato, engaging in activities such as cultural fairs, school visits, and community events. These exchanges provide participants with firsthand experiences of each other's cultures, fostering global awareness and personal growth.

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In 2024, the Winona International Friendship Association (WIFA) resumed its annual exchanges after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this visit, Misato unveiled a memorial in honor of Joe Lepley, a former Winona teacher who was the heart of the Winona-Misato program for many years. The memorial, facing the Princess Winona statue in Misato, commemorates his contributions in building this program.

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Bytów, Poland

The sister city relationship between Winona, Minnesota, and Bytów, Poland, was established in 2004. The partnership between Winona and Bytów was initiated by Father Paul Breza, a Winona native and founder of the Kashubian Cultural Institute and Polish Museum (KCIPM). His visits to Bytów in the late 1980s and 1990s inspired the collaboration, recognizing the Kashubian roots of many Polish immigrants who settled in Winona during the late 19th century. Winona is currently known as the Kashubian Capital of America.

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Over the years, the KCIPM has facilitated numerous student and adult exchanges between the Winona and Bytów communities. Students and adults from both cities have participated in reciprocal visits, fostering understanding and appreciation of each other's cultures. The KCIPM in Winona has been instrumental in these efforts, hosting exhibits and events that highlight the shared heritage. To learn more about the Bytów student exchange and about Kashubians and their roots in Winona, visit the KCIPM's website.