Header artwork by Art Kenyon
The Dakota people have a long and complex history with the United States government, and the effects of colonization and forced assimilation continue to impact the community today. Reconciliation is not possible without truth, and learning the truths of the shared and interdependent histories of the Mdewakanton Dakota and the European settlers that displaced them from their ancestral lands. It is a great and invisible wound that affects the mental health and wellbeing of everyone in the Prairie Island and Red Wing communities.
In 2020, in the midst of the pandemic and racial reckoning happening in the United States, the conversation about the history of cultural genocide, land theft, Indigenous boarding schools, and the ongoing effects of these experiences was raised as an issue that needed addressing and healing among and between the people of Red Wing and Prairie Island. The project was developed out of the ongoing need to search for the wisdom and stories of the Dakotan people and acknowledge the Dakota as a vital member of the Red Wing community.
These conversations spurred the official launching of the project, in partnership with the Prairie Island Indian Community, the City of Red Wing, Goodhue County Health and Human Service, and Red Wing Arts. The Indigenous led organization, Thrive Unltd, joined the efforts. As facilitators and artists, Jeremy Fields and Collins Provost, helped facilitate community engagements and translated these experiences into the concept of the mural which would be created and prominently located near He Mni Can (“Barn Bluff’). A year-long process of community conversations and events provided education to discover shared stories, bridge the communities, and create a space for healing, which was the basis of the community-informed creation of the mural. The mural was a gift to the Prairie Island Indian Community on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, October 2023.
The method of this project’s collaborative work proved to be unique and groundbreaking. With support from the community and partnering organizations, the project continued beyond the original vision of gifting the mural.
“In the beginning, we all came together to bring a mural to the Red Wing landscape that would create space and honor the Dakota Indigenous relatives of the area. As we began unraveling the context and purpose of the mural, we realized collectively, the importance of relationship and the necessity of community. This project has come to embody shared experiences, family and tribal lineages, collective healing and much more. It has grown far beyond brush strokes and paint. We are creating a community legacy, of which the effects will continue to ripple for generations to come.”
the communities
The Honoring Dakota Project serves the people of Red Wing, the Dakota neighbors of the Prairie Island Indian Community, and the surrounding communities that share the original homelands of the Dakota Oyate (people).
About the Prairie Island Indian Community
The reservation of Prairie Island Indian Community, located 13 miles Northwest of Red Wing, is a Sovereign Nation with a membership of approximately 1100 Dakota Oy. Many of the local members of the Prairie Island Indian Community live, work, and go to school in Red Wing.
Prairie Island Indian Community is a vibrant and growing Tribal government. Their members descend from the Bdewakantunwan (Mdewakanton) Band of Eastern Dakota. They are the Dakota Oyate (people), also commonly referred to as the Minnesota Sioux.
As Dakota, they are guided and united by their core values. These values are rooted in their very existence as a Tribe and reinforced through our creation stories, history, and oral traditions. Their values shape their history and culture.
About the Red Wing Community
Red Wing, Minnesota, holds a rich tapestry of history, deeply intertwined with the Dakota Oyate (Dakota Nation). The area, nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River, was originally inhabited by the Dakota people. Their culture emphasized harmony with nature, and they thrived in the region for centuries before European settlers arrived.
The mid-19th century marked the arrival of European settlers, primarily of Scandinavian and German descent, attracted by the fertile land and strategic river location. In 1853, Red Wing was officially founded and named after the Dakota Chief "Red Wing." The town quickly became a hub for agriculture, milling, and trade due to its prime location along the Mississippi River.
In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to acknowledge and honor the shared history between Red Wing and the Dakota Oyate. This includes initiatives to recognize sacred sites and promote cultural understanding. The community continues to celebrate its diverse heritage with events and educational programs that highlight both its indigenous roots and immigrant stories.
Red Wing, MN, today stands as a testament to the rich and complex history that has shaped its development, reflecting both the resilience of the Dakota people and the contributions of its settlers.
Beyond Prairie Island Indian Community and Red Wing - Community, Land, and Interconnectedness
The concept of community within the Honoring Dakota Project transcends modern geographical boundaries, embracing a vision rooted in the traditional understanding of the Dakota Oyate. In the Dakota worldview, community is not confined to the artificial borders of cities or delineated areas. The Dakota homelands extend well beyond the present-day boundaries of Red Wing and the Prairie Island Indian Community, encompassing a vast region rich in cultural and spiritual significance.
By acknowledging this broader sense of community, we aim to foster a deeper connection to the land and its original stewards, promoting a sense of belonging and unity that transcends contemporary divisions.
By embracing this expansive concept of community, we invite everyone to join us in a journey of learning, respect, and mutual recognition, acknowledging that our strength lies in our unity.
Learn more about working with the Honoring Dakota Project team.