Q: What is the total cost of the Honoring Dakota Project, including the mural?

The mural creation portion of this project is the capstone of the first phase of The Honoring Dakota Project, which was conceived in 2020 and launched in October 2022.  During the past several months, through the Honoring Dakota Project, our community has created a space to celebrate and preserve Dakota culture and history.  The Honoring Dakota Project has offered a platform for healing and reconciliation, both for members of the Dakota community and for non-Indigenous community members seeking to learn more about the shared history and culture of the land.  We have asked people to consider their relationship to themselves, their community, and their environment through building community and collective solidarity.   The total budget for the whole project is $450,000. The mural portion of the project is $150,000.

Q: When will the mural be painted and completed? 

The paneling system for the mural will be completed during August, and the mural will be painted during September. The mural will be 1400 square feet created on a paneling system. The mural will be painted o the City of Red Wing’s building at West 3rd and Bluff Streets. This location, right off the Eisenhower Bridge of Valor at the entrance of our community, and with He Mni Can- Barn Bluff in close proximity, is a wonderful place to celebrate and honor the Dakota people and their contribution to our community.

Q: Who is creating the mural? 

The artists, Jeremy Fields and Collins Provost, of Thrive Unltd, were chosen by Prairie Island Indian Community.

Q: Can we see the mural before it is painted? 

The home page image of the website is an image of the approved mural concept. The Prairie Island Indian Community tribal council has approved the concept. It follows this project's theme of Mitakuye Owasin & the importance of relationships. Each section of the mural depicts local relatives in their natural environments. The sections are divided by a sweetgrass braid and a red willow twist with local wildflowers and medicines intertwined. The white “Dakota floral” designs are placeholders. Cole Redhorse Taylor, a Prairie Island community member and artist will design these. Each section will have additional details.

Q: How do you plan to continue this work?

The work is currently only budgeted and funded through the mural. If you want to see the work continue, please provide additional support.  The project team is preparing for the next phase of this project and seeking funding to continue this important work.