A Brief History Lesson

It is known that humans have lived in Mni Sóta Maḳoce, Land Where the Waters Reflect the Clouds (Minnesota), for at least 10,000 years. The first recorded human inhabitants of the area of Minneapolis were the Wahpekute group of Dakota, part of the Oceti Ŝakowiŋ people (People of the Seven Council Fires which also includes Lakota and Nakota speaking tribes). The nearby confluence of Wakpá Tháŋka (Mississippi River) and Mni Sóta Wakpa (Minnesota River), Bdoté, is land sacred to the creation stories of the Dakota. Most of the land in this area was stolen by white colonizers through forced cession in the 1851 Treaty of Traverse des Sioux. The Native people of this land were forcibly removed and suffered genocide and ethnic and cultural cleansing at the hands of both state and federal governments. 

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We Are On Dakota and Anishinaabe Land

Dakota, Anishinaabe, and people of many other Native nations continue to live throughout Minnesota. Their culture, gifts, and contributions, amidst continued colonialism and oppression, are innumerable and invaluable. The land that we all walk upon, and that I guide you upon, is not only sacred in its own right, but is land stolen from the first people who tended it. It is all Indigenous land. 

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Whose land are you on? Start your learning journey here: native-land.ca

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Knowledge

While "forest therapy" or "forest bathing" is just one pathway for many people to repair broken or forgotten relationships with the earth, we must remember that every culture throughout history, and many to this day, have a connection to nature and the environment that is often spiritual, sacred, and reciprocal. This is not new knowledge, and there are many ways to learn about and restore our relationship with the land.

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Reparations

Many things that have influenced my own relationship to and knowledge of nature have been learned through generous teachings and offerings of Indigenous people both in Minnesota and throughout the world. I do not take these gifts for granted. I believe it is vital and imperative that we listen to and uplift the voices of those who were here first, as I wish my ancestors had done when they arrived here. I do not own land to give back, but I will do what I can by showing up, learning, and sharing. I also commit to giving 10% of what I earn from every walk back to Indigenous groups, particularly those doing work related to tending land, land back initiatives, and sovereignty. I will share where donations have gone on this page.

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I am imperfect and strive to continue learning and doing better. If you are a Native person or organization who would like to have a discussion, share your thoughts, request time, suggest a place where donations are needed, or experience a guided walk at no cost, please reach out.

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Projects/Organizations Funded

Wakaŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi - Wakaŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi is a Native-Led, East Side environmental conservation nonprofit engaging people to honor and care for our natural places and the sacred sites and cultural value within them.

Dream of Wild Health - The mission of Dream of Wild Health is to restore health and well-being in the Native community by recovering knowledge of and access to healthy Indigenous foods, medicines and lifeways.

MIGIZI - MIGIZI provides a strong circle of support that nurtures the educational, social, economic and cultural development of American Indian youth.