By Katie Davidson

As of October, those who drive from the Wisconsin border over the Eisenhower Bridge of Valor into Red Wing now have a clear view of the Honoring Dakota Mural. The mural covers what was once a cement block building near He Mni Can, also known as Barn Bluff, and attempts to help bridge the Prairie Island and Red Wing communities and provide a space for healing.

When the City of Red Wing composed its 2040 plan, using art to represent all community members — especially the Dakota people — was a top priority. As of now, there is little representation of the Dakota people within the city.

“You could drive through the city, and you wouldn’t even know we were here,” says Nicky Buck, Prairie Island Indian Community member, Red Wing resident, and school board member.

Buck says partnering with the City of Red Wing was an opportunity for the Prairie Island Dakota people to share the similarities of the Red Wing and Prairie Island communities.

“We’re not that different from any other culture,” says Buck. “This mural is important so that we can highlight all of our diversity and still be respectful of one another. Colonization is the only thing that divides us.”

Choosing a theme

The central theme of the Honoring Dakota Project — which began as the Dakota Mural Project, but was renamed due to the project’s expansion — is “Mitakuye Oyasin,” or “We are all related.”

Project organizers from both communities say it means that although we don’t always know what it means to be related, we know deep down we want to be in harmony with each other by being good relatives.

“It’s been about people learning from each other and realizing we are family, we are neighbors, we are people who live in the same space — and how can we get to know each other better,” says Michelle Leise, Red Wing community engagement facilitator.

The project continues

The mural was the initial focus of the project, a collaboration that started three years ago between Prairie Island Indian Community, Prairie Island Family Services, the City of Red Wing, Goodhue County Health and Human Services, Red Wing Arts, and Thrive Unltd. Now the Honoring Dakota Project consists of community conversations, crafts circles, and a community celebration of art. It also included a community celebration on 2023 Indigenous Peoples Day when the mural was unveiled.

But the mural is just a point in time, according to Leise. The project — and partnership — won’t end now that the mural is completed.

“This is definitely not something where we’re going to do a mural, and then we’re going to check that off, and then that’s done,” says Leise. “We’re getting to know people as neighbors, and friends, and each other.”

Leise says the city knew Prairie Island and Red Wing community members were “hungry” for the opportunity to come together and hear one another’s perspectives. “Once you start doing that over and over and bit by bit, some of those hesitations or fears drop away a little bit each time.”

Buck hopes to see other bordering cities begin reconciling with neighboring tribal nations, embracing their differing cultures while recognizing their similarities.

What words of advice does she have for cities hoping to bring all community members’ voices to the table?

“When we have different viewpoints and disagreements — this is just human beings in general — we tend to talk over people and not really listen to what they have to say. My advice would be to listen,” says Buck. “Be present, show up, and listen.”

Visit the Honoring Dakota Project website to learn more about the creation of the mural and ongoing related events: honoringdakota.org.

Katie Davidson is communications coordinator with the League of Minnesota Cities.