Over the course of seven weeks, the youth from Urban Roots learned about our relationship with the Mississippi River, toured the location where the future Wakan Tipi will be built, interviewed a group of professionals who work in the outdoors field, and created a mix media visual arts project. Each youth was given a canvas to create whatever inspired them from the the seven weeks they spent together. Once together, the pieces form the Mississippi River.
The youth and professionals at the Bruce Vento Sanctuary.
Angie Tillges interviews Biftu Osmon on his experience.
Kajia Lee works on her piece of the puzzle.
Artists & Advisors
Nikol Dowls
Hlee Lee-Kron
Angie Tillges
Melissa Vang
David Woods
Willie Yang
Special Thanks
Asha Shoffner
Adan Torres
Kaja Vang
In Progress
Lower Phalen Creek Project
“The river is really important part of nature, especially for animals and plants and humans and all of us. It really helps us out in a lot of ways. It doesn’t just help us in the way where we can use it, the river is helps you relax by yourself or with friends and family and enjoy the view of nature.”
— Lashia Lee, 15
“I learned that the Mississippi is a very historical river for the state of Minnesota because the Mississippi is very special to the Dakota people.”
— Desire Negron, 15
“Talking to the professionals who were part of and leaders of the BIPOC nature community in Saint Paul really inspired me to draw the women of color I chose to draw. Sometimes it can be uncomfortable for people of color as they experience racism when out in nature. In the top right corner, I created a self portrait of myself enjoying nature as I love talking walks in various parks. The last part of my piece was the picture I glued on of downtown Saint Paul. I chose a picture of downtown Saint Paul because that’s where I grew up, and I grew up with a family who was always outdoors every summer.”
— Kaitlynn Yang, 16
“I learned that the idea of nature, from the Native American point of view, is a very western idea. For Native Americans, nature isn’t separate from humans and their daily lives. I thought the was really interesting, the idea that nature is already connected to us, it’s not something that you visit or at in.”
— Gustavo Ibarra, 18
“I think as a member of the community, if nothing else, educate yourself or call out companies when they’re polluting the River. At Urban Roots, we try to go by the saying, 'leave it better than you found it.’”
— Chris Weikert, 16
“What inspired me was the clouds during our trip to Harriet Island. They inspired me because of the shape of how they look and how fast or slow they move. I decided to do many colors so it could stand out more. I learned that the artists use a lot of techniques and they put a lot of effort into their art projects.”
— Megan Fang, 14
“My concept came from the field trip to the Bruce Vento Sanctuary. The staff from the Lower Phalen Creek Project talked about how native plants and species are considered sacred by the Native Americans, and they want to keep those plants alive as long as possible. Mother Nature gave it to us and we’re supposed to take care of it. They want to give back to our land because it provides us with food and beautiful things that we’re now destroying.”
— Kajia Lee, 17
“The Minnesota River is where I learned the skip rocks. My friend taught me how to skip rocks at the Mississippi River near fort snelling.”
— Biftu Osman, 14
Vinny Neloms
