By Owámniyomni Okhódayapi | March 18, 2025
We feel fortunate for the growing community interest in the Owámniyomni project, including all the new advocates and supporters our organization gained in 2024. As we settle into the new year, we are highlighting one of our recent donors and their reasons for uplifting our work to heal sacred land and create a future where Dakota culture has a vital presence.
First Covenant Church was founded in 1874 by Swedish immigrants with a dedication to incorporating their faith into serving the poor and disenfranchised. The church is now located on the corner of 7th St. and Chicago Ave. in Minneapolis’ Elliot Park neighborhood and actively engages in several philanthropic and social justice efforts in downtown Minneapolis, including housing a 24/7 shelter within its fellowship hall for adult couples facing homelessness.
In fall 2024, First Covenant Church approached Owámniyomni Okhódayapi about donating to our project as a way to build on the congregation’s desire to invest back in its community.
Members of the congregation have deepened their understanding of the sacredness of Ȟaȟa Wakpá (Mississippi River) to Indigenous peoples and the story of the land their church occupies. Through their support, they want to honor the Dakota people as the original caretakers of this land while fostering broader opportunities for public education about Minneapolis’ Indigenous history. Congregation leaders see a great deal of alignment between the Owámniyomni reclamation project and the church’s values.
“We see it as two communities dealing with sacredness in their own ways,” said Claudia Oxley, a member of the leadership team at First Covenant.
The church first learned of Owámniyomni Okhódayapi and its reclamation project through coverage in the Minnesota Star Tribune. “It was a very easy yes [for our congregation to decide to donate]. … Why wouldn’t we want to be part of that?” Oxley noted.
Oxley believes that the Owámniyomni project will further excite people to not only learn more about Dakota history, culture and values, but also showcase Minneapolis in a different light overall.
“People are excited about the boldness of the vision,” said Oxley. When she’s had the opportunity to share information about the project with others, they’ve quickly sensed that the outcome will be “beautiful and lifegiving to everyone” as a space the full community can enjoy while reconnecting with nature.
We’re grateful for the support we continue to see from members of our community. Join us in bringing this vision to life. Learn more about ways to support Owámniyomni Okhódayapi.
