About

The Place

Many people raised in Minnesota are familiar with “St. Anthony Falls,” a name given by Father Hennepin to describe the place where the Mississippi River once cascaded over a 50-foot limestone drop. Far fewer know the deeper history of this site – a history that has not just been ignored but in many cases actively silenced or erased.

The Dakota view Ȟaȟa Wakpá (Mississippi River) to be a living relative that provides abundance and connects us to our ancestors. Bdote, where the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers meet, is at the heart of the Dakota origin story. It is one of the places where Dakota people came into human form from the water. The Bdote area is the center of the world, or maká čokáya kiŋ. Water connects it physically and spiritually to Mni Owe Sni (Coldwater Spring), Owámniyomni (St. Anthony Falls), Wakaŋ Tipi (Carver’s Cave), and other sites sacred to Dakota people.

Dakota people came to Owámniyomni, or “turbulent waters,” for ceremony, and to Wíta Wanáǧi, Spirit Island, an island oasis in the mist kicked up from the falling water, to give birth. This was – and is – a place of gathering, trade, and offerings. It is a place where the physical and spiritual worlds blend, and where, through Dakota oral history, we learn about interactions with Uŋktéȟi (Water Being or Water Monster). These stories, told from an Indigenous perspective, were rendered invisible for generations.

Images: Minnesota Historical Society.

As westward expansion advanced and soldiers and settlers systematically displaced Indigenous people, Owámniyomni drew a different kind of attention. Industrialists saw the River as a resource to be extracted. The Falls became a catalyst for lumber and flour milling, and ultimately it became one of the most heavily geo-engineered sites in the region.

Owámniyomni was once over 1,250 feet wide. Today it is approximately a third of that size, held in place by a concrete apron and dam. The living River ecosystem was biologically diminished, and Wíta Wanáǧi was mined for limestone to build the booming Mill City. The narrow jetty south of the Upper Lock is believed to be all that physically remains of Spirit Island today.

To Native people, these activities were a desecration, incompatible with a world view in which the River is a spirit and a mother, and in which all living natural things are our relatives.

Images: Minnesota Historical Society.

With colonization came a cycle of systematic oppression, displacement, and genocide, including the imprisonment of Dakota people at Fort Snelling and the force abduction of Indigenous children to attend Christian- and government-run boarding schools. Indigenous communities were torn apart, separated from the River, their relatives, culture, language, and history.

Native communities are still fighting to resurrect and protect their culture, language, and history. We can help restore this story disrupted. We must protect places like Owámniyomni and Wíta Wanáǧi and recognize them as cultural treasures.

Siŋkpé at Owámniyomni

Welcoming relatives like the muskrat back to the River they once called home.

Očéti Šakówiŋ Oyáŋkapi

A place where all Dakota people feel welcome.

Dakota Tȟamakoce

This is Dakota homeland.

The Project

The Upper Lock and the land around it is currently owned by the federal government via the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Upper Lock was constructed in 1959 to allow commercial barges to navigate over the Falls, upriver to Upper Harbor Terminal. The Lock closed to commercial navigation in 2015 to halt the upriver spread of invasive carp. For more than 60 years, this iconic site on Minneapolis’s Central Riverfront has been fenced off with limited public access. The site is a barrier, not a gateway, to the River.

The vision for Owámniyomni is to transform five acres at the Upper Lock into a place of healing, restoration, education, and connection.

Owámniyomni Okhódayapi and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board are designing the Owámniyomni project and Water Works Phase II in coordination so the sites can be experienced seamlessly. This partnership expands our area of impact from five acres to eight acres and allows us to think beyond property lines about how we can restore Dakota culture and environment at the Falls.

We’ve come to see the evolution of the Owámniyomni project not in traditional development phases, but rather seasons of transformation.

The 5.2-acre project site is comprised of three separate parcels.

First Season

Engagement that centers Native voices.

2016-2022

Second Season

Developing a framework for Dakota leadership.

2023-2025

Third Season

Transformation through cultural & environmental restoration.

2026-2027

Fourth Season

Connecting and healing with all our relatives.

2028+

Collective Impact

This reimagined, Indigenous-led project is not occurring in isolation but is connected in spirit, process, and intent with a network of projects that collectively help us better understand our complex past and make our future more inclusive and equitable.

Wakaŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi, Bdote (Ft. Snelling Revitalization), Public Art at Owámniyomni, Indian Mounds Regional Park, River Learning Center, and others, are similarly concerned with elevating Native stories and Indigenous perspectives.

Each project is valuable alone, but taken together they represent a much larger gesture that will place the Twin Cities within the national conversation about Indigenous rights and truth and reconciliation.

Owámniyomni is located within the Mississippi National River Recreation Area, our river National Park and is a feature of the 10-state Great River Road, a National Scenic Byway.

Graphic by GGN, in collaboration with Full Circle Indigenous Planning.

Adopted Plans

There are several adopted plans that anticipated the transformation of this site and the broader Riverfront. They envision restored access to the River and, in some cases, creating a visitor center at the Lock. Those plans include the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board’s Changing Relationships to the Power of the Falls (2014), Minneapolis Downtown Council’s Intersections: Downtown 2025 (2011); Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board’s Central Riverfront Regional Parks Master Plan (2016); Meet Minneapolis’ Destination Transformation 2030 (2016); and the National Parks Conservation Association’s Transforming the Lock (2016). The Falls Initiative was also developed in the context of Minneapolis 2040 (2019), the City’s comprehensive plan, and the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Plan (1979, most recently updated in 2017).

View Related Plans

The People

Mission & Vision

Owámniyomni Okhódayapi is Dakota-led and the organization has a Native American majority board of directors. Owámniyomni Okhódayapi is creating a future where Dakota culture has a vital presence and Dakota values – such as mni wičóni, or water is life – are embedded into our communal existence. We are currently working to transform five acres of land at Owámniyomni (St. Anthony Falls) into a place of restoration, education, healing and connection.

Owámniyomni means “turbulent waters” in the Dakota language. Okhódaya translates to “to be friends with, to be friendly, or to befriend.” The words are pronounced: Oh-WAH-mini-yo-mini Oh-KOH-dah-yah-pee.

Learn more about Dakota language, orthographic variations, and the profound impacts of colonization on the Voices of the Falls blog.

History

The organization was founded in 2016 by Paul Reyelts and Mark Wilson in response to the closure of the Upper Lock to commercial navigation. The organization was originally called the St. Anthony Falls Lock & Dam Conservancy and soon renamed to Friends of the Lock & Dam. Its focus was to prevent hydropower interests from further industrializing the site. The Friends convened community, business, and civic leaders to discuss creating a visitor center to increase tourism on the River.

In 2020, the organization transitioned to the name Friends of the Falls to emphasize that its mission was to protect and honor the Falls – the only major waterfall on the Mississippi River. The Friends set aside its concept for a visitor center and began a journey to engage with Native American communities and gain an understanding about the cultural and spiritual significance of this place.

The Friends committed to creating an engagement process centered on Native voices. We convened the Native Partnership Council and hosted a series of Community Conversations that brought heritage and non-Native communities together to create a shared vision for the Falls. These discussions were grounded in Indigenous values, like Mitákuye Owas’iƞ (We Are All Relatives) and Mní Wičóni (Water is Life).

The transition to Owámniyomni Okhódayapi was not just another name change. It marked an important, intentional, and fundamental shift in how the organization operates. The name Owámniyomni Okhódayapi uplifts Dakota language and makes visible the fact that this is Dakota homeland.

Staff

Shelley Buck

President

Tinta Wita (Prairie Island Indian Community)

Shelley Buck became President of Owámniyomni Okhódayapi in January 2023. Buck is an enrolled member of the Prairie Island Indian Community and served 12 years on the Prairie Island Tribal Council, including six years as president. Prior to being elected to Tribal Council, Buck held other positions serving the Tribe, including enrollment clerk and government relations specialist.

Buck has a Bachelor of Science in business accounting from Indiana University and a Masters of Art in sports management from Concordia University. She holds a second Masters of Jurisprudence in tribal Indian law from the University of Tulsa.

Buck currently serves on as vice chair of the board at Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi in St. Paul and is a member of the Augsburg University Board of Regents. She also held the position of Alternate Regional VP for the National Congress of American Indians.

Kjersti Duval

Project Advisor

As Owamniyomni Okhodayapi's Project Advisor, Kjersti manages project work flows including the conveyance process and professional services necessary to affect the transformative restoration of the Central Riverfront through design and construction. She supports OO's coordination of these activities with the Dakota Nations, the City, the Park Board, and the USACE. Kjersti is CEO of Duval Companies and founder of Studio Civic | Duval, a practice line within Duval supporting the unique design, development management, and engagement needs of public interest projects and public-private partnerships. With executive experience implementing transformative urban projects in both private sector and public sector contexts, she has developed an informed perspective on how consequential places come to be. Kjersti is an affiliate of the Minnesota Design Center (University of Minnesota College of Design), and a contributing resource professional for the Mayor’s Institute on City Design. She also serves as a Park Commissioner in her hometown of Orono, Minnesota, where she lives with her husband and two children.

Barry Hand

Program Director

Oglala Sioux

Barry Hand has been working for the Twin Cities American Indian community for most of his adult life. He has developed and managed programs for Ain Dah Yung Center and the American Indian Family Center and taught Lakota/Dakota language at Harding Sr. High School, Bdote Learning Center, North Hennepin Community College and the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Most recently he served as the Language and Culture Coordinator for Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) where he taught Dakota Language at Red Wing High School and developed language and cultural programs for PIIC's community members.

Barry's deep knowledge of Dakota culture, history, and language and his vast professional experience in Indian Country are a welcome addition to our team at Owámniyomni Okhódayapi.

Kayla Pollard

Development Coordinator

Kayla Pollard is an insightful, people-centered leader that nurtures connection, curiosity and community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Hamline University and brings a strong background in stakeholder engagement, cross-sector project management and program coordination. She has led youth, fellowship, and equity programs with non-profit organizations such as the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery, The Minnesota Historical Society and The BrandLab. Currently, Kayla serves as Development Coordinator at Owámniyomni Okhódayapi, where she supports fundraising efforts, donor relations, and organizational growth.

Her desire to preserve history and culture is reflected in her work, which centers partnership building, community engagement, and event planning. Whether developing creative programs, cultivating relationships, or supporting organizational growth, Kayla brings a collaborative spirit and a commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices.

Angela Shober

Business Manager

Angela joined Owámniyomni Okhódayapi in 2020 with 20+ years of administrative and accounting experience. She has worked for a large local accounting firm as well as independently. Most recently, she has been involved with personal accounting and administrative services for area executives along with several private family foundations and businesses. Angela is responsible for accounting functions for Owámniyomni Okhódayapi including vendor payments, generating invoices, processing receipts, banking, generating financial reports and coordinating with auditors. Angela and her husband reside in the west metro and have two grown children and two dogs. In her spare time she enjoys being outdoors, travel and photography.

Margaret Richardson

Operations & Management Coordinator

Hannah Sorenson

Gift Officer

Hannah grew up on Dakota and Anishinaabe land in Northern Minnesota, where Ȟaȟa Wakpa can be easily crossed on foot. Northern Minnesota's natural abundance shapes both a way of life and industrial interest in the area, making mní wičóni (water is life / the River is a Spirit) both strongly felt and sorely needed. As a non-Native person, Hannah is passionate about contributing to efforts that realize transformation, connection, and healing in Minnesota.

As Owámniyomni Okhódayapi's Gift Officer, Hannah stewards resources, relationships, and processes to amplify impact, actualize Owámniyomni Okhódayapi's goals, and meet development needs. With 6+ years of experience building capacity around community-centered changemakers, Hannah's work bridges local and global changemakers from Minnesota to Myanmar. Prior to joining Owámniyomni Okhódayapi, Hannah supported incoming graduate students at Hamline University and facilitated VIA Programs' Social Impact Leadership Accelerator.

Kahomy Weston

Program & Project Coordinator

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Lakota, Laos

Kahomy Weston is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, she is part Lakota and Lao whose families come from Cherry Creek, South Dakota, and Laung Prabaung, Laos. Kahomy holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Oglala Lakota College and a vast knowledge of culture and cultural activities. Her experiences include program and grant management, supervision, youth mentoring, event planning, public speaking, and presenting. Kahomy's interests include beading, quilling, dancing at powwows, harvesting traditional foods and medicines, and spending time with family.

Amanda Wigen

Communications Director

Through her firm Wigen Consulting LLC, Amanda Wigen advises public and private-sector clients on the park designs, operations, programming strategies and community engagement methods that result in world-class public spaces. Amanda started her career in New York City managing programming and operations at the Bryant Park and 34th Street Partnership business improvement districts. She then returned to her Midwestern roots to help establish the park conservancy Green Minneapolis. As part of a two-person team, Wigen launched the revitalized Peavey Plaza and the new downtown park The Commons. At both sites, Wigen was crucial in developing flexible and cost-effective operating plans and building relationships within the community.

Sage Yeager

Outreach & Communications Assistant

Tinta Wita (Prairie Island Indian Community)

Sage Yeager is Mdewakanton Dakota from Prairie Island. She has a background in communication studies and is currently finishing a Bachelors of Science degree in Global Studies at the University of Denver, after which she plans to earn a certificate in nonprofit management.

Before joining Owámniyomni Okhódayapi, Sage owned and operated her own videography business where she specialized in wedding films and did varied contract work with local entities such as Prairie Island Indian Community. Her work history includes many positions in her Tribal community, most recently serving as the tribe's Enrollment Clerk.

Board of Directors

Shelley Buck

President

Tinta Wita (Prairie Island Indian Community)
Board Member since 2022

Kevin J. Armstrong

Treasurer

Board Member since 2020

Kevin J. Armstrong is a regulatory attorney and expert in financial technology law and corporate governance. He has built a reputation as a trusted advisor able to provide solid advice to drive business strategy, growth, and service delivery. He is an advisor and board director for NeuroColor, LLC who thinks broadly about his role as a trusted advisor. As an influential business leader, he has a consistent record of providing strategic and operational direction and support to drive growth. Kevin has a reputation of successfully collaborating across functional and business teams and effectively leverages his expertise in corporate governance, e-commerce, payments, digital, risk management and M&A to achieve business goals. With a focus on culture-building, he has been a vocal advocate for sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and equity, and has held leadership roles on corporate affinity groups, and promoted actions to create and foster purpose driven/value-oriented corporate brands.

Edna Brazaitis

Board Member since 2016

Edna Brazaitis, an attorney and riverfront champion, cofounded Friends of the Riverfront, a nonprofit whose mission is to protect and preserve the cultural and natural resources of the Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park. Since 2005, Friends of the Riverfront has advocated for riverfront parks. Edna is active on numerous boards and committees. In addition to Friends of the Falls, she serves as the Minnesota Historical Society appointee to the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board. She previously served on the boards of Mississippi Riverfront Partnership and Preserve Minneapolis. Edna is also a member of the St. Anthony Falls Alliance. She has advised on numerous plans and initiatives related to parks, heritage, and riverfront development over decades. From riverfront and St. Anthony park planning by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board to area planning by the City of Minneapolis to the Power of the Falls planning done by the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board, Edna has been an engaged and valued advisor.

Rebecca Crooks-Stratton

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Board Member since 2024

Rebecca Crooks-Stratton's profound connection to the River stems from her identity as a Mdewakanton Dakota person, deeply rooted in the land and spiritual heritage of her ancestors. For her, the River is not just a body of water: it is a living entity intertwined with Indigenous history and cultural significance. Rebecca sees Indigenizing the River as a vital effort to re-establish Indigenous narratives and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of Dakota people as original caretakers of the land and water. Owámniyomni Okhódayapi’s mission resonates deeply with Rebecca's vision, offering a platform to celebrate Dakota heritage and promote cultural understanding within the Twin Cities community.

With a wealth of personal and professional experience, Rebecca brings a unique perspective and voice to centering Native voices, caring for the land and water and fostering community connections. Her tenure as Secretary/Treasurer of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Business Council provided her with insights into tribal governance, community relations and strategic initiatives like Understand Native Minnesota. Through her active involvement in organizations like the Native American Rights Fund, MN Zoo Board of Trustees and National Congress of American Indians, Rebecca has demonstrated her commitment to advocacy, education and building meaningful partnerships. As a respected leader and advocate, Rebecca Crooks-Stratton continues to champion Indigenous voices and initiatives that honor the River's heritage and promote cultural revitalization.

Peter L. Gove

Board Member since 2017

Peter Gove's connection to the Mississippi River runs deep, shaped by decades of dedicated work and advocacy for its preservation and significance. His journey began in the 1970s by serving in key roles within Minnesota state government and the National Park Service during a pivotal period for the Mississippi River corridor. Peter played a crucial role in shaping the River's recognition as a national treasure as the citizen chair of the National Park Service commission that developed the general management plan for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA). In 1993, he solidified his commitment by founding Friends of the Mississippi River, a citizen advocacy group focused on water quality, land conservation, riverfront development and equitable access for all communities.
Peter's perspective on Indigenizing the River underscores the importance of honoring the Dakota people's homeland and safeguarding significant Native American sites. His extensive professional experience, ranging from executive positions in corporate communications to serving as Governor Wendell R. Anderson's environmental advisor and commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of environmental stewardship, community engagement and Indigenous rights. Peter's leadership roles in various environmental organizations, such as the Wild Rivers Conservancy and Trust for Public Land, reflect his ongoing dedication to caring for land and water, centering Native voices and fostering connections with communities.

Senator Mary Kunesh

Standing Rock Lakota Sioux Descendent
Board Member since 2022

Senator Mary Kunesh (Standing Rock Lakota Sioux descendant) was elected to the MN House of Representatives, District 41B, in 2016 and elected to the Senate, District 39, in 2020. She is the first woman of Native descent to be elected as a Minnesota State Senator. Through her tenure, she has passed legislation to create the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women's (MMIW) Task Force and the Missing and Murder Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office. Senator Kunesh serves as an Assistant Majority Leader for the DFL Senate Caucus. As an educator, Mary retired, from her role, as a public-school library media specialist after 25 years of service.

Greg Lais

Board Member since 2018

Greg Lais, a dedicated social entrepreneur and adventurer, discovered the transformative power of the Mississippi River in 1995 during a fishing trip below the Ford Dam. This experience sparked a profound connection to the River, leading him to recognize its monumental role in the Twin Cities. As the founder of Wilderness Inquiry, Greg built a substantial canoeing program on the River, known today as "Canoemobile." This initiative, featuring 24' cedar strip canoes, has introduced tens of thousands of youth and adults to the River, providing direct and meaningful experiences. For Greg, the Mississippi River is not just a natural resource, it is home: a sacred place that has inspired his life's work in connecting people of all abilities to its beauty.
Greg's professional journey focuses on building inclusive programs that make the River accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. His commitment to centering Native voices, caring for land and water and Indigenizing the River is evident in the profound impact Wilderness Inquiry has had on people's lives, transforming their understanding of the River and fostering a direct and spiritual connection to this essential natural wonder.

Robert L. Larsen

C̣aƞṡayapi (Lower Sioux Indian Community)
Board Member since 2024

Robert L. Larsen is a member of the Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota (“Community”) and grew up primarily within C̣aƞṡayapi. He was elected to the Community Council, the Community’s governing body, in 2013 and presently serves as the Community’s Council President.
President Larsen, also known as "Deuce" to many, is very active in his role advancing the interests of the Community. He also participates in matters supporting tribal/state relations and serves as the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Chairman. When President Larsen is not handling official business, he enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife, eleven children and one grandchild, playing pool, golfing and riding his Harley.
Members of the Lower Sioux Indian Community are part of the Bdewakantuan Band of Dakota. “Dakota” translates closely to "friend" or "ally" in Dakota language, and the Community refers to its traditional Minnesota River Valley homeland as C̣aƞṡayapi (where they marked the trees red).

Maggie Lorenz

Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe & Spirit Lake Dakota Nation Descendent
Board Member since 2022

Maggie Lorenz is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe and descends from Spirit Lake Dakota Nation. Maggie serves as executive director at Wakaŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi, a Native-led environmental conservation non-profit on Saint Paul's east side. Maggie has spent her professional career in the fields of education, cultural resiliency and healing, and environmental justice. In addition to the Owámniyomni Okhódayapi Board, Maggie serves on the board of directors for the F. R. Bigelow Foundation and the Tiwahe Foundation. She is a proud east sider and mother of three amazing children.

Austin Owen

Tinta Wita (Prairie Island Indian Community)
Board Member since 2023

Austin Owen (Tasia popo dowan), lives in St. Paul and represents Tinta wita Bdewankanton Prairie Island Dakota and the Hopi nation. He is one of many grandchildren to Amos Owen, a well known Dakota man who brought Dakota spirituality and reconciliation to the state of Minnesota and the world. As Austin has grown older he has continued to follow in Amos' footsteps through the teachings of his father, Art Owen, and uncle, Raymond Owen.

He also has a deep passion for music and has been in the industry for over 20 years. Austin received a degree in audio engineering from the Los Angeles Recording School. When not involved in music, he also works with the American Indian Prison Project which aims to continue changing the concept and definition of restorative justice using Dakota culture, values, and sacred teachings to reconnect our incarcerated relatives to their heritage.

Kit Richardson

Board Member since 2017

Kit Richardson is a founding Principal and owner of Schafer Richardson, LLC, a Minneapolis based real estate development firm. A registered Architect, Kit began his professional career working in the office of famed Minneapolis Architect, Ralph Rapson, before forming his own architectural firm with another partner. After spending a number of years practicing architecture, and later working in the real estate investment brokerage industry, he co-founded Schafer Richardson, LLC in 1995. Kit spends the majority of his time at SR in conceptual design, entitlement, and construction review of virtually all of SR’s projects, with a special interest in historic properties.

Mona Smith

Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate
Board Member since 2023

Mona Smith, a Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota multimedia artist and educator, intricately weaves her life's narrative around the meandering currents of the Mississippi River. Raised in a predominantly white river town, Mona's childhood was shaped by the River's dual nature – a source of joy and tranquility until the transformative flood of 1965 revealed its unpredictable facets. Mona spent countless hours immersed in the River's embrace: swimming, boating, observing barges and contemplating the intricate dance of river life.

For Mona, Indigenizing the River is not about changing the River itself but transforming humanity's relationship with it. Recognizing the River as a living being that we share the Earth with prompts us to reconsider decisions for a shared future.

In her work as a multimedia artist, Mona amplifies the voices and perspectives of Dakota and other Indigenous communities, providing a platform for non-Native individuals to deeply listen and understand alternative worldviews. As a co-founder of Allies: media/art and the Healing Place Collaborative, she uses multimedia installations and web projects like bdotememorymap.org and bdemakaska.net to foster connection, understanding and healing. Mona's involvement in the Dakota Community Council, her consultancy for Indian Mounds Park and her dedication to the Mapping Spectral Traces International Network showcase her commitment to centering Native voices, caring for land and water and fostering meaningful connections within communities.

Cris Stainbrook

Oglala Lakota
Board Member since 2022

Cris Stainbrook, Oglala Lakota, has been working in philanthropy for 35 years and has been President of Indian Land Tenure Foundation since its inception in 2002. As the Foundation’s president, Stainbrook provides leadership, strategic direction, management, fundraising and policy oversight to the organization with an emphasis on the successful implementation of the Foundation’s mission. He also serves as Chairman of the Board for Indian Land Capital Company, ILTF’s lending subsidiary. Before joining ILTF, Stainbrook spent 13 years at Northwest Area Foundation, where he held several positions. As program officer, he managed grant making programs in sustainable development, natural resource management, economic development and basic human needs. During his final four years with Northwest Area, he served as the community activities lead, overseeing a rapidly growing staff and implementing new programs aimed at developing community-directed plans.

Stainbrook was a founding member of Native Americans in Philanthropy and served on the board of directors for 11 years. He was also a founder and longtime advisory committee member of the Two Feathers Endowment of The Saint Paul Foundation. He currently serves on the board of the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities Stainbrook holds a bachelor of science from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in fisheries science from Oregon State University.

Dana Thompson

Vice Chair

Sisseton Wahpeton and Mdewakanton Dakota Descendent
Board Member since 2022

Dana Thompson, a lineal descendent of Wahpeton-Sisseton and Mdewakanton Dakota Tribes, shares a connection to the River woven deeply into her personal and professional journey, reflecting a profound reverence for the land and water that sustains life. As a founder of Owamni Restaurant, Dana's work to indigenize Ȟaȟawákpa (the Mississippi River) holds a special significance. Bringing her daughter home to Nicollet Island, a place rich with Indigenous history, with the guidance of an Indigenous doula, not only deepened Dana's connection to her heritage but also instilled a sense of healing and respect for the Indigenous history of the place. Learning about the feminist and Indigenous roots of Wíta Wanáǧi (Spirit Island), despite its destruction by colonizers, underscored the importance of reclaiming and honoring ancestral lands as spaces of peace, healing and connection.
Dana's perspective on Indigenizing the River stems from a recognition of colonial history's shortsightedness and greed, contrasting it with the Indigenous understanding of stewardship and consequences. Drawing from her Dakota heritage, including her grandfather's work on preserving original waterway names, Dana's lifelong dedication to social entrepreneurship, food sovereignty and honoring Indigenous heritage reflects her belief in leveraging education and community engagement to create lasting positive change in reclaiming and indigenizing spaces like the Minneapolis riverfront.

Image credit: Heidi Ehalt.

Angela Two Stars

Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate
Board Member since 2020

Angela Two Stars, a proud member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, is on a profound journey of reconnection with the River that holds the echoes of her ancestry. In 2017, Angela returned to her ancestral homelands in Minnesota, rediscovering the sacred sites that were distant stories during her upbringing on the Lake Traverse reservation. Her ancestor, Solomon Two Stars, left the state in the aftermath of the Dakota exile in 1862. Angela's return signifies a deep commitment to learning and honoring the sacred sites that have been inaccessible to Angela and other exiled Dakota people for so long.
To Angela, Indigenizing the River means fostering a relationship with the River that mirrors the respect and honor Indigenous people inherently attribute to it, as opposed to viewing water as a mere commodity. As a visual artist and curator, Angela brings her cultural identity into every artwork she creates. As the director of All My Relations Arts, a program of the Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI), Angela has dedicated her professional career to centering Native voices, history, culture and experiences. Her impact extends beyond the gallery through curatorial work on exhibitions like "Bring Her Home, Stolen Daughters of Turtle Island," shedding light on the ongoing epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Angela's endeavors transcend traditional boundaries, gracing the shores of Bde Maka Ska with public art that captivates but also imparts the Dakota language through visual accessibility. Her commissions for the City of Minneapolis, Saint Paul Port Authority and Ordway Center for Performing Arts showcase Angela's commitment to integrating her cultural identity into the public sphere.

Mark Wilson

Co-Founder & Chair

Board Member since 2016

Mark Wilson’s passion for the River began in his youth, exploring the wilderness, observing pictographs and canoeing its tributaries. These experiences ignited a desire for land restoration, leading to his involvement in initiatives like the Gold Medal Park Conservancy and the Park Board's RiverFirst initiative. His experience researching and writing a documentary film script on European incursion on the Upper Mississippi River watershed further deepened his understanding of the River's significance.

Mark played a pivotal role in opposing a proposed hydroelectric plant at Owámniyomni in 2016. Working alongside Paul Reyelts, his efforts to halt the hydroelectric plant led to the formation of Owámniyomni Okhódayapi and brought to light the community’s desire to see Dakota culture restored at the site. As chair of the board, Mark continues to advocate for environmental sustainability, community collaboration and the restoration of sacred lands along the River, embodying a vision of harmony, respect and preservation for future generations.

Paul Reyelts

In Memoriam

Board Member 2016-2024.

Paul Reyelts' deep connection to the River traces back to his childhood on a South Dakota farm, which planted the seeds for his passion for architecture and design. Although his career took a financial trajectory, the downtown Minneapolis central riverfront beckoned in retirement, and Paul became a champion for public spaces along the River, including Water Works Park and Gold Medal Park. In 2016, Paul, and friend Mark Wilson, founded Owámniyomni Okhódayapi (formerly Friends of the Falls, Friends of the Lock & Dam) to redevelop the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock site. What began as a project to restore the natural landscape and river access evolved into a profound initiative to understand and honor the Dakota people's spiritual and cultural connection to the land. This transformative journey led the non-profit to pivot towards a broader mission of educating both Native and non-Native communities about Dakota history, culture and values.
Owámniyomni Okhódayapi has transitioned to Dakota leadership and a Native American-majority Board of Directors, and Paul, as a non-Native board member, embraced his role by listening, learning and supporting Native leadership in reshaping the narrative of the riverfront's history and amplifying Dakota voices. Paul described his work with Owámniyomni Okhódayapi as the most inspiring and gratifying professional experience of his life, demonstrating the profound impact that personal passion and dedication can have in revitalizing and honoring the sacred connection between a community and its River.

A Tribute to Paul Reyelts.

Friends & supporters:

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Paul Reyelts on May 26, 2024. Paul was an integral piece of Owámniyomni Okhódayapi and was instrumental at every stage of our evolution from inception (St. Anthony Falls Lock & Dam Conservancy) to the Dakota-led organization we are today.

Beyond his role as a co-founder, board chair and financial supporter of our organization, Paul was a true friend and passionate advocate for our natural spaces, the Mississippi River and the Dakota people.

In 2023, reflecting on his experience, Paul shared:

“Our goal is to transform the central riverfront into a place of healing and connection, to the water and to each other, while changing the narrative of this place’s history by lifting up Native voices. As a non-Native board member, my role is to listen, learn and support Native leadership in achieving this goal. This has been the most inspiring and gratifying professional experience of my life.”

Through his dedication to restoring both the natural landscape and Dakota culture at Owámniyomni, Paul leaves behind a lasting impact poised to create meaningful change for Dakota communities and the Minneapolis riverfront.

Pidáuŋyayapi, Paul. We thank you.

Paul’s obituary can be found here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Owámniyomni Okhódayapi?

Owámniyomni Okhódayapi is a Dakota-led organization creating a future where Dakota culture has a vital presence and Dakota values – such as mni wičóni, or water is life – are embedded into Minnesotans’ communal existence. The nonprofit is currently working to transform five desecrated acres of land at Owámniyomni (St. Anthony Falls), a place of deep cultural and spiritual significance to the Dakota people, into a place of restoration, education, healing and connection. It is also supporting the transformation of three additional nearby acres owned by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board.

What is the Owámniyomni project?

The Owámniyomni project is a Dakota-led effort to restore a five-acre site adjacent to the Upper Lock on the Mississippi Riverfront in downtown Minneapolis, along with three additional acres owned by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. Our goal is to transform the area into a space for cultural and environmental restoration, public education, community gathering, and healing led by Dakota voices and values. Through this transformation, we aim to uplift the visibility of Dakota people in their ancestral homelands along with the actively silenced history of this sacred site.

Owámniyomni Okhódayapi leads this initiative in collaboration with the four Dakota Tribal Nations in Mní Sóta (Minnesota):

Cansa’yapi (Lower Sioux Indian Community)
Mdewakanton (Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community)
Pezihutazizi (Upper Sioux Community)
Tinta Wita (Prairie Island Indian Community)

The lock closed to commercial navigation in 2015 and is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Parcels adjacent to the lock are currently owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, State of Minnesota, and other stakeholders.

Why is this project Dakota-led?

Owámniyomni (St. Anthony Falls) is a sacred Dakota site. Dakota people came here to pray, hold ceremonies and give birth at Wíta Wanáǧi (Spirit Island). This area held spiritual power long before it was claimed by settlers and industrialized. The Falls and Spirit Island were destroyed as Ȟaȟa Wakpá, or Wakpá Tháŋka (Mississippi River), was harnessed and industrialized.Centering Dakota leadership is not only appropriate, but also essential to healing the land, restoring relationships and acknowledging Indigenous sovereignty.

Reclamation is not only about healing the land at Owámniyomni; it’s also about healing people.

We cannot erase the pain of colonization on the Dakota people, but we can change the harmful systems that have minimized their presence and silenced their history by:

Rebuilding opportunities for Dakota people to physically and spiritually reconnect to Owámniyomni and the River.
Creating spaces where Dakota people feel welcome and visible in their homelands.
Demonstrating that land reclamation is possible not only in downtown Minneapolis but across the country.
Championing the inclusion of Dakota values and practices in community and business operations to advance lasting change and respect.
Establishing methods for Tribal Nations to engage with local governments, while respecting tribal sovereignty.

What is the scope and design of the project?

Owámniyomni Okhódayapi is restoring Owámniyomni to a living landscape in two phases.

First, we will create a natural habitat that welcomes relatives of all kinds back to the River.

The Owámniyomni project will restore natural beauty and vitality where ȞaȞa Wakpá flows through downtown Minneapolis. While design plans are still in development, this may include restoring the natural habitat of the site – such as blufftop prairie and oak savannah – to revive wildlife habitats, building an ADA-accessible multi-purpose path and defining touchpoints to the River, and removing the vacant Army Corps visitor center building and parking lot. It may also include community and interpretive spaces centered on Dakota language and lifeways.

There are no plans to add any new buildings to the site as the project focuses on reclaiming the native habitats and landscapes along the River.

In the second phase, we will focus on restoring the water by returning flowing water to the site, creating an accessible shoreline and integrating the Owámniyomni site with Water Works Park.

Who is designing the project?

The design team is led by a group of paid Dakota Knowledge Keepers representing multiple Dakota Tribes and communities. The Dakota Knowledge Keepers bring time-honored expertise in Dakota language, oral history, art, and sociology.

GGN is the lead design and landscape architecture firm for the project, and Full Circle Indigenous Planning + Design provides project strategy and Tribal engagement.

Additional firms and consultants offer design and technical support. They include HDR, EOR, Urban Ecosystems, ETM and Rockwise. These firms bring significant experience navigating regulatory, engineering and permitting processes; cost estimating; defining construction materials; and more.

How does the Owámniyomni project relate to Water Works Park?

The Owámniyomni Okhódayapi project site is adjacent to land owned by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

North of Portland Avenue: Water Works Phase II
South of Portland Avenue: Mill Ruins Park

Owámniyomni Okhódayapi works closely with the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board to ensure seamless integration between these public spaces.

Owámniyomni Okhódayapi and MPRB intend to align the design development and construction phases for the OO “water transformation” and Water Works Phase II. Once completed, a cultural conservation easement will ensure that Dakota stewardship practices are respected across boundaries.

Why isn’t the Upper Lock being removed?

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers considered removal during its disposition study but found that complete removal it is not feasible due to:

Potential erosion up to 30 miles upstream
Threats to Minneapolis’ water intake system

It may be feasible to remove the lock walls and install a passive weir system to regulate the flow of water. Owámniyomni Okhódayapi supports removal of unnecessary infrastructure and restoration of the landscape without compromising public safety or water access, and we will continue advocating for this outside the current scope of work.

What impact does this have on plans for the Lower Lock and Lock #1?

Disposition studies for the Lower Lock and Lock #1 are ongoing. Their potential removal is independent of the Upper Lock process but may affect water levels and future programming. Owámniyomni Okhódayapi has not taken a position on their removal but is supporting Dakota-led engagement in these discussions. More information is available on the Corps’ website.

Who owns the Upper Lock and adjacent property?

The Upper Lock closed to commercial navigation in 2015 and is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Parcels adjacent to the lock are currently owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, State of Minnesota, and other stakeholders.

What is the status of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Disposition Study for the Upper Lock?

The Army Corps of Engineers released a draft disposition report for the Upper Lock in January 2021. It recommended “disposing” of all federal property and seeking a new owner for the lock. After the draft was released, Congress directed the Army Corps to continue maintenance and operation of the Upper Lock and convey excess land adjacent to the lock to the City of Minneapolis or its designee.

In 2025, Owámniyomni Okhódayapi signed an Exclusive Rights Agreement with the City of Minneapolis and accepted terms to become the City’s designee. The title for the land will go directly to Owámniyomni Okhódayapi from the federal government.

A final disposition study report is expected after the conveyance process advances. More information is available on the Corps’ website.

Who will own the site?

In 2026, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will convey 5.2 acres of federal land to Owámniyomni Okhódayapi.

Owámniyomni Okhódayapi’s long term goal is for the site to be tribally owned. In the interim, Owámniyomni Okhódayapi has committed to absorbing the financial and legal risk of restoring stolen land. This transfer is supported by all four Dakota Tribal Nations in Mní Sóta.

An additional three acres owned by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board are included in the Owámniyomni vision. These parcels are being co-designed by Owámniyomni Okhódayapi and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, and a cultural conservation easement will enable Dakota land stewardship practices on those lands.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will retain ownership and liability for the lock structure itself.

Will the Tribes own the land in the future?

Owámniyomni Okhódayapi’s long term goal is for collective ownership by all four Tribes. In the interim, Owámniyomni Okhódayapi has committed to owning the site and absorbing the financial and legal risk of restoring stolen land.

Any path forward will be led by Tribal consensus; Owámniyomni Okhódayapi is committed to supporting whichever model the Tribes choose, whether that means collective Tribal ownership, single-Tribe ownership or continued stewardship by Owámniyomni Okhódayapi in collaboration with the Tribal Nations.

What is the project timeline?

Rather than follow a traditional development model, Owámniyomni Okhódayapi frames progress in seasons of transformation. Read more below or on our website’s Process page.

Season 1 (2016-2022): Foundations

- Closure of the lock in 2015 initiated conversations about new uses.
- Owámniyomni Okhódayapi was founded and began convening Native and non-Native stakeholders.
- Shifted focus from a tourist center to a community vision rooted in Dakota leadership.

Season 2 (2023-2025): Design and Dakota Leadership

- Engagement with the four Dakota Tribal Nations in Mní Sóta to determine preferred ownership and stewardship models.
- Development of design framework with input from Dakota Knowledge Keepers and Tribal leaders.
- Completion of 65% of site design (as of summer 2025).

Season 3 (2026-2027): Restoration

- Begin on-site restoration and construction work.
- Federal lands transfer to Owámniyomni Okhódayapi.
- Remove unnecessary structures, relocate utilities and reintroduce native ecosystems.
- Implement cultural and environmental restoration strategies.

Season 4 (2028 and beyond): Continuation

- Ongoing programming, stewardship and integration with regional cultural and ecological goals.
- Construct water cascade and shoreline restoration.

What, if anything, can impact this timeline?

Land conveyance in 2026 is contingent on the Army Corps removing existing structures. The visitor center and restroom buildings need to be removed before Owámniyomni Okhódayapi takes ownership.

Construction for the water transformation could begin in 2027. The timeline depends on completion of the capital campaign and aligning with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board’s next steps for Water Works Phase II.

How is Owámniyomni being funded?

Owámniyomni Okhódayapi has launched a comprehensive campaign to fund site transformation work, support organizational growth and programming, and to create a permanent endowment to ensure ongoing, Dakota-led maintenance of Owámniyomni.

Are the Dakota Tribes financially responsible for site reclamation?

No. The Dakota Tribal Nations are not responsible for restoring land that was taken from them. There is no financial obligation on the Tribes. Owámniyomni Okhódayapi assumes responsibility for fundraising, land stewardship and project implementation.

How are the Dakota Tribal Nations involved?

Owámniyomni Okhódayapi’s governance and planning processes are deeply guided by the four Dakota Tribal Nations in Mní Sóta.

Formal engagement includes:

Tribal Working Group: Appointed by Tribal leadership for regular input.
Dakota Leaders Meetings: Meetings with each individual Tribal Councils as well as the four Tribes collectively.
Board of Directors: Tribal members serve as volunteer members of the Owámniyomni Okhódayapi board of directors.
Knowledge Keepers: Paid members embedded in the design team, representing traditional Dakota knowledge and lived experience.

Owámniyomni Okhódayapi is also working with different Tribal staff on land and environmental aspects of the project, as well as programming and events. Participation is based on each Tribe’s preference and pace.

What is the vision and purpose of cultural programming at Owámniyomni?

Cultural programming at Owámniyomni directly supports our vision for restoring Dakota visibility, culture and connections at this sacred spot. It aligns with our plans for awanyankapi – caring for the land using traditional Dakota stewardship values. When you see the land, plants and animals as relatives, you tend to treat them better. Cultural programming at Owámniyomni will uplift these teachings to preserve Dakota lifeways and strengthen Dakota connections to the land and River.

What are Tribal Nations?

There are 574 federally recognized Tribal Nations in the United States. Tribal Nations have inherent sovereignty, meaning that the Nations’ authority to govern predates the formation of the United States and has existed since the Nations themselves came into being. Tribal Nations have the power and/or right to determine their form of government; define citizenship; make and enforce laws through their own police force and courts; collect taxes; regulate the domestic affairs of their citizens; and regulate property use, among many other authorities. Tribal sovereignty is recognized in the U.S. Constitution and other federal laws, all of which reaffirm Indian Nations’ rights to govern themselves and manage their own lands and resources.

Sources: National Congress American Indians, Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, Indian Land Tenure Foundation, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs

What are the four Dakota Tribal Nations in Mní Sóta?

The four federally recognized Dakota communities in the area we call Minnesota are the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community located south of the Twin Cities near Prior Lake; Prairie Island Indian Community located near Red Wing; Lower Sioux Indian Community located near Redwood Falls; and Upper Sioux Community, whose lands are near the city of Granite Falls.

Where can I learn more about Tribal Nations?

We recommend the following resources:

National Congress of American Indians, “Tribal Nations and the United States: An Introduction”

Minnesota Indian Affairs Council (MIAC), “Tribal Nations in Minnesota”

Indian Land Tenure Foundation, “Tribal Land Tenure Issues”

MIAC, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Minnesota Humanities Center, “Why Treaties Matter: Self-Government in the Dakota and Ojibwe Nations”

U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federally Recognized Tribes

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