Good Relatives Series: Caring for the River

Dakota people view Ȟaȟa Wakpá (Mississippi River) to be a living relative, a source of life and abundance. What does it mean to be a good relative to the river? How can we care for her with respect and reciprocity? Join Owámniyomni Okhódayapi and partners for a community meal and roundtable discussion about awaŋyaŋkapi (all-encompassing care), river health, and environmental restoration. Register for the event here.

Panelists:

Wakinyan Skye LaPointe is Sicangu Lakota, an Indigenous Human Rights advocate, and Co-Convener of the Mni Ki Wakan: Indigenous Water Decade. He centers Lakota knowledge, language, and ways of life in his work across human rights, working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and youth.

Rylee Hince is Director of Natural Resources and Land Planning at Prairie Island Indian Community, where she provides strategic direction for food systems, land and environment, Tribal historic preservation, land planning, and the buffalo project. She brings deep experience in watershed protection, nature-based solutions, public policy, coalition building, and community-centered environmental leadership, including more than a decade leading restoration and advocacy work in the Upper Mississippi River watershed.

Kevin Reich is a long-time community leader with more than 20 years of experience in economic development, public infrastructure investment, sustainable land use, environmental practices, and community empowerment. Kevin currently serves as the executive director of the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO), where he oversees daily operations and leads initiatives aimed at promoting stewardship of the watershed through capital projects, education, and outreach.

This event is part of River Days of Action (June 1–15) — One Mississippi’s two weeks of in-person and online events connecting people across the country to the Mississippi River and making a difference for people, land, water and wildlife. Explore more events at mississippiriver.org/river-days-of-action.