Public Art at Owámniyomni

This public art project is part of the development of Water Work’s Park, on the Mississippi River. It is next to Owámniyomni (St. Anthony Falls) and the former site of Wíta Naǧí (Spirit Island).

Project details

Partner

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

Budget

$425,000

Status

Community engagement

About the project

This project is located at Water Works Park near the sacred Dakhóta sites of Owámniyomni and Wita Nagi. It is within the Dakhóta traditional homelands. It is located near Mill City Museum and the Stone Arch Bridge. 

The artists will create artworks honoring Owámniyomni. Owámniyomni is a place of deep significance and rich cultural heritage for Indigenous peoples, particularly the Dakhóta.

Their first assignment will be in-depth community engagement. This engagement will inform the design of the artwork.

Read the project goals and priorities

Process

In August 2025 an independent selection panel selected the artist team.

The artists will create artworks honoring Owámniyomni. Their first assignment will be in-depth community engagement. This engagement will inform the design of the artwork.

See the artists and selection panel

 

Aerial view of St. Anthony Falls

Owámniyomni, Jewell Arcoren

Watch the video to learn more about the importance of Owámniyomni and Wíta Naǧí to Dakota people. This video features Jewell Arcoren, Dakota and Ojibwe language educator and community activist. 

Goals

The goals for the public art project are:

  • Center Dakhóta values, stories and voices.
  • Recognize the lasting resiliency and influence of Native people.
  • Build collective relationships to land and water.
  • Cultivate collaboration, inclusivity and shared success.
  • Support the growth of artists.

Read the community goals and priorities for the public art project at Owámniyomni

Artists selected

The artists were selected using a process based on the City’s new artist selection policies for Native American-Focused projects.

Learn more about these policies

The selection panelists were Native American:

  • Educators
  • Artists
  • Culture bearers
  • Elders

The artists selected are:

  • Talon Cavender Wilson
  • Dani Prados
  • Lyric Duis
  • Arabella Howell

Artists

Three of the artists (Wilson, Howe and Duis) are Dakhóta from Pezihutazizi K’api (Upper Sioux Community).

Prados has worked with the Upper Sioux Community on art projects for almost five years.

Learn more about each artist

Talon Cavender Wilson Owamniyomni artist
Owamniyomni artist Lyric Duis
Owamniyomni artist Dani Prados
Owamniyomni artist Arabella Howell

Talon Cavender Wilson

Lyric Duis

Dani Prados

Arabella Howell

Related projects

This City effort is working with other Native American projects in the Twin Cities. One of those projects is Owámniyomni Okhódayapi. Owámniyomni Okhódayapi is a Dakhóta-led non-profit.

Learn about the project

Their goal is to create a future where Dakhóta culture has a vital presence and is embedded with Dakhóta values. This includes values such as mni wičóni, or water is life. They will be transforming land at Owámniyomni (St. Anthony Falls). The transformation will include restoration, education, healing and connection.

Contact us

Ann Godfrey

Community Planning & Economic Development

Email Ann Godfrey

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 320
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Lydia Four Horns

Arts & Cultural Affairs Department

Email Lydia Four Horns

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 510
Minneapolis, MN 55415