Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi CI Report – Interim

What has been most instrumental to your progress?

In its original application, Lower Phalen Creek Project identified a goal of defining, managing, and supporting organizational partnerships related to community engagement at Wakan Tipi Center and Swede Hollow Park.

A significant success has been the deepening relationship with the federally recognized Indian communities in Minnesota, particularly Prairie Island Indian Community and its decision to begin the process to secure National Historic Landmark status for Wakan Tipi Cave within Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary. If awarded, the site would be one of only 26 locations designated in Minnesota and only the third site designated in Minnesota for its significance to Indigenous people.

Our original application stated we would create a “Many Paths” committee that oversees and guides all community engagement for the Wakan Tipi Center, as well as guides its own committee structure and process.

Lower Phalen Creek Project has identified members for the Many Paths Committee and begun convening this group to begin pre-design work for the future Wakan Tipi Center. The group is made up of community partners and representatives from all four federally recognized Dakota communities in Minnesota. This group is co-creating the programming and physical space designs for Wakan Tipi Center as part of a preliminary design study led by LCPC’s architect. Their input is also informing a business plan for Wakan Tipi Center which is currently being drafted and will be complete in late summer 2019.

For the past year, Lower Phalen Creek Project has been leading meetings with diverse community members to create a community vision for Swede Hollow Park. This group is focused on increasing equitable access, improving ecological health, and managing fresh water flows. The community engagement report may be found here: http://bit.ly/SwedeHollowRpt72019

Key lessons learned

One of the most important aspects of our work in the past year has been the understanding that Lower Phalen Creek Project must become an Indigenous-led organization in order to fulfill the community’s vision for protecting and increasing understanding of natural spaces that are important to Dakota people.

Along with the focus and vision for Lower Phalen Creek Project, we have uncovered the importance of supporting the practical day-to-day operations of this increasingly complex organization. In the past year, Lower Phalen Creek Project has built its infrastructure, retaining an outreach and communications associate and hiring a part-time financial coordinator. As part of this learning, we have also determined it is important to create a new position for Program Director to support the creation of programs that reinforce our Many Paths work.

Reflections on inclusive, collaborative or resourceful problem-solving

The most important element of the innovation process has been the inclusive nature of the work. We are gathering stronger and better input by having more voices at the table.

Other key elements of Community Innovation

No, inclusivity, collaboration and resourcefulness are the most important elements of our work.

Understanding the problem

The inclusive discussions with community and key stakeholders in both the Swede Hollow and Wakan Tipi projects have revealed deep knowledge and the true needs in our community. These efforts have led to greater community awareness of local parks, increased local interest in park use, and is shaping our ideas related to community desires for Wakan Tipi Center.

If you could do it all over again…

One of the biggest pieces of advice we would share with our earlier selves is the importance of investing in our organization’s infrastructure to support the work. In the past year, we have brought on an outreach and communications associate and hiring a part-time administrative assistant. These team members have made it possible for our leadership to focus on the “bigger picture” while ensuring day-to-day operations continue.

One last thought

We are grateful for the early and generous support of the Bush Foundation in our work. . As part of our interim report, we seek your approval to adjust our proposed expenditures to invest in the new position of Program Director starting September 1, 2019. This person will be responsible for creating programs that align with our work as an Indigenous led organization and support the ideas developed by our Wakan Tipi committee.