Minneapolis: Reclaiming Native Roots and Embracing an Indigenous Cultural Renaissance

Minneapolis and nearby Saint Paul, part of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, have long been at the heart of Indigenous culture in the U.S. Home to sacred Dakota lands, the area known as Bdote has seen a resurgence of Indigenous traditions and a renewed focus on Native rights. Bdote means “the place where two rivers meet” in the south of the Twin Cities and is the junction of Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. Historically significant as the birthplace of the Dakota people, Bdote is also the site of tragic events, including the exile of the Dakota after the U.S.-Dakota War in 1862. This painful history is now being recognized and honored as part of a broader effort to reclaim Native culture in the Twin Cities.

After being displaced for decades, the Dakota began returning to Minnesota following the 1956 Indian Relocation Act, which aimed to incentivize Native people to leave reservations for urban areas. However, many who relocated faced immense challenges, from job instability to racial discrimination, particularly in Minneapolis’ Franklin Avenue neighborhood, which became the heart of the Indigenous community. In the 1960s, the American Indian Movement (AIM) was born out of this struggle, giving rise to a civil rights movement for Native Americans. AIM, with its roots in Minneapolis, advocated for Native sovereignty and the preservation of cultural traditions, a legacy that continues to this day.

Fast forward to the present, the Twin Cities are experiencing what many are calling an Indigenous cultural renaissance. From art to food, music, and activism, Native culture is flourishing in these urban spaces. Franklin Avenue, once lined with bars and rife with racial tensions, is now home to vibrant street art created by Indigenous artists, highlighting the rich traditions and resilience of Native people.

One such figure leading the charge in preserving and celebrating Native culture is Shelly Buck, a Dakota leader working to restore Bdote, the sacred confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers. Through her organization, Owámniyomni Okhódayapi (Friends of the Falls), she advocates for the restoration of the land and its eventual return to Dakota control. Their vision is to create a space where Dakota culture can thrive, connecting the community to the land that holds deep spiritual significance.

Saint Paul, MN
Iconic Robert Street Bridge Over Mississippi River

Visitors to Minneapolis and Saint Paul have ample opportunities to engage with Native history and culture. The Learning From Place: Bdote tour, led by Dakota guides, offers an immersive journey into sites of historical and spiritual significance, from Fort Snelling State Park to sacred burial grounds. These tours provide an in-depth look at the area’s history, including the devastating impact of the U.S.-Dakota War and the Dakota exile, while also celebrating the resilience and cultural revival of the Dakota people.

This resurgence of Indigenous culture is not just about reclaiming history but about fostering a future where Native traditions, stories, and communities are alive and thriving. Kate Nelson, a local writer of Tlingit origin, points to the “Native awakening” happening nationwide, with Minneapolis at the forefront of this movement. Native leaders like Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, are working to ensure that Native voices are heard and their contributions to society are recognized.

As more galleries, restaurants, and organizations in the Twin Cities continue to honor the Indigenous past, a new sense of Native pride is emerging after centuries of hardship and marginalization. The Twin Cities are now not only a place of modern Native activism but also a vibrant hub of Native creativity and cultural expression.

For those interested in exploring this cultural renaissance firsthand, the Great Northern Festival offers a chance to experience Native culture through various public events, tours, and exhibits. As Native communities continue to reclaim their heritage and land, Minneapolis and Saint Paul are becoming beacons of Indigenous creativity, resilience, and renewal.

In this revival, the pain of the past is acknowledged, but the focus is on healing, reconciliation, and the preservation of a culture that continues to shape the Twin Cities. Visitors are encouraged to engage with both the joys and traumas of Indigenous history in the area and to appreciate the depth and richness of Native life in the heart of Minnesota.