Owámni: Falling Water Festival, a celebration of indigenous Minnesota cultures. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, October 7, 1-5 pm at Mill Ruins Park, Water Works and Father Hennepin Bluffs Park.

Owámni is what the Dakota called the area at St. Anthony Falls. It means, “whirling or falling water” in the Dakota language, making it an appropriate name for this festival along the Mississippi River.

This free, family-friendly event, is co-presented by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and the St Anthony Falls Heritage Board to celebrate indigenous Minnesota culture with music, art, food, and more!

Artists and Organizations

Juanita Espinosa                                           Chholing Taha                                            Earth Circles – Fry Bread Love
Josef Reiter                                                    Misty King                                                   Marlena Myles
Ann Marie Schott                                         Mni Sota Arts                                             Briezy Hart
Graci Horne                                                   Chanelle Gallagher                                    Heart Berry
James Autio                                                   Anthony Drews                                          Ashley Hanson
Jessica Glidden                                             Dakota Spirit                                               Terry Kruger
Tara Perron                                                   Two Rivers Art Gallery                               Friends of the Falls
NACDI                                                            Minnesota Historical Society                  Hennepin County Library
Twin City Lacrosse                                      Native American Community Clinic        
Native American Law & Sovereignty Institute
U of MN Center For Changing Landscapes
  

Music and Entertainment

Emcees

Deanna StandingCloud
Trish Cook

 

Performers

Max Blake
Jada Brown
Tall Paul
Jackie Bird
Gakaabikaan Singers
Wathéča Records
Oshkii Giizhik Singers

 

Food

Sioux Chef/Tatanka Truck
Pow-wow Grounds
North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems
Chef Johl Whiteduck Ringuette
Wanna Wota Food Truck
Austin’s Catering

Stage Line Up

FATHER HENNEPIN STAGE:

1:00 – 1:10 – Deanna StandingCloud, emcee introduction

1:40 – 2:05 – Max Blake

2:35 – 3:35 – Jackie Bird, stage music & fashion show

4:00 – 4:30 – Chef Johl Whiteduck Ringuette, lecture & demonstration

4:35 – 4:55 – Gakaabikaan Singers

4:55 – 5:00 – Closing remarks

 

MILL RUINS STAGE:

1:00 – 1:10 – Trish Cook Emcee Intro and music from Wathéča Records

1:10 – 1:35 – Oshkii Giizhik Singers

1:35 – 1:45 – Friends of the Falls, remarks

2:10 – 2:30 – Tall Paul Hip Hop

3:40 – 4:25 – Jada Brown

4:55 – 5:00 – Closing remarks and music from Wathéča Records

Parking Tips

Water Works/Mill Ruins

Here are some helpful hints for public parking during the event. Parking in this area is paid meter parking for the most part.

  • Paid meters are available on S. 2nd Street in the areas of Portland Ave. & South 5th Ave.
  • Paid meters are also available on 1st Street South around the areas of South 5th Ave.
  • The event takes place on the downtown side of the river just off the Stone Arch bridge area. Parking in the areas of SE Main Street and walking across the Stone Arch bridge could be an option as well.

Father Hennepin

  • Public Parking is available on 2nd St. SE and University Ave. SE and surrounding streets.
  • Minimal Parking available on Main St. SE. However, Main St. SE is closed off at 6th Ave. resulting in a dead-end road.

As part of Parks for All, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is exploring how to integrate acknowledgement of land and Indigenous peoples into our work, procedures and spaces. We collectively acknowledge that the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board system is located on the traditional, ancestral and contemporary lands of Indigenous people. This land holds great historical, spiritual and personal significance for its original stewards, the Native nations and peoples of this region.

Indigenous Statement Parks for All [PDF]


Event Contact

Aaron Briner
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
612-499-9056
abriner@minneapolisparks.org