Due to a lack of oversight and procedure the historic burial site along Highway 23 was destroyed, disturbing our relatives during a highway renovation. This heartbreaking and very emotional moment in our community was an opportunity for us to do better and make sure this never happens again. The disturbed cemetery along Highway 23 in Northern Minnesota continues to be restored and preserved led by the work of the Fond du Lac Band. Landscape architects Urban Ecosystems worked with Heart Berry to create a stone marker for the retaining wall marking permanently this site and preventing further disturbance of our relatives. Ojibwe people, like Indigenous People across the world, have extensive knowledge of the skies, stars, and use this knowledge...
Bineshiinh Ogitigaan (Bird Garden) New window installation at Eau Claire protects birds with beauty At Heart Berry we love to grow and learn. This past summer we worked with the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire to create bird safe windows. What does this mean? As many of you have probably seen, large windows can confuse our feathered friends and often result in them crashing into these unseen surfaces. UW Eau Claire is restoring Native plants to their grounds and with this comes more birds! We were tasked with the fun puzzle of creating huge pieces of art with no more than 3 inches of space between! This seems simple? haha jokes on us. But one of our favorite things is creating...
At Heart Berry we are all about making art for living! We have been creating work for the KwePack since its inception. Our CEO is one of the founding members of this Indigenous Women's Wellness group. The KwePack has been running races from 5ks to 50 milers since 2010. They have represented in the largest numbers as an Indigenous group to races across the midwest. This past May they hit the road for a half marathon on Madeline Island. Madeline Island is one of our pinnacle village and historic sites and the Kwepack was proud to represent Anishinaabeg at this beautiful event. Representing in new floral gear, check out their fun weekend! Want to learn more about the KwePack? Are...
Heart Berry teamed up with Jessie Stomski, Pro Basketball Player, and the University of Minnesota to bring together athletes, our communities, and learning together this past week.
The narrative about Dakota and Ojibwe relations has always been told as singlularly one of conflict. When St Cloud State proposed an art installation in their new American Indian Center, Heart Berry's artist Howes knew right away what she hoped for. "This area is so important as this place between our nations as Dakota and Ojibwe people. I really wanted to work with a Dakota artist on this project. Holly Young and I both loved the idea of sharing the story of the gift of the big drum from the Dakota. The Big drum to me is such an Incredible gift of grace." This pencil to digital collaboration pulls together the old stories with a modern installatin by Turtle Mountain sign...
