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...
New Riverfront Signage Makes History by Sharing Accurate History Gathered around the table last year by Holly Hansen of the City of Cloquet were tribal historians, language experts, scientists, artists, city historians, and officials. What began as a run of the mill discussion of logging and paper mills quickly shifted as the leadership from Fond du Lac flipped the table over to show what has always been there. History is so often taught from the perspective of colonialism as if logging and homesteading were the beginning of time. Why signs? Posted signage is a powerful educational tool. Whether its ready by tourists or parents watching kids play at the park, accurate history can change perspectives, welcome people home, and highlight...
Here at Heart Berry, this small business on the Rez, we are committed to Sovereignty. Sovereignty of our community, our culture, our economy, our bodies, and our futures. We love to utilize our cultural art and our space here with you to build that sovereignty. With the power of your support and collaboration of the MN Wonderwall our give backs to the ICWA Law Center and Wakan Tipi donated over $16,000! Just imagine what is possible! At a recent awards ceremony I was inspired to create a scholarship for Native students seeking education past high school. We have so much power to create space that supports our young native scholars and build a future more independent, more sovereign, than we...
As we all continue to learn and grow we were thrilled to be invited to share about the cultural teachings of the ode'imin or heart berry with the Fond du Lac Public Health Program. We invited our Auntie Roxanne Delille as she taught us so much about the lessons of the Heart. It's rare and beautiful to be able to gather across generations with our teachers and babies. Auntie Roxanne shared about her teachings of the strawberry and Giizh shared about how these have impacted the work of Heart Berry. Taking the time to identify a plant we feel a reciprocity and connection to we took time to create our own original piece of art. In our fast paced lives...
Under Secretary Don Cravins from the Minority Business Deveopment Administration and his team visited Heart Berry as part of their tour learning about Native businesses, tribes, and our unique communities. Showing up spectacular in their DC vibes in downtown Cloquet, Cravins and his team came to learn about some of our victories and struggles as a small Native business. "What struck me about their team was how down to earth they were, he asked some really great questions and I definitely felt heard by them. It is so powerful to see Brown folks in such powerful positions. I am honored they came to see us, feels such a far ways from my kitchen table. We talked about everything from racial...
