The Falls Initiative

Our vision is to create a place of healing and celebration at Owámniyomni (meaning “turbulent waters” in the Dakota language), or St. Anthony Falls, that acknowledges the past and advances a more equitable and inclusive future.

The first season of work for The Falls Initiative, September 2021 through September 2022, might be considered “winter”, a time for connection, storytelling, and preparation for what’s to come.

The first season of work included the initial convening of the Native Partnership Council, broader community engagement, and development of design concepts for this place.

Phases 1-6 below refer specifically to Community Engagement, which spans the first and second season of work.

We now approach the second season of work. In this “spring” season, as the flora and fauna come alive again, we move closer to implementation.

We consider models of ownership and operations – particularly Native ownership – and the technical considerations for transferring land from the federal government to a local entity.

We imagine how programming rooted in Native values can enliven this place and make it feel distinctly welcoming to the Dakota and other Indigenous communities.

And we explore the collective impact of this work – asking ourselves how The Falls Initiative can support and reinforce the work of other projects amplifying Native voices, locally along the riverfront and on a national stage.