Uŋčí Makhá, Dakota Earth Spirit

This piece is situated at my favorite place in Imníža-ská ("White Cliffs" / St. Paul, MN) along the Wakpá tháŋka (Mississippi River). At present-day Indian Mounds Regional Park, Uŋčí Makhá (Grandmother Earth, Dakota earth spirit) stands to remind you this is Dakota homeland. She is surrounded by Dakota floral medicine plants. The Dakota on her shirt translates to, "Don’t make those without their minds famous" — a warning that if we’re not careful, we'll end up with leaders who don't care about the environment or the health of the people.