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2026 Wazíya Winter-Wind Celebration
Dakota communities were key guests in the earliest Winter Carnivals. Auguste Louis Larpenteur invited Dakota families to the first one in 1886, and Dakota villages continued to take part in 1886, 1887, 1888, and 1896.
Even after being exiled from Minnesota, Dakota families from my own reservation, Spirit Lake Dakota Nation (Mni Wakan Oyate) in North Dakota, traveled by train back into Minnesota to reconnect with our homelands and take part in the 1896 celebration.
Early accounts share the depth of our presence and diplomacy:
“One year a war dance was demonstrated after which representatives from the Dakota invited representatives from the visiting Ojibwe tribe to share a peace pipe. Many members from the various marching groups purchased authentic Indian moccasins from the Native American women.”
These stories remind us that Dakota winter knowledge, ceremony, art, and community helped shape the Winter Carnival from its earliest days. Our visibility was not symbolic: it was lived, creative, and central.
By bringing Wazíya Winter-Wind Celebration into the Winter Carnival today, we’re continuing that legacy in our own way:
Dakota winter teachings, Indigenous artistry, winter games, snow sculpture, storytelling, an Indigenous market, delicious food & teas, and free skiing & kicksledding.
A celebration of winter that honors where we come from and who we are today.
❄️ WAZÍYA WINTER-WIND CELEBRATION RECAP ❄️
On Saturday, January 24, our community gathered at the Battle Creek Recreation Center to celebrate Wazíya, the Dakota North Wind, through a day of Dakota winter teachings, contemporary Indigenous artistry, and community connection. As part of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, in partnership with Ramsey County Parks and Recreation, the celebration welcomed people of all ages to experience the beauty, resilience, and joy of winter together.
Artists Marlena Myles and Tanáǧidaŋ Tó Wiŋ, along with many incredible community members and guest presenters, shared a full day of hands-on learning, creativity, and cultural teachings.
Throughout the day, participants enjoyed:
• Dakota Winter Games with Jeremy Red Eagle
• Dakota Buffalo Dolls Making with LaVerne Whitebear
• An Indigenous Winter Market featuring 20+ local vendors
• A snow sculpture by Heather Friedli
• Dakota storytelling
• Dakota coloring pages and activity tables
• Delicious food from Trickster Tacos and Indigenous teas
• Free cross-country skiing and kicksledding
Families spent the day listening, learning, creating, shopping, playing, and connecting with one another. Guests warmed up indoors with crafts and tea before heading outside to embrace the winter season through recreation and Dakota teachings.
The celebration highlighted winter as a season of story, reflection, and resilience while sharing Dakota knowledge of the land, plants, animals, and the North Wind. It also celebrated the many Indigenous artists, educators, and makers whose work continues to strengthen our communities and keep our cultures thriving.
A heartfelt pidamaya to everyone who attended, volunteered, presented, performed, vended, and partnered with us to make this celebration possible. Your presence helped create a day filled with warmth, learning, laughter, and community.
❄️ Wazíya brought the North Wind, and together we brought the warmth of community.
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