Where: Battle Creek Recreation Center, Saint Paul Minnesota
When: October 4, 2025
Series: Marlena Myles & Tanagidan To Win Minnesota Parks Artist-in-Residence (MNPAiR) program (artists-in-residence)
On October 4, 2025, community members gathered at the Battle Creek Park Bluff Corridor to celebrate Éya, the Dakota Autumn Wind of the West, through a day of cultural teachings, art, nature, and community.
Hosted by Marlena Myles and Blue Hummingbird Woman (Tanáǧidaŋ Tó Wiŋ) as part of the Minnesota Parks Artist in Residence program in partnership with Ramsey County Parks and Recreation, the celebration honored the season of harvest, reflection, and renewal while creating opportunities for people of all ages to connect with Dakota knowledge and one another.
Throughout the afternoon, participants explored a variety of hands-on experiences, including botanical cyanotypes with Aiyana Kline and Courtney Cochran, cattail weaving with Ella Robertson, Native tea sampling with Blue Hummingbird Woman and Flores De Miel, Indigenous storytelling, a guided Dakota tree walk, Dakota coloring pages, augmented reality art, Native food trucks, and an Indigenous Autumn Market featuring local Native artists and makers.
One of the highlights of the day was the overwhelming community response to the Seeds of Change initiative. Every native yard sign found a new home, all of the educational bus materials were distributed, and more than 200 packets of native seeds were given away, encouraging participants to continue supporting pollinators and restoring native plant habitats in their own communities.
The Éya Autumn-Wind Celebration reflected the teachings of the West Wind—a season that reminds us to embrace both endings and new beginnings. Through art, storytelling, environmental stewardship, and shared experiences, the celebration strengthened relationships with the land and with one another while encouraging everyone to carry these teachings into the seasons ahead.
Wopida tanka to everyone who attended, volunteered, taught, performed, vended, and supported the celebration. Your enthusiasm and generosity helped create another joyful gathering where culture, creativity, and community could flourish.
The Éya Autumn-Wind Celebration concluded the 2025 cycle of seasonal Dakota Wind Celebrations at Battle Creek. Together, these gatherings continued to build a vision of belonging through Indigenous art, environmental education, and Dakota cultural teachings. We looked forward to welcoming everyone back in January for the 2nd Annual Wazíya Winter-Wind Celebration to begin the cycle once again.
Download these free resources
You are free to print these coloring pages and view the augmented reality of Waziya the Winter anytime, anywhere!
