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.

The evening featured unforgettable performances by Jackie Bird and Dakota Wind Goodhouse, whose music and flute teachings filled the pavilion with joy and positive energy. Guests also enjoyed moon and winter counting teachings with The First Scout, Dakota henna by Graci Horne, a guided Dakota plant walk, Native food trucks, Dakota coloring pages, augmented reality art, and an Indigenous Summer Market featuring Native artists and makers.

One of the highlights of the evening was introducing visitors to the growing community garden and sharing the stories and relationships of our Dakota plant relatives. It was inspiring to see people exploring the space, learning together, and connecting with the land in new ways.

More than anything, the celebration was about creating a welcoming place where people of all ages and backgrounds could gather to enjoy good food, beautiful art, meaningful conversations, and laughter. The evening reflected the spirit of Okáǧa—a season of growth, vitality, and transformation—and demonstrated how art and culture continue to strengthen community.

Wopida tanka to everyone who attended, volunteered, performed, taught, vended, and supported the celebration. A special thank you to Jackie Bird, Dakota Wind Goodhouse, The First Scout, Graci Horne, and all of the artists and knowledge keepers who shared their gifts with the community. Your contributions helped create an evening filled with joy, connection, and lasting memories.

The Okáǧa Summer-Wind Celebration continued to build on the vision for Battle Creek as a place where Dakota culture, environmental stewardship, art, and community come together. We looked forward to welcoming everyone back for Eyá, the Autumn Wind Celebration, as the changing seasons continued to guide our journey together.