Indigenous Heritage in Saint Paul

Celebrate and honor Saint Paul's Indigenous community through our guide to historic sites, vibrant festivals, local restaurants, and organizations to support.

Community Celebrations
Experiences & Attractions
Organizations & Resources
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Woven into Saint Paul's History

Mni Sóta Makoce (Minnesota) is home to seven Anishinaabe (Chippewa, Ojibwe) reservations and four Dakota (Sioux) communities. Sitting along the banks of the Mississippi River, the city of Saint Paul has served as an integral part of the Dakota people for thousands of years. Bdote, translating to "where two waters come together," signifies the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers in the southeastern region of Saint Paul, which is also a sacred Dakota place of creation.

Today, the culture and traditions of the Dakota Tribe and other Native peoples continue to shape our city's rich identity. Discover where you can explore the historical significance of the area, support Indigenous-owned businesses, and connect with community organizations to empower the past, present, and future of the Native American community in Saint Paul.

Community Celebrations

From cheering on your favorite team during a themed sports game to delving into authentic cuisine, there is plenty to experience in Saint Paul that celebrates the traditions that make our vibrant Native community so special.

Minnesota United FC: Native American Heritage Night

Head to Allianz Field to watch Saint Paul's own men's professional soccer team, the Minnesota United FC, take on the Houston Dynamo for Native American Heritage Night on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

Minnesota Wild: Native American Heritage Night

Cheer on Minnesota's own men's professional hockey team, the Minnesota Wild, as they take on the Colorado Avalanche for Native American Heritage Night on Wednesday, November 25, 2026, at Grand Casino Arena.

Minnesota Frost: Indigenous Peoples Celebration

Cheer on two-time Walter Cup Champions and Saint Paul's own professional women's hockey team during Indigenous Peoples Celebration Night at Grand Casino Arena, date and opponent TBA.

Credit: Alma MN Photography
Indigenous People’s Weekend & Native American Food Truck Festival
Each October, in honor of Indigenous People's Day, this festival at Battle Creek on the East Side features the largest Native-led basketball expo, an art and vendor market, tasty eats from Native-owned food trucks, and so much more! Learn More
Credit: Lauren Cutshall
Wakpa Triennial Art Festival
A month-long arts festival in September and October that celebrates Indigenous artists and honors the Mississippi River as a living cultural landscape that is a sacred site, historical witness, and shared community resource. Learn More

Rooted in Flavor & Fun

Dive deep into the incredible stories of Native peoples, explore historic sites, marvel at handcrafted art, and discover Native-owned businesses shop and dine at in Minnesota's Capital City.

Birchbark Books & Native Arts

Located across the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, this independently owned bookshop is committed to preserving and uplifting Native culture through its vase selection of good reads, handmade art, and engaging community events.

Blue Hummingbird Woman Indigenous Gift Shop

Located inside Wells Fargo Place Building, this curated gift shop showcases Indigenous artists and creators with its selection of handcrafted art, beadwork, and jewelry, as well as plant-based herbal remedies, salves, balms, body butters, oils, soaps, tea, maple, and honey, and more.

Eagle and Condor Native Wellness Center

Connecting traditional knowledge with modern practices to support holistic healing through workshops, teachings, and community care for Indigenous, Native, Black, and Brown individuals in Saint Paul.

Grand Casino Arena

Named after Grand Casino, owned by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, this multi-purpose facility is home to more than 150 sports and entertainment events including Minnesota Frost. Wild, and Forge home games, lively concerts, and sports tournaments.

Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center

A coalition of artists, business owners, cultural groups and organizations dedicated to cultivating opportunities for Brown, Black, Native, and Indigenous Peoples through art and activism.

Our Home: Native Minnesota Exhibit

Head to the Minnesota History Center to learn more about Native communities in our state, the rooted connection to their homeland, and hear stories of survival and resiliency.

Roots Café

A youth-led coffee shop and creative economic development program lead by the Interthrival Indigenous Youth Coalition and Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center that serves up classic coffee drinks, refreshing teas, and unique seasonal beverages on the East Side.

Minnesota Museum of American Art

Located in the Cass Gilbert-designed Pioneer Endicott building, The M has a history that spans back to 1894. The M strives to bring in diverse exhibits that showcase American identities, experiences, and complex truths through art and creativity.
Waḳaŋ Ṭípi Center

This intergenerational gathering place was named in honor of theWaḳaŋ Ṭípi Cave, a sacred Dakota site on the East Side along the Mississippi River. The 7,500 square-foot center features an exhibit hall, classrooms, ceremony space, and a teaching kitchen & gardens to showcase the value of the space as a place for cultural healing, life-long learning, and inspiration.

Community Resources

American Indian Family Center (AIFC)

The AIFC supports American Indian families through programs and services that are enriched and rooted in traditional American Indian values and culture.

Ho-Chunk Nation Legislator District 4

Culture and beliefs have sustained the Ho-Chunk Nation for centuries and today make it one of the strongest Native American Tribes in the United States. The tribe's commitment to preserving their heritage and continuing longstanding traditions cross generationally have helped to sustain a citizen base of over 7,000 citizens.

Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul — Department of Indian Work

This organization meets the needs of the American Indian community through culturally sound emergency services, health education, youth enrichment programming.

Minnesota Indian Affairs Council (MIAC)

This organization protects the sovereignty of the 11 Minnesota Tribes to ensure the wellbeing of American Indian citizens throughout the entire state.

Waḳaŋ Ṭípi Awaƞyaƞkapi

A Dakota-led and Native-run nonprofit organization committed to the stewardship and preservation of Waḳaŋ Ṭípi, a sacred Dakota site, along the East Bank of the Mississippi River.

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