INDIAN MOUNDS IMMEDIATE ACKNOWLEDGMENT MESSAGING

Situated on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in the Mounds neighborhood of St. Paul, the Indian Mounds Regional Park is a Indigenous burial ground converted to park in the 19th century. Building upon our work on the Indian Mounds Cultural Landscape Study and Interpretive Plan, Phase 1 included a recommendation for “Immediate Acknowledgment” messaging to ensure that the key message of Respect + Honor was consistently conveyed across the site as soon as possible. The introduced messaging aims to transform the perception of the Mounds site from that of a park for picnics, barbeques, and play, to that of an Indigenous place of burial to be respected and honored. This family of messaging is integrated into existing site features--the pavilion, benches, sidewalks, trail signs and street lights--as an intentionally light touch on the site, but with an explicit message to behave with dignity and respect on this sacred land.

Location: St. Paul, Minnesota

Client: City of St. Paul

Status: Completed in 2021

Team: TEN x TEN, Quinn Evans, Allies / Mona Smith, Erin Genia, Split Rock Studios

Slideshow Photos: Gaffer Photography

NEW + EXISTING BENCH SIGNAGE

Simple placard signs will attach to existing benches and text is routed into the composite wood material for new benches that were installed as part of the Spring 2020 Trail Project. Messaging is a simple yet provocative reminder to be mindful, respectful and to behave appropriately- “Woohoda, please respect this place.”

NEW TRAIL MARKER SIGNAGE

Proposed trail marker posts–as a part of the Spring 2020 Trail Project–are opportunities to communicate information specific to sites along the Threshold. Messaging should consistently communicate at teach post to respect and honor this space, and additionally introduce stories specific areas adjacent to the posts.

PAVILION MESSAGING

The over-arching message that “This is a burial place and our ancestors are still here” should be conveyed throughout the pavilion. Forms of messaging include prominent signage attached to the brick walls, words and stories painted on the walls, ground or ceiling, and artful perforated signage that utilizes light to creates a power effect with shadows. The messaging should reiterate and expand upon this over-arching message and educate visitors on Dakota cultural practices including the significance of the mounds, and the use of prayer ties as a way to honor ancestors.

EXISTING LIGHT POLE BANNER

A light pole banner, flag or sign attached to existing light posts can be incorporated along roads and sidewalks where lighting is present. Flags designed by Dakota artists can deepen the impact, familiarity, and meaning of the banners. The quantity and location of flags should be carefully considered, with guidance from Dakota partners.

PHASE 1 IMPLEMENTATION

Key pieces of phase 1 of the cultural landscape report and messaging plan have been implemented most recently, including the conversion of 3 acres of lawn into native prairie and the introduction of new messaging that recenters the history of this place toward indigenous-led truthtelling

All of this work was introduced with care and sensitivity to the sacredness of the ground, using practices and design decisions catered to protecting this landscape, and with guidance from Dakota tribal leaders and community members throughout the process.