Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi

08/20/2026

Augusts plant of the Month selected by the WTA Land & Environment team is Waḣpe yaṭapi, also known as Anise Hyssop.

This plant is a pollinator favorite known for its lavender-like flowers and strong licorice smell and taste. As a member of the mint family, it has a square stem and insect repellent properties.

This time of year, you’ll see this plant relative in full bloom in Waḳaƞ Ṭípi’s prairie habitats, often growing near vervain, back-eyed Susans and prairie dropseed. Let us know if you've spotted this plant around the sanctuary site on your visit! 🌿✨😊

08/18/2026

Wópida to everyone who attended our Bioblitz event! We had 191 participants registered for this event! It was a joy to welcome such a wide variety of nature enthusiasts to participate.

From the group who wanted to stay at their station in the pond when lunchtime came around to the kiddo who told us, “I want to be here all day!” - we all had an incredible time. With your help we were able to collect new data about the plants and animals who call Waḳaƞ Ṭípi home. We'll be publishing a full report of our bioblitz findings later this year on the WTA website. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter at wakantipi.org to be notified once it's out.

Thank you to our sponsors Treasure Island Resort & Casino who provided a meal for participants, and the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) who helped fund this project.

📸: Anita Schneider and Patrick McDaniel Jr.

08/11/2026

Pollinators are incredibly important to keeping habitats healthy and thriving. Join us Saturday, August 29th to hear from artist Willard Malebear Jr. about the creation and development of the Native Bee Lodge at Waḳan Ṭípi. 🐝

Then, join local artists and bee experts for a guided walk to discover the incredible diversity of native bees living among our prairies and learn how to support these important pollinators!

Register now at Wakantipi.org/events

08/07/2026

Bioblitz is tomorrow and happening rain or shine! We hope to see you out there! 🌿✨🌎BTW, its not too late to register to attend!
https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/LowerPhalenCreekProject/bioblitz26.html

The third annual BioBlitz at Wakan Tipi is on August 8th! BioBlitz is a data collection event for all members of the community to learn from and collect data with environmental professionals and community partners as we survey pollinators, plants, dragonflies, birds and more. 🌿🦋🐾

All ages and backgrounds are welcome and no prior experience is necessary! Lunch provided. If you have accessibility needs, email [email protected] by 7/27/26.

Register now at wakantipi.org/events

08/06/2026

UPDATE: Registration is now full, Wópida everyone for your interest in this event!

Join us for an evening with our ḥupáhuwakihdakedaη (bat) relatives! This new event in partnership with the MN DNR Nongame Wildlife Program will provide a fun and interactive opportunity to learn about the bats at Waḳaƞ Ṭípi! Register now at Wakantipi.org/events

08/04/2026

Let out your inner artist and come to WTA Friday August 14th and Saturday August 15th to help us paint our new tipi! The design for the tipi was inspired by community input and created by Cole Redhorse Taylor (Prairie Island Indian Community).

Artists Collins Provost-Fields (Cheyenne River) and Jeremy Fields (Pawnee, Crow and Chickasaw) from Thrive Unltd. will teach painting techniques and share how to set-up and care for a tipi.

Be sure to wear paint friendly clothing. Supplies will be provided. All ages and experience levels are welcome & encouraged! We hope to see you there! No Registration Required.

08/03/2026

The Dakota name for August is Wasuṭuŋ wi (when things are ripe). In late summer, many wild fruits, nuts, and berries are ripe and ready to be gathered, like raspberries, plums, grapes, and hazelnuts. In some Dakota communities, another name for August is Kanta Ṣa Wi (Moon When the Plums are Red) or Woksapi Wi (Harvest Moon).

07/30/2026

Do you recognize any of these folks? Help us identify the community members in this photo!
This photograph is part of our Ṭiwahe gallery wall, curated by Cole Redhorse Taylor located at the Waḳaƞ Ṭípi Center.

In 1977 Native American community members took action to shut down a bicentennial geological survey excavation project intended to relocate the Waḳaƞ Ṭípi Cave. This may have been one of the first instances of Indigenous people taking a public stance for the preservation of the site. This photograph captures a pivotal moment for the preservation of Waḳaƞ Ṭípi.

If you recognize anyone in this photo, please email us at [email protected] and let us know – we are grateful!

07/24/2026

Calling all aspiring Native birders!
If you've been looking for a way to spend more time on the land, build community, and deepen your connection to our winged relatives, we invite you to apply for our Native Birding Cohort.
Together with Urban Bird Collective, we're welcoming up to eight Native participants for a 6–8 month journey of learning, connection, and community. Complete this interest form by July 29 - we hope you’ll join us!

Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEZgwwHpyIT5ZjaaZpL_CDxR7OUfErHVvJvzwZb8ebIpLkvA/viewform

07/23/2026

WTA is looking for volunteers to assist with the third annual Bioblitz on Saturday, August 8th! Volunteers are incredibly important to the work here, and we appreciate every single one of our community members who spend their time with us.

If you are interested in signing up for a shift to help welcome guests to the site and assist staff in data collection during Bioblitz, we would love to have you join us!

If you're interested in learning more, please contact Chaské Henry at [email protected].