The many issues that our community faces are too often approached in isolation from one another. People working diligently on solutions often operate with distinct agendas, budgets, and disciplines. Similarly, competing environmental, commercial, and cultural interests limit their impact on the health of the River.

Both the River and the society it has engendered need healing. The Healing Place Collaborative is grounding its approach to repairing community, River and relationship in the Dakota concept of “bdote.” This word means a confluence of waters (in this case, the Mississippi and Minnesota) but also confluence in general. We intend to encourage a confluence of interests among people who recognize that the River is important to creating a healthy community, and that a community-wide effort is needed to heal our River.

Two levels of partnership have been developed: CORE partners meet monthly to share updates and participate in decisions, planning, resource development and strategies. PARTICIPATING partners will be engaged in ALL Partner Gatherings — one day events that will include performance, panel expressions, papers, group discussions, informal exhibits and more. ​