“Mni Wiconi” ( Water is life in Lakota) is an interactive art installation made from a Skill Crane fabricated into an art gallery and the prizes are created by the students participating in the American Indian Youth, Department of Indian Work, Interfaith Action of Greater St Paul. This activity is made possible by the voters Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. American Indian Youth produced mini-art pieces contained in recycled water bottles that the public can try to win from the “Skill Crane Art Mni Wiconi Gallery. Students fabricated the machine with thematic cultural imagery such as water, land, air, fire, clan animals, Lakota Virtues and Ojibwe Grandfather Teachings.

Thank you for coming to the opening of the Mni Wiconi Gallery for your chance to win original art by our students!

Pretendians is a Native rock band that is based in Minneapolis. Three out of four of our members represent the Oceti Sakowin (7 Council Fires) of the Dakhota and Lakhota Nations. Many of our songs have societal/political influence and views from a modern Indigenous perspective.

**Please be sure to check our website, www.cancanwonderland.com, for the most up-to-date information