Como Lake Interpretive Signs

Learn about Como Lake’s watershed, water quality, ecosystem, wildlife, shoreline, clean water projects, and Dakhóta stories through interpretive signs around the lake. Details and acknowledgments are below the translation links.

CRWD worked with the City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation to develop the signs, with design and artwork by Background Stories. The development of the signs was funded by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Water Act Section 319 grant funding administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

The signs featuring Dakhóta stories— “Omníčiye Makhóčhé” and “Háza íŋyaŋke Wíŋ” in honor of Tó ič’i ówa (Paints Himself Blue), were written by Tanágidaŋ Tó Wíŋ (Blue Hummingbird Woman, Tara Perron), a Dakota and Ojibwe mother, artist, and author; and illustrated by Thomasina TopBear. The translations of all signs to Dakhóta were completed by Šišóka Dúta. The Dakhóta stories shared on the signs were informed by relatives of Tanágidaŋ Tó Wíŋ, with profound acknowledgment to the following contributors.

Travis Bush (Mazomani) 
Named after a Great Grandfather of ours who was a leader of a medicine society amongst our Waĥpetoŋ Oyate (The People who Dwell Among the Leaves). “I’m a BdeWakaŋtoŋ, Waĥpetoŋ Dakota, Enrolled in Sisseton Whapeton Oyate, Lake Traverse Indian Reservation, Old Agency District in South Dakota we come from the Flute and Leith Ośpaye. I grew up here in the Twin Cities in Imniżaskadaŋ (Upper West Side) of Kapóża (West Side), Imniżaska (Saint Paul) I now reside in Bde Ota Otuŋwe (Minneapolis) and was raised traditionally Dakota.”

Maria Morin McCoy
Mother of four and a Grandmother of eight. Maria lives and works in Saint Paul, Minnesota.  “My Spirit name is Mooshkenay Waase Binesikwe Indigo (Filling Up With Light Thunderbird Woman). My family comes from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota and I am from the Bear Clan. I have worked in the American Indian Community since 1995.”

Cante Waste Yuha Mani (Walks With Good Heart, Jose Garcia Jr) 
Bdewakaŋtoŋ, Lower Sioux Dakóta and White Earth, Red Lake Anishinaabe. “Born and raised near the banks of the Mississippi River in Saint Paul Mnisota. I am invested in taking care of community members and have many memories with relatives at Como Lake.”

Tanaǧidaŋ To Wiŋ (Tara Perron) is a Dakota and Ojibwe mother of two sons. She grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She studied Dakota language and culture at Metro State University. Her publications include Takóza: Walks with the Blue Moon Girl, Animals of Kheya Wita, Animals of Nimaamaa-Aki, Our Love Language, Awáŋkičhiyaka pi (Take care of each other), and Our Sacred Land of Pȟežúta. Tara is a plant medicine enthusiast. She owns and operates Blue Hummingbird Woman Indigenous Gift Shop and co-created Eagle and Condor Native Wellness Center in Saint Paul. She believes in the healing power of storytelling and is a strong advocate of protecting our mother earth.

Sign Locations

You can find the signs around Como Lake at the following locations.