Tribal River Restoration

Charting the Course: The Path to Tribal Water Restoration

The Little Minnesota River, flowing through the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal lands, once teemed with life, sustaining the community with vibrant fish populations and supporting a rich ecosystem. However, recent decades have seen this lifeline hindered by barriers, ceasing fish migration and disrupting traditional practices. This project aims to breathe life back into the river, restoring its natural flow and the cultural heritage it supports. Led by the renowned expertise of Fred Phillips Consulting (FPC), we're embarking on a crucial journey to analyze, design, and implement restoration strategies. Your support can turn the tide, rekindling the river's vitality and preserving a legacy for generations to come. Join us in this vital mission to heal the river and reconnect the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate with their ancestral waters.

$124K

Total Project Cost

150 days

Project Timeline

The journey to revive the Little Minnesota River begins with a comprehensive Restoration Feasibility Analysis. Guided by Fred Phillips and his seasoned team at FPC, this analysis marks the first step towards ecological and cultural rejuvenation. Your donations will fund critical phases of the project:

Design Feasibility Analysis: Gathering existing data, we'll explore viable restoration approaches, culminating in a detailed presentation to the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate (SWO) for collaborative planning.

Community Engagement and Presentation: Feedback from the SWO will inform further design, ensuring the project aligns with the Tribe's vision and ecological goals.

On-Site Assessment: A hands-on site visit will allow for rapid field assessments, prioritizing areas for restoration and engaging with the community and stakeholders.

Findings Report and Planning: Concluding with a comprehensive report and action plan, we'll outline the next steps for watershed restoration, setting the stage for tangible impact.

Every contribution directly supports these efforts, laying the groundwork for a future where the Little Minnesota River once again flows freely, enriching both the environment and the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate community.