Our Mission:

ARTS & ACTIVISM

Dedicated to building, supporting and cultivating opportunities for Native, Black, Brown and Indigenous peoples through cultural arts and activism.

Who We Are

Rooted in Culture,

Blossoming Together

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We are a community arts and activism hub based in Saint Paul. Click the titles below to learn more about how we support each other.

Indigenous Roots is more than a space—we actively invest in community growth. From connecting people and supporting artists with resources, to offering financial opportunities, marketing support, and creative development, we help ensure that arts and activism thrive. In a world where cultural erasure is real, our work protects traditions, uplifts voices, and strengthens solidarity across communities.
Our center is home to drum circles, dance groups, language classes, and traditional teachings led by community knowledge-keepers. Elders are held in the highest regard, their wisdom bridges generations and keeps cultures alive. Through partnerships like the McKnight Foundation’s Culture Bearer program, we honor these voices and show that the old ways are not dead—they are alive and thriving in our community.
Indigenous Roots is a place where young people are seen, supported, and celebrated. From youth-led initiatives like Roots Café to ongoing classes, music workshops, and intergenerational programs, the center provides constant opportunities for learning and connection. Here, children grow up high-fiving elders, sharing space with artists, and finding their own role in the community; gaining the skills, confidence, and belonging they need to thrive.
Indigenous Roots nurtures artists through residencies, rehearsal space, and a gallery that sits alongside Roots Café. But the art doesn’t stop at the walls—it spills into the streets through vibrant murals, performances, multimedia events, and a sculpture garden that together transform the neighborhood into a living canvas. What was once an overlooked corridor in East Saint Paul has become a cultural beacon—reaching communities too often ignored. We send a powerful message to the city and beyond: our roots are strong, and they grow stronger every day.
We invest in leadership development, wellness programming, and cultural organizing that amplify Indigenous, Native, Black, and Brown voices. By centering community-driven initiatives, we build resilience today and lay the foundation for generations to come.

Your support helps sustain artists, culture bearers, and community spaces for generations to come.

Give Today, Grow Tomorrow

Mcknight Culture Bearer Fellowship

Through stories, art, and teaching, Culture Bearers pass traditions to future generations. Explore past fellows, learn about our mission, and apply to become a fellow Culture Bearer through this McKnight Foundation–funded program.

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Roots Café

At the heart of the Indigenous Roots Center, Roots Café is more than a coffee shop—it’s a youth-powered hub for leadership, creativity, and community building. Every cup supports young people learning real-world skills and leading initiatives that strengthen our future.

Go there

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Eagle and Condor Native Wellness Center

Eagle and Condor Wellness connects traditional knowledge with modern practices to support holistic healing for Indigenous, Native, Black, and Brown communities. Through workshops, teachings, and community care, it uplifts balance, wellness, and cultural resilience.

Go there

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Intertribal Cultural Corridor

Over 60 unique artworks now brighten our halls and the blocks of East Saint Paul. Indigenous Roots, together with artists, residents, and partners, is building the 7th Street Cultural Corridor and Intercultural (Intertribal) Mural Corridor on Dakota land in Kap’óža (Dayton’s Bluff). Come explore the corridor and experience the growth of a community in full bloom.

Learn more