This fundraiser supports the community effort surrounding Mni Owe Sni (Coldwater Spring) in Minneapolis, a sacred place connected to Dakota history, ceremony, and the protection of land and water near Bdote, the meeting place of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. What began as a small prayer camp has grown into a larger moment of community education and accountability. Families, elders, youth, and supporters have gathered to pray, learn, and bring attention to concerns about how sacred places and Native communities are being represented and protected. My name is Zachary White, and I have been helping organize and support the effort on the ground. This place has long been known as a site of healing, ceremony, and prayer. The original goal of this fundraiser was simply to help support a prayer camp so people could gather in a good way to reconnect with the land, water, and each other. As people came together at Mni Owe Sni, conversations began to surface about who truly represents our people, how sacred sites are protected, and how decisions affecting Native communities are being made. Many community members have raised concerns about tribal governance, transparency, and the management of sacred places like Coldwater Spring. Because of this, the gathering has become more than just a prayer camp. It has become a place for community education, cultural reconnection, peaceful ceremony, and open dialogue about accountability within tribal and government systems. This work is not about division. It is about truth, transparency, and protecting sacred places for future generations. People from many backgrounds have come together to support the effort. Families, elders, youth, and community members have been present to pray, share knowledge, and support one another. At the same time, difficult conversations have emerged about leadership, land stewardship, and community representation. These conversations are not easy, but many people believe they are necessary. Our focus remains grounded in ceremony, community safety, truth, and accountability. Funds raised through this campaign help support the people and work happening around Mni Owe Sni. Donations are used for essential needs including: • Food and water for community members present • Firewood and heating supplies for ceremony fires • Shelter and camp infrastructure • Transportation and fuel for supply runs • Safety, communication, and documentation equipment • Community gatherings and cultural support We are committed to transparency and are keeping records of how funds are used. Mni Owe Sni is not just a place on a map. It is part of a much larger story about Indigenous sovereignty, sacred land, and community responsibility. The events unfolding here have encouraged many people to ask important questions about how sacred places are protected, how Native communities govern themselves, and how accountability is maintained within leadership and institutions. If you believe in protecting sacred land, supporting community led efforts, and encouraging transparency, we invite you to stand with us. You can help by donating, sharing this fundraiser, educating yourself about Mni Owe Sni and the history of Bdote, and supporting Indigenous led initiatives in your own community. This work is not about conflict. It is about responsibility. Many of us are standing here because we believe sacred places deserve protection, our communities deserve honesty, and future generations deserve the truth about what happens to our lands and our people. We are here in prayer, in community, and in a good way. Families, elders, and young people are present learning and standing together. We are committed to doing this work peacefully, with respect for the land and with accountability to our people. Your support helps keep people safe, fed, sheltered, and able to stay present for ceremony and community education. We are here standing up for something bigger than ourselves, and we are not going anywhere. Miigwech for standing with us. • Zachary White