Nenookaasi Healing Camp
WITH Camp NenookaasiCamp Nenookaasi (‘Hummingbird’, Ojibwe) is an Indigenous-led, multi-racial movement and community based healing camp located in the heart of South Minneapolis. It is rooted in native practices & inclusive of all unsheltered relatives. Unlike encampments that came before it, iterations of Camp Nenookaasi have had hand-built yurts, created by the Autonomous Yurt Union (AYU).
Camp Nenookaasi, which has occupied numerous empty lots across the greater Phillips neighborhood of South Minneapolis, was created in the days after a camp at the ‘Wall of Forgotten Natives’ was evicted. The camp’s organizers and residents, many of whom were also at the Wall encampment, have built it on the same principles of harm reduction and a focus on providing culturally relevant pathways to housing and addiction recovery for residents, the majority of whom are Indigenous.
Camp Nenookaasi has been violently evicted time and time again by the City of Minneapolis, yet, despite all odds, organizers and residents have persevered and demonstrated a resilience that has pushed the envelope around municipal ordinance policy, public discourse, and solidarity with our unhoused neighbors.
Sean, a member of our studio, was called upon and entrusted by residents and organizers of Camp Nenookaasi to make artwork for the encampment. This project soon became a multimedia suite of artwork and a gift to our unhoused neighbors in South Minneapolis, weaving together the practices of art, community organizing, and mutual aid. A series of banners, painted cardboard, and hundreds of printed placards and pickets. Made in collaboration with the art studio’s Wednesday morning ‘Day Shift’ crew of artists and many community volunteers.
The artwork has included:
- ‘No More Evictions’ & ‘Solutions, Not Sweeps!’ Banners
- ‘Porch Posters’ in support of Nenookaasi Healing Camp
- ‘Nenookaasiwag’ - painted cardboard hummingbirds
- Posters, Pickets, and Postcards in support of Camp Nenookaasi
- We Demand: Porta-Potties for All painted cardboard prop
- Yurts & Casseroles for All! Hand-painted banner
Much of this artwork was unveiled at Camp Nenookaasi’s ‘Rally to END Evictions!’ - a rally and press conference which was held at Government Plaza between the Minneapolis City Hall and Hennepin County Government Center buildings in downtown Minneapolis. Encampment residents & organizers spoke out against the city’s cruelty, demanding solutions not sweeps.
Originally, large painted banners were hung up outside the fence to advance the narrative messaging of the Camp’s demands of the City. In response to banners being cut down, vandalized, and stolen, Sean created a bright ‘Porch Poster’ to allow for supportive neighbors on the block to show their solidarity.
The iconic porch poster is a silk-screen design featuring illustrated hummingbirds and a yurt, with text which reads: “We support Nenookaasi Healing Camp | Solutions, Not Sweeps! For Unhoused Relatives | Nenookaasi.com” which has quickly adorned the homes of residents across South Minneapolis.
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