These rare seeds that have nourished the Tribe for countless generations continue to do so through this program, and are also shared with other tribal nations. Wozupi Tribal Gardens also preserves heirloom seeds including heritage varieties of corn, squash and beans in a seed bank. It also keeps a medicine garden that is cared for by Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community tribal members that is used for education and Tribal-member use. Wozupi, which means “Garden” in Dakota, also grows more than a dozen varieties of apples in its orchards, and its cellar keeps carrots, radishes and other root vegetables fresh and available year-round.

Wozupi Tribal Gardens, 25 miles southwest of Minneapolis, grows more than 50 different types of certified-organic vegetables, herbs and starter plants on its 13 acres of fields, and uses high-tower greenhouses to grow year-round. So as ground was broken for Mazopiya Natural Food Market, seeds were planted at Wozupi Tribal Gardens. When the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community decided to open a natural food market in 2010, it knew the best way to source healthy, organic food would be to grow it itself.

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