Great Lakes Lifeways Institute

05/22/2026

03/23/2026

Still, We Sing.

This is a small, ongoing song share—an offering of voices in a time that asks for care, healing, and a return to what is steady.

We begin with the generous voice of Annie Humphrey—shared with heart, and supported by those who helped make this possible.

In a world that feels heavy, I’ve been returning to something simple. A hum. A song. A way back into the body.

Held by Great Lakes Lifeways Institute.

Still, we sing.

If you appreciate this work and want to help it continue, you’re welcome to support with a one-time or recurring gift.
https://checkout.justgiving.com/c/1254264

Still, We Sing is a living collection of songs offered in a time when many of us are searching for steadiness, connection, and healing. This initiative is held and carried by Great Lakes Lifeways Ins

02/23/2026

Big appreciation to all who came out to participate in and supported our Madeline Island Snowsnake Making Workshop. We had initially opened the workshop for just 12 participants, but are pleased to announce that 16 beautiful, new, hardwood snowsnakes were made. Workshop participants, from both the island community and from across rhe region, worked diligently over the course of four days learning about history and traditions of the game as they designed, carved, sanded, polished and finished their personalized snakes. Many incorporated pewter inlaid designs and one was even inlaid with a stunning chert arrow point in the snakes head.

This community workshop was the first in what we intend to develop in a regular series of powerful island based learning opportunities. It was great to see so many new snakes compete at the 2026 Madeline Island Snowsnake Games, hosted by NAET. The game of snowsnake is an important part of our shared freshwater heritage, and big medicine to bring community together for laughter, fun, connection and wellbeing in the coldest time of the year.

GLLI is also excited to have scenes from the workshop included in a new documentary film by Will Brunker about winter life on Madeline Island, “The Wintering Place”. The film is being made in partnership with Kelsey Peterson and the Madeline Island Historical Preservation Association.

A special thanks to Zac Earley for sharing Ojibwe Langauge terms and phrases with the class, and a huge thank you to Bob Teisberg for opening his workshop space and home for the event and his assistance throughout the week.

If you would like to learn more about our organization’s work, and keep updated on opportunities like this, please like and follow our page or visit us at greatlakeslifeways.org

01/31/2026

https://www.youtube.com/live/2vG-aiRlAKY?si=iM0lEdnD5aqeGgsw

Joining Robert Pilot: William “Nąąwącekǧize” Quackenbush, Kaesha Baloch, Managing Director of Great Lakes Lifeways Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rooted i...

01/29/2026

01/28/2026

Snowsnake games history, culture, and futures conversation with Bill Quackenbush of HoChunk Nation. Coming live this evening on Native Roots YouTube and social media outlets. If you can't log in for the live show, the recorded show will be available as well.

01/26/2026

If you’re wondering how to show up, this is one way. Truth needs witnesses.

Our nonprofit hasn’t posted much here because this platform often feels shallow — but right now we need visibility so we can be part of the algorithm and reach more people.

Please follow and share so that when we roll out four ways to support community-led mutual aid in Minneapolis in response to recent federal enforcement actions, folks actually see it.

Support looks like attention, resources, and showing up.

🔁 Follow
📣 Share
💛 Donate if you’re able - link in bio/ comments

01/26/2026

GLLI Community Call — Art. Music. Food. Action.

We are from Minneapolis.
We stand with Minneapolis.

Right now, ICE enforcement is escalating, and our communities are being pushed into fear, scarcity, and isolation.

This is not a moment for debate or division.
This is a moment for care, presence, and action.

At Great Lakes Lifeways Institute, we are responding in the ways we know how:

-Gathering cover songs for Still, We Sing — a collective music project holding grief, anger, care, and solidarity
-Cooking traditional wood ash hominy in large batches and freezing it for direct community distribution in Minneapolis and St. Paul
-Raising funds to support frontline justice work and food access
-Sharing resources so people know where to call and how to show up

This is not charity.
This is community care.

We are putting out a call to artists, musicians, organizers, neighbors, and all who care:

-Create art.
-Sing a song.
-Donate if you’re able.
-Help fund food for community.
-Share resources.
-Show up.

You don’t have to do everything — choose one way to support.

Musicians: contribute a cover song to Still, We Sing
📧 Kaesha@greatlakeslifeways.org
*more information in another post*

If you’re able to give financially: your support directly helps food production and Minneapolis-based justice work
🤍 Donate via JustGiving - https://link.justgiving.com/v1/charity/donate/charityId/1254264?tipScheme=TipJar2.1&reference=givingcheckout_tj21

Artists: we welcome visual work, design, and creative offerings that support this moment. Share beauty amidst this chaos.

We are stronger together.
Care is political.
Food is action.
Art is action.
Music is action.

We are not interested in purity tests or debates about who is “left enough.” We are interested in feeding each other, lifting each other, and protecting our communities.

If this isn’t aligned with your values, you are welcome to unfollow.

But here, we choose community.

We stand with Minneapolis.
We are Minneapolis.

When words fail, still, we sing.
— Great Lakes Lifeways Institute

11/10/2025

Dugout canoe boil and community feast happening today starting at 4pm: at Prairie Island winter camp by the bark lodges. All are welcome to attend.

08/09/2025

A few photo updates from Mooningwanekaaning Canoe Journeys. Marvin is now on day 7 and is lashing in the waagaadoowaatigoog (stem pieces) and sewing the side seams on the new wiigwaasi-jiimaan. The 125 year old jiimaan has all new black spruce root lashings on the gunnels and will be ready for replacing the stem lashings tomorrow on the bow and stern.

Don’t miss the opportunity to come by and visit this powerful work happening throughout August at the Madeline Island Museum.

04/08/2025

Under the bright spring sun, our team finished the final layers on this hand-carved dugout canoe. Each brushstroke reflected deep care, regional knowledge, and seasonal practice — an offering of intention as we moved with the rhythm of spring’s return.

The rich black finish was made using a traditional mixture of wood tar, linseed oil, and bear grease — a powerful blend that protects the canoe, preserves the materials, and honors the relationships between animal, plant, and human kin. These ingredients have long been valued for their strength, resilience, and deep connection to the land and water.

This work honored generations of makers and the lifeways embedded in traditions of movement, craftsmanship, and relationship with place. We were grateful to be in this process and excited for what’s to come as the ice melts and new journeys begin.

We recognize that each canoe holds not just form and function, but spirit — the spirit of those who carved before us, those who gathered the trees, hunted the animals, and passed down teachings across time. We carry these stories forward.

This work is made stronger through the deep partnerships we are building with Wakan Tipi, Minneapolis American Indian Center, and Owámniyomni Okhódayapi. Together, we are reconnecting to the land and water, revitalizing ancestral knowledge, and lifting up future generations of makers, movers, and protectors.

Chi miigwech to all who continue to support GLLI’s commitment to seasonal teachings, cultural practice, and land-based knowledge. Your presence and encouragement make it possible for these lifeways to thrive.

— KB