Minnesota Prairie Roots

POKING AROUND IN SMALL TOWN Waterville on Saturday, I happened upon an unusual piece of wall art, “Native American Ten Commandments,” in a shop run by Ron, former hardware store owner and an interesting man with lots of stories to tell. I left feeling like he would be my go-to source for anything I ever wanted to know about Waterville.

But I didn’t ask Ron about the Native American wall art hanging so high on the wall I struggled to read and photograph it. Rather, I thought about this art and the title of the piece in the context of today, October 13, Indigenous Peoples Day in Minnesota, as proclaimed by Governor Tim Walz.

I considered how the words “Ten Commandments” seem more European than Native. Perhaps a different title would be more fitting for this summary of cultural and spiritual values. Despite that heading, I found the content of these “commandments” to be positive and reflective of Native beliefs and culture as I understand them to be.

These words popped out at me: earth, nature, respect, care, protect, honor, traditions, family and community.

We would all do well to read, then reread, those words and contemplate their importance. Today, more than ever, I feel like we need to reconnect with the land, to build community, to recognize the importance of respect.

Today I pause to remember and celebrate Native Americans, who lived here first, who have long held a spiritual closeness to the earth, who deserve this special day of honor, Indigenous Peoples Day.

© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling