Tears, Resiliency, and the Work of Healing

During this session, Diane Wilson shared stories rooted in Dakota history, identity, and connection to the land. Drawing from her work as a writer, educator, and steward, she reflected on themes found throughout her books, including loss, displacement, healing, resilience, and belonging. Her stories highlighted both personal and collective experiences, offering insight into the strength of Indigenous communities and the importance of remembering where we come from. Diane also spoke about her work in Indigenous food sovereignty through organizations like Dream of Wild Health and the Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance, emphasizing the ongoing work of restoring traditional knowledge, food systems, and relationships to the land. The session invited listeners to consider the deep history of this place and the importance of honoring the voices of those whose people have lived on this land the longest.