Minwaajimowinan (Good Stories)
Watermark Art Center
Bemidji, MN
January 9 - March 28 2026
Discover Naytahwaush
Welcome Home
Welcome Home
Naytahwaush, a welcoming home.
You can’t judge a book by its cover.
Anymore than a village by its surface.
People are accepted for who they are.
Not judged or looked down upon.
Look at the roots of the people’s lives.
You will find bruises of trauma, but also the healing of resilience.
Kids steeped in imagination playing in their yards.
The whacks of baseball and people’s business cards.
Homes adorned in warming glow,
As their cultures regain and flow.
Ancestors' wisdoms are rooted deep.
Ever present, not asleep.
Peace and tranquility, a festive covering,
Allow the lessons to teach that are always hovering.
Current faces resemble faces of long ago
What family you are from, we always know.
An outreached, helping hand for support,
Guidance and strength I proved it implores.
Humor bouncing round like Tumbleweeds,
Lighting moods with Howah and schemes.
The vacancy sign with its welcome in neon,
Letting you know that there is room for one more.
You can’t judge a book by its cover.
Anymore than a village by its surface.
Naytahwaush, you bring me home.
By Becky Estey
It's all about community
