Wozu Wigni Tipestola

Lakota Made LLC

Wozu Wigni Tipestola

A regenerative farm restoring Indigenous plant medicines, advancing food sovereignty, climate resilience, and culturally grounded education

Mankato, MN, USA

United States

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

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Indigenous communities face limited access to traditional plant medicines, food sovereignty, and climate-resilient agriculture. Colonization disrupted our ecosystems, knowledge systems, and self-sufficiency, leaving many Indigenous people reliant on external supply chains that don’t align with our values. In my community and beyond, access to culturally significant medicines is disappearing due to habitat destruction, overharvesting, and climate change. Globally, Indigenous people make up 6% of the world’s population but protect 80% of its biodiversity. Yet, we are often excluded from land access and sustainable agriculture funding. My solution directly addresses this by regenerating traditional plant ecosystems, growing and processing our own medicines, and providing education on sustainable harvesting and land stewardship. In Minnesota alone, many Indigenous families struggle with food and medicine access, relying on expensive, store-bought alternatives. By establishing a farm rooted in Indigenous knowledge, sustainability, and self-determination, we can restore our relationship with the land, build economic independence, and create a model for other Indigenous communities looking to reclaim their food and medicine sovereignty.

My solution is an Indigenous-led regenerative farm dedicated to growing and processing traditional plant medicines while promoting food sovereignty, climate resilience, and culturally grounded education. This farm will restore native plant ecosystems, ensuring sustainable access to medicinal plants for Indigenous communities while reducing reliance on external supply chains. The farm will incorporate regenerative agriculture techniques, including no-till farming, companion planting, and soil restoration, to enhance biodiversity and protect the land for future generations. It will also serve as an educational hub, offering hands-on workshops, digital resources, and community programs focused on sustainable harvesting, plant medicine, and Indigenous land stewardship. To increase efficiency and accessibility, we will integrate modern technology such as solar-powered processing facilities, AI-assisted plant tracking, and a digital platform for education and sales, ensuring ethical harvesting and widespread access to Indigenous medicines. This solution empowers Indigenous communities by reclaiming control over their food and medicine systems, creating jobs, and strengthening economic independence—all while fostering environmental sustainability and cultural revitalization.

My solution serves Indigenous communities across Minnesota and beyond, particularly those seeking access to traditional plant medicines, food sovereignty, and sustainable economic opportunities. Many Indigenous people lack access to culturally significant medicines due to land dispossession, habitat loss, and reliance on commercialized products that don’t align with traditional healing practices. This farm will restore access to these medicines by cultivating and processing them in a way that respects both cultural traditions and the environment. Additionally, the farm will create jobs and training opportunities for Indigenous people, ensuring economic empowerment through ethical and sustainable business practices. It will serve as a learning space for community members, youth, and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs, offering education on plant medicine, regenerative farming, and land stewardship—knowledge that has often been disrupted by colonization. By reducing reliance on external suppliers and increasing access to locally grown, culturally relevant medicines, this project will improve health, sustainability, and economic resilience for Indigenous families. Ultimately, this farm is about restoring self-determination, strengthening cultural identity, and ensuring future generations have access to the land-based knowledge that has sustained us for thousands of years.