People

Wóokiye wiŋ (Katie Jo Bendickson) is Sisseton Wahpeton Dakhóta. She received a Bachelor of Arts in American Indian Studies with a Language Track from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and an Early Childhood Education Diploma from Minnesota West Community and Technical College. As a Dakota language instructor, she taught pre-school and high school in Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and Granite Falls, MN. Her mentor for the Dakota language was the respected elder Caroline Schommer of Upper Sioux Community.

Currently, Wóokiye Wiŋ is the lead teacher at the Dakhóta Iápi Wahóȟpi and a freelance artist. She blends her art and teaching the Dakota language by illustrating Dakota language children’s books. She recently completed her first mural at CDLS. She has had art exhibits at Two Rivers Art Gallery and other galleries in the Twin Cities area. She uses both her Dakota and Ojibway backgrounds to influence her designs in her art.

Much of her young life was spent on her mother’s reservation, Fond du Lac Reservation in northern Minnesota, before her family moved to her father’s reservation at Upper Sioux Community in southwest Minnesota.

Wóokiye wiŋ lives in Saint Paul with her husband and children. Both her parents are artists and teachers, and she continues that tradition. Follow her art on Instagram @wookiye_win and purchase her books at Dakhota.org.