The Power of a Waterfall: A History of Owámniyomni and Fuji Ya Restaurant

Between 1880 and 1930, St. Anthony Falls helped establish Minneapolis as the flour milling capital of the world. But the story of the falls is about more than the economy and hydropower. People from many backgrounds have also been drawn to the falls for its cultural and spiritual power. To the Dakota people, it is known as Owámniyomni, a place of spirit, story, and connection. To Reiko Weston, founder of Fuji Ya Restaurant, it became a way to bridge cultural divides between Japan and Minnesota. In this episode of Minnesota Unraveled, Dr. Chantel Rodríguez and her guests–Deacon DeBoer, Carol Weston Hanson, and Shelley Buck–pull on the threads of two seemingly unrelated stories that are, in fact, deeply woven together in the rich tapestry of St. Anthony Falls’ history as a site of cultural, spiritual, and economic power. We'd love to hear your thoughts about Minnesota Unraveled! Please fill out our survey. https://mnhs.info/podcastsurvey