Local Lover: Marlena Myles

Marlena Myles

Digital artist, animator, fabric/fashion designer, book illustrator marlenamyl.es

“People care about history in Saint Paul and want to hear multiple viewpoints. I create a lot of work around my Dakota heritage. I want my artwork to represent Native culture in a modern contemporary way and help Native people be more visible.”

“There is a bond here, a feeling of kinship when you find out someone is from Saint Paul,” says Marlena. “It’s fun to go to the different neighborhoods and find the cool things about each — you find those special places on the ground level when you live here.”

Marlena’s must see list:

• A favorite place to connect with Dakota history is on the river bike paths from downtown toward Mendota Heights.

• I also recommend visiting Hidden Falls and don’t miss Indian Mounds Regional Park. It is a sacred site with great views of the city, the river, and has an eagle nesting ground. Go at sunset.

• Another sacred site is the Wakan Tipi Cave area, where a visitor center will be constructed in the future.

• A fun thing to do is to collect spring water at the Schmidt Brewery.