Kettle River Nibi Walk from Keely Kernan on Vimeo.
The Kettle River Water Walk took place September 9-11, 2017 beginning in Cromwell Minnesota and ending at the Kettle River’s confluence with the St. Croix River.
The Kettle River’s name has referenced the glacial potholes in its bedrock since before recorded history. Ojibwe people have long called it Akiko zibi, which also means “Kettle River,” according to a 19th-century Irish immigrant missionary.
The Kettle River Walk was organized as part of a “Smithsonian Museum on Main Street” exhibit in Sandstone The touring exhibit Water/Ways focuses on the relationships between people and water—how water connects story, history, faith, ethics, the arts, and science all through community. It will was on exhibit in Sandstone, MN from November 19, 2016 through January 1, 2017.
The Heritage Area and Audubon Center of the North Woods collaborated on the application to become a host site for Water/Ways. Sponsors of the Kettle River Walk include the Minnesota Humanities Center, North Woods & Waters of the St. Croix Heritage Area, Audubon Center of the North Woods, and the St. Croix River Association.
Text adapted from article by Greg Seitz on St. Croix 360.