Watchlist: ‘Native activists set up prayer camp outside Minneapolis ICE detention center’

By Kamiah Koch

Social media/digital journalist

In a snowy field at Fort Snelling – with the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building looming in the background – a prayer camp has been set up by Native activists.

“I am praying for our people to be good relatives,” Dakota descendent Allen Michael Owen said to WCCO News (CBS Minnesota) reporter Derek James.

The Whipple Federal Building is currently used as a detention center during the Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdowns in Minnesota. The fort is also the site where the U.S. government killed hundreds of Dakota people and imprisoned more than 1,600 Natives during the 1800s, making it a sacred site for Indigenous people according to WCCO.

“Now a camp with tipis and a prayer fire stands across from the ICE detention center with a focus on families and neighbors impacted by immigration enforcement,” James said.

The Feb. 15, 2026, Smoke Signals Watchlist featured interviews with Native officials explaining how ICE’s actions and presence was “scary” for Native Americans, as well as a painful reminder of the not-so-distant past during the residential school era. Today, Indigenous activists are taking peaceful action.

“I’m praying for my people to wake up, I’m praying for my people to speak up,” Owen said. “…to remember who we are and I’m praying that our people can help people all across the world to remember who they are.” 

Owen believes that this form of occupied prayer is action.

According to WCCO, this group of Native activists will remain at their Fort Snelling prayer site to raise awareness of the government brutality happening again on this land. 

You can watch the full video of the prayer camp at WCCO’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN03LbntfL4.