The waterers
circa 2025
The Waterers is a community centered campaign dedicated to informing the public on watersheds and waterways through a collection of shared stories on our relationships with water. The project is embedded in the idea that knowledge and history flows from one generation to another like water flows through rivers, and skies and beneath the ground - to places that nourish growth and understanding.
Meet our waterers
click on any of the images below to find out more about our Waterers Artists and view their stories
Della Rootues - waterer
Xay Vang Thao - waterer
Jayla Jones - collector
David Mendaro - waterer
Susane Moua - waterer
Keri Pinna - waterer
Madonna Fourstar LaRocque - waterer
Donna Cloud - waterer
Ty Vue - collector
Calixtra Bouchard - collector
Sara Jackson - waterer
McKenzie Schmiedt - waterer
Hlushia Vue - collector
Regina Zapata - waterer
Deka Ali - waterer
Kevin Kot - waterer
Rena Zapata - waterer & collector
Jasmine Guider - collector
Miracle Espericueta - waterer
Anav Ahmed - waterer
Txiab Vwj - waterer
Monique Arguelles - colelctor
Mohamed Yusaf - waterer
Chris Espericueta - waterer
Bobby Nabors - waterer
Anne Dunn - waterer
Michael Ramirez - waterer
Layla Whipple - collector
Masyn Arguelles - waterer & collector
Shirley Young - waterer
Bienvenida Matias - waterer
Bettina Corbitt - waterer
Morgen Arguelles - collector & waterer
Dhoua Vue - collector
Dave Nelson - waterer
Michael Smith Jr - waterer
Rashida Ahmed - waterer
Artist TEAM
Deka Ali, community organizer and story facilitator
Deanna Drift, story facilitator
Téa Drift-Rivera, editor
Esther Humphrey, community organizer and project facilitator
Nigigoonsikwe Humphrey, phtoographer
Mickies Kiros, videographer and phtographer
Tiana LaPointe, videographer and mentor
Tomas Leal, photographer
Sena Nur, videographer and mentor
TJ Lor, photographer
Kristine Sorensen, editor and mentor
Xavier Tavera, video mentor
Sai Thao, session leader and photographer
Kao Choua Vue, editor and translator
Layla Whipple. exhibit curator and workshop support
Pang Foua Xiong, interpreter and photographer
Rena Zapata, story fcilitator
resulting exhibits
Waterers Videos
The Waterer’s would not be possible without a deep commitment of time and resources. We wish to thank the following:
The Waterers project was made possible through the generous support of public and private funding partners who believe in the power of intergenerational storytelling, cultural knowledge, and community-led learning. Their collective investment supported artists, educators, elders, and youth across Minnesota in creating and sharing stories that honor lived experience, relationship, and place.
We gratefully acknowledge the following funders for their support:
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Minnesota
Capitol Region Watershed District
F. R. Bigelow Foundation
McKnight Foundation
Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
Minnesota Department of Public Safety (OJP-ARPIC)
Minnesota Humanities Center
Minnesota State Arts Board
National Endowment for the Arts
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
For more information please send an email to info@in-progress.org