WHO WE ARE
The Modern Indigenous is the brainchild of Dana Thompson and Dawn Drouillard, both direct descendants of Indigenous communities based throughout the Minnesota territories.
DANA THOMPSON
A lineal descendant of the Sisseton-Wahpeton and Mdewakanton Dakota tribes and lifetime Minnesota native, Dana Thompson has worked for nearly a decade on the front lines of the food sovereignty movement. She has engaged extensively throughout tribal communities, promoting critical ways to improve food access and implementing strategies to do the most possible good as a social entrepreneur.
In July 2021, Dana co-founded Owamni by The Sioux Chef, Minnesota’s first full-service Indigenous restaurant. Owamni received the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in the U.S. in June 2022. Dana also co-founded the nonprofit NĀTIFS (North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems)
In 2023, she separated from those businesses to launch The Modern Indigenous and Heti, a THC and CBD-infused seltzer water designed to transport you to a place of nature, honoring our plant relatives. A percentage of Heti’s revenue is dedicated to developing sustainable housing Heti is also using a percentage of revenue to develop sustainable housing for Indigenous community members. Thompson also serves on the board of directors of Owamniyomni Okhodayapi (formerly Friends of the Falls) where she has an active voice in protecting Owámniyomni and Wíta Wanáǧi and recognizing these historical sites as cultural treasures to the Dakota people.
An accomplished songwriter and guitarist, Dana was a founding member and lead singer with Strawdogs, Hot Head Fiasco, The Minor Planets as well as two critically acclaimed solo records. Dana has released seven albums as a working musician and producer throughout much of her life.
DAWN DROUILLARD
Founder, Visionary, Resident Chef, and Creator of Marcy Green and Buzz Oils, Dawn Drouillard is a clean-eating advocate, teacher, and mentor passionate about sugar-free, healthy, alternative cuisine. The wealth of food experience in her background is immense, having created Fabulous Catering. This legendary, boutique catering company set the standard for creative culinary events in the Twin Cities Metro for over 22 years.
Dawn, a Direct Descendant of the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe, in partnership with Dana Thompson, launched The Modern Indigenous in 2024. TMI pushes the boundaries of pre-colonial ingredients and highlights Indigenous Foods in a fresh and modern way with an emphasis on health and wellness.
In her free time, Drouillard, AKA Dawn Sauvignon, is the leader of the Astro Rock Band, TWYG PARTY. She is a Divemaster, mother of Francis Trout, animal rescue enthusiast and passionate world traveler. She is also a damn fine dancer, when provoked.