For the Fall 2025 expedition we plan to travel from the Headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico, traveling approximately 800 miles of that distance on the water (with the remainder traveling in vans). We cover that distance on the water over the course of 40-50 days of sailing or paddling, with the remainder being spent in layover days camping on islands and with site visits in locations along the way. The itinerary is broken down into five segments: the Headwaters, the Upper Mississippi and the Twin Cities, the Middle Mississippi and St. Louis, the Lower Mississippi (from Natchez to New Orleans) and the Delta and Gulf South. Programming and curriculum are being developed in coordination with partner organizations in each of these regions that are part of the Mississippi River Open School for Kinship and Social Exchange.
DRAFT ITINERARY (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Aug. 30: All participants meet at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN.
Aug. 31: Depart by van for the Headwaters of the Mississippi. Lake Itasca orientation and site visits related to pipeline and mining controversies and the University of Minnesota Biological Field Research Station.
Sept. 1 – Sept. 4: Site visits at Lake Itasca, Line 3 Pipeline, Copper-Nickel and Iron Mines
Sept. 5 – 8: Wild Rice Camp near Palisade, MN (tentative, dependent on the conditions being right)
Sept. 9 -11: Twin Cities site visits related to environmental justice, riverfront redevelopment, and Indigenous resistance in the region. Loading up the boats and final gear and supply prep.
Sept. 12: Transit with boats on trailers to near Keokuk, Iowa.
Sept. 13 – Oct. 15: Sail and paddle the Middle Mississippi River & St. Louis from Keokuk to Cairo, Illinois (~350 miles on the river; in St. Louis from Oct. 3 – 10.
Oct. 17 – 21: Transit by van to Memphis (3 nights) and then Clarksdale, MS (2 nights). Visit with John Ruskey of Quapaw Canoe Company.
Oct. 22 – Nov. 22: Relaunch boats from near Clarksdale (depending on river level) and sail through Baton Rouge and the Chemical Corridor to New Orleans.
Nov. 23-30: Bulbancha (New Orleans) with multiple site visits and activities in New Orleans and surrounding area.
Dec. 1 – Dec. 11: Final sail-paddle from New Orleans to Mardi Gras Pass and then along the Gulf Coast to Biloxi, MS (weather dependent).
Dec. 12-13: Take boats out near Biloxi, pack gear, rest, regroup, prepare for trip back north.
Dec. 14 – 15: shuttle by van back from New Orleans to Minneapolis. Unpack, finish up final projects.
Dec. 17: 10-Year Anniversary Celebration and Welcome Back, Hoversten Chapel, Augsburg University
Dec. 16: Students depart