editorial storytelling, climate communications
Mcknight foundation
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Heartseed partnered with McKnight's communications team to develop two stories that complemented the videos (produced by Line Break Media) while standing on their own as compelling narratives. Each narrative aimed to translate complex climate and equity work into compelling, human-centered stories.
The McKnight Foundation produced a series of short films and accompanying stories to highlight their climate grantees.
In the lush summer months, the Hmong American Farmers Association (HAFA) farm in rural Dakota County, Minnesota is a vibrant ecosystem. Bright green leaves dot fields, waving in the breeze to the deep emerald foliage of fruit trees. Gold, pink, orange, and red blossoms draw the eye. Farmers from 18 families work the land, while their children play “King of the Jungle” on mulch piles and bike across the acreage.
Janssen Hang, executive director and co-founder of HAFA, describes farming as more than a career—it’s a cultural touchstone, a way of life. Co-founded by Hang, HAFA was established to address the lack of resources available to Hmong farmers in the Twin Cities, many of whom have relied on farming for their livelihoods since resettling in Minnesota.
Growing a Just and Resilient Food System in the Midwest
The construction of over 122 electric vehicle charging stations has begun, connecting Minnesota’s Tribal communities along major corridors with neighboring Tribes in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Dubbed Electric Nation, the project led by Native Sun Community Power Development will link 23 Tribal nations across the Upper Midwest with chargers, while also delivering 16 electric vehicles, from trucks to shuttles, to Tribal fleets across the region. Poised to reshape the future of energy and transportation for the state’s Indigenous communities, the project—among other Native-led initiatives—represents a spark for Tribal sovereignty, climate action, and the transition to a green economy.
Robert Blake is the founder and executive director of Native Sun and a member of the Red Lake Nation. Above all else, he is dedicated to fostering energy sovereignty among Minnesota and Midwest Tribal nations. What began as a visionary proposal has evolved into a groundbreaking initiative challenging conventional energy paradigms and paving the way for a more just and equitable clean energy future.
Building Tribal Energy Sovereignty Across the Midwest
Our Process and the Opportunity
After receiving the initial story context and companion video, we interviewed relevant farmers, Tribal leaders, nonprofit staff, researchers, and community organizers, looking to understand what was really happening on the ground of their projects.
From there, we did additional research while shaping those conversations into stories that felt approachable. We were also tasked with following the narrative flow of the accompanying videos. The goal was to explain the climate change solutions McKnight Foundation supports, while helping readers care about the people creating them.
Because when someone understands the human elements of a story, they're far more likely to remember the science, or the policy, but more importantly, the possibility of what a climate change solution looks like.
Climate work is full of incredible people doing meaningful things—but those stories don't always get told.
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