Dakota Elder Joe Williams Relates a Traditional Story, Nape

Dakota Elder Joe Williams (Sisseton Wahpeton) relates a traditional story, nape, or handprint, and its meaning to Native people. The Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site is arguably one of the most significant historic and cultural sites of its kind in the world. Its continued use over 9,000 years attests to its importance in traditional Indigenous cultures.

Dakota elder Vernell Wabasha talks about the Jeffers Petroglyphs site

Dakota elder Vernell Wabasha talks about the Jeffers Petroglyphs site. Posted to YouTube by the Minnesota Historical Society on April 23, 2009.

Dakota embroidered miniature moccasins

Dakota embroidered miniature moccasins

Miniature embroidered moccasins made at Birch Coulee and given to Evangeline Whipple by Julia Walker Lawrence in October of 1908.

Black and white photograph of a Red River cart at a Dakota family’s camp, ca. 1870.

Dakota family and Red River carts

A Red River cart at a Dakota family’s camp, ca. 1870.

Dakota family using a horse-drawn travois

Dakota family using a horse-drawn travois

Oil-on-canvas painting depicting a Dakota family using a horse-drawn travois (an animal skin stretched between two poles) to haul their possessions. Painted in 1869 by Seth Eastman. From the art collection of the US House of Representatives; used with permission.

Dakota glass, clay, and agate beads

Dakota glass, clay, and agate beads

Double string of beads includes glass, clay and agate beads; the strand is divided into four rings that are separated by a flat white bead with double holes. The beads are mostly amber colored with a few faceted, round, or cylindrical beads. Additional colors range from plain blue, yellow, or green to multicolored figured beads. The beads were restrung in 1962, but the original bead order has since been restored.

Dakota imprisoned at Fort Snelling

For six days beginning November 7, 1862, about 1,700 Dakota people—mostly women and children—who had surrendered but had not been sentenced to death or prison, were removed from the Lower Sioux Agency to a concentration camp along the river below Fort Snelling. Posted to YouTube by the Minnesota Historical Society, May 6, 2013.

Black and white photo print of Dakota Indian Treaty Delegation, c.1858.

Dakota Indian Treaty Delegation

Dakota Indian Treaty Delegation, c.1858. It was during these negotiations that the Dakota were forced into ceding half of their land along the Minnesota River.

Photograph of Birch Coulee lace makers and their lace

Dakota lace makers at Redwood Agency (Birch Coulee), Morton

Dakota lace makers at Redwood Agency (Birch Coulee), Morton.

Photograph of four lace makers at the Redwood Mission in Morton, Minnesota

Dakota lace makers at the Redwood Mission (Birch Coulee)

Dakota lace makers at the Redwood Mission (Birch Coulee), Morton, 1897.

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