Article content courtesy Explore Minnesota. Check out profiles of places mentioned and explore more things to do in Southern Minnesota at ExploreMinnesota.com/Southern.
Dakota Heritage Sites in Southern Minnesota
Southern Minnesota, from Welch in the east to Granite Falls in the west, offers some of the state’s greatest educational, cultural and recreational sites, including some that are extremely important to my people—the Dakota.
Linking them all is our state’s namesake river, Mni Śota wakpa (the Minnesota River). On a recent weekend, I set out to explore various Dakota and scenic spots along the astonishing 300-mile Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway.
Powwow at the Prairie Island Indian Community
My pilgrimage began in Welch at the Dakota Nation called Tinta Winta, the Prairie Island Indian Community. First up was the tribe’s summer wacipi (powwow). Here, I found myself surrounded by some of the best indigenous dancers, singers and cultural art vendors in the region, along with Native and non-Native audiences sharing in the celebration. I spent most of the morning and early afternoon watching competition dancing while chomping on an Indian taco—a fluffy frybread with taco toppings.
THE VIBRANT COLORS OF THE FEATHERS, BEADWORK AND RIBBONS WERE MESMERIZING.
Dakota Sites in the Mississippi River Valley
By afternoon, I felt the call of the breathtaking Mississippi River Valley and headed out for some rambunctious activity of my own.
At Frontenac State Park, about 15 miles south of Red Wing, I hiked the 2.7-mile Bluffside Trail, which led me to the park’s unique geological feature, Inyan Tiopa (stone entry). As a site of traditional ceremony and burial, it’s quite significant to the Dakota people. I took a moment to center myself and breathe in the scenery before completing the trail loop.
Lower Sioux Destinations
The next day, I drove 125 miles eastward to a second Dakota Nation–the Morton-based Canśayapi, or Lower Sioux Indian Community–and took a quiet stroll along the Lower Sioux Agency (LSA) historic site’s trails. The views of the tree canopy above the Minnesota River were gorgeous!
Afterwards, I toured the Lower Sioux Agency interpretive center, which showcases a tumultuous period in U.S.-Dakota relations, as well as a present-day snapshot of the Lower Sioux. I leaned into the virtual reality exhibit, hands-on learning trunks and the giftshop’s pottery by Lower Sioux artists.
Ramsey Park Highlights
Following my exploration of LSA, I stopped in Ramsey Park in Redwood Falls where I hit the trails and admired the Dakota-language park signs. The park is within the corridor known to the Dakota as Canśayapi (“where the trees are painted red”). Historically, Dakota people marked hundreds of traditional and sacred places in Minnesota in their language, and the five new park signs extend that tradition. I simply couldn’t leave without checking out the buffalo, elk and goats in the park zoo and watching the incredible Redwood Falls tumble toward the rocks below.
Upper Sioux Community Sites
Finally, I headed to the west end of the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway corridor and the trip’s third Dakota Nation known as Pezutazizi, the Upper Sioux Community (USC). I spent the day exploring the natural and historic sites of the Upper Sioux Agency State Park, the location of the original agency lost in the Dakota War of 1862. I walked the Terrace and Raspberry loop trails, then toured the two on-site historic structures—the duplex and annuity building. My journey ended with a visit to the tipi campgrounds inside the park’s tipi demo, where replicas of traditional Dakota tipi items were on display.
More Things to Do Along This Southern Minnesota Route: Casinos to Wildlife
Prairie Island
In Prairie Island, enjoy a grab and go iced latte at Treasure Island Casino’s coffee and snack bar. The casino features a 150,000-square-foot gaming floor with slots, table games and bingo, as well big-name entertainers in a 10,000-seat amphitheater.
Wabasha
Stop by the National Eagle Center in Wabasha for a dose of history, culture and wildlife. The center is located on the banks of the Mississippi River and visitors can view live wild eagles and interactive exhibits and attend renowned classroom programs led by naturalists.
Morton
In Morton, visit Birch Coulee Battlefield, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the site of one of the fiercest battles of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862; Renville County Museum, a collection of several historical structures and numerous documents reflecting the history of the county; the Morton Canoe landing, where you can paddle on the Minnesota River; Jackpot Junction Casino where you’ll find around-the-clock slot machines, table games and live bingo; and LSA’s June powwow.
Granite Falls
In Granite Falls, stroll through the historic downtown area, home to breweries, pubs and coffee shops. Don’t miss USC’s pow-wow in August and Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort.
About the writer: Cheyanne St. John is the oldest granddaughter of Ernest Wabasha, sixth generation Hereditary Chief of the Mdewakanton Dakota. She is the director of the Cansayapi Cultural Department and the tribal historic preservation officer (THPO) for Lower Sioux Indian Community. Learn more about her Lower Sioux Community on lowersioux.com and more about the Lower Sioux Agency on Facebook: @lowersiouxagencyofficial.
