The second to last stop on my tour is at a small memorial dedicated to the Dakota people, their way of life, and this sacred land. Fort Snelling, also known as Bdote to the Dakotas, is so important for the Dakota culture and way of life because it has given so much to their tribe. In the summer, men would leave the area to go hunting, while women and children would stay behind to tend to the farms. In winter, this area would serve as refuge for the Dakotas in the harsh Minnesota climate (MNHS). This interconnectedness between the land and culture extended to all facets of their life, from the food they ate, the games they played, and the community bonds that they forged amongst the different Dakota tribes. This is why the colonialization of this land was so devastating; it uprooted their culture, their way of life- their very existence. Hundreds of years after the colonialization of the area, many tribal leaders still visit this very site to remember the history and cultural significance it holds for their people. And Native American tribal leaders are trying to promote more plaques like this one to promote the history that took place here, and the cultural significance that this area holds for native peoples.
Now that we've gone through the history, both natural and human, of the land, we're going to make our way up to Fort Snelling, which can be accessed via the stairs behind the visitors center.