Near St. Peter in Nicollet County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
A Minority in Their Homeland
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, May 16, 2013
1. A Minority in Their Homeland Marker
For generations, the land stretching out around you was the homeland of the Dakota Indians. Through treaties in 1851, the Dakota sold all of their land in southern Minnesota. The treaties disregarded Dakota people's traditional decision-making processes and were written in a language they hardly knew. Making an "X" on a piece of paper was not the same as the Dakota way of taking council and obtaining the majority's consent.
After the signings, the Dakota were coerced onto reservations on the Minnesota River—but only until that land, too, was needed for white settlement. By 1860, white settlers in the Minnesota River Valley outnumbered the Dakota five to one. In a single decade, the Dakota people had become a minority in their homeland.
Fort Ridgely
Erected by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the Minnesota Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.
Location. 44° 20.951′ N, 93° 57.05′ W. Marker is near St. Peter, Minnesota, in Nicollet County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of North
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Traverse des Sioux (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Traverse des Sioux (within shouting distance of this marker); "Only a Memory Now" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Land-Seas (about 500 feet away); Archaeology (about 600 feet away); Ministering to the Dakota (about 700 feet away); Ecakensdonyapi (about 700 feet away); The Rush for Land (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Peter.
More about this marker. captions:
• Treaty of Traverse des Sioux, 1851, courtesy National Archives
• Francis B. Miller, Treaty of Traverse des Sioux, 1904
Also see . . . Treaty of Traverse des Sioux. Wikipedia entry. "The forced change in lifestyle and the much lower than expected payments from the federal government caused economic suffering and increased social tensions within the tribes. Finally their resentments broke out in the Dakota War of 1862." (Submitted on January 31, 2014.)
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, May 16, 2013
2. A Minority in Their Homeland Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 460 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 31, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
