Land Between Two Rivers

Land Between Two Rivers. . The island that marks the meeting of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers was originally called Wita Tanka, or Big Island, by the Dakota. Here they hunted, made maple syrup and fished near the banks of this ancient island. They also gathered to meet with other people from surrounding villages and later, with traders and soldiers., Indians Spearing Fish Three Miles Below Fort Snelling, , 1846-1848, Seth Eastman , Minnesota Historical Society, The Dakota Presence in the River Valley mapping and database project demonstrates the strong presence of the Dakota and other native groups in the Minnesota and Mississippi river valleys. This is an ongoing project of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Community. Wita Tanka, today called Pike Island, is found on the upper right part of the map., Villages along Two Rivers , The Dakota people called the rivers' convergence here Bdo Te, meeting of waters. For centuries the Dakota lived in villages along both rivers. Establishing villages near Wita Tanka and the river confluence, well known leaders of the Eastern Dakota include: Taoyateduta (Little Crow), Wambdi Tanka (Big Eagle), Huyapa (Eagle Head), Sakpe (Shakopee) and Mazomani (Iron Walker). You can find these villages on the map above., Dakota Village, ca. 1851 Seth Eastman, , W. Duncan and Nivin MacMillan and Afton Historical Society Press