Near St. Peter in Nicollet County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Ministering to the Dakota
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, May 5, 2014
1. Ministering to the Dakota Marker
The Reverend Stephen Riggs and his wife, Mary, arrived at Traverse des Sioux in 1843 to establish a Protestant mission for the Dakota.
He and other missionaries believed they had a duty to convert Indians to Christianity. Their efforts alienated most of the Dakota, who had their own deeply held spiritual beliefs and practices. When Riggs relocated to the mission at Lac qui Parle in 1846, the Reverend Robert Hopkins took over for him.
"Without their assent at all"
After the Dakota made a unanimous decision in 1849 to stop attending Christian worship services and the mission school, a disappointed Hopkins wrote his governing board: "We came here without the hearty assent of the Indians — perhaps without their assent at all. . . . We found Brother Pond (a fellow missionary) here. He had been encamped here several days and was acquainted with the feelings of the people. The Rev. Stephen Riggs asked Mr. Pond whether he should ask the Indians for leave to stay here, He answered, not if you wish to stay."
Traverse des Sioux
this page online
Erected by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Minnesota Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1843.
Location. 44° 21.059′ N, 93° 57.046′ W. Marker is near St. Peter, Minnesota, in Nicollet County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of North Minnesota Avenue (U.S. 169) and Dodd Avenue (State Highway 22), on the right when traveling north. Marker is along an interpretive trail that is adjacent to the Nicollet County Historical Society Treaty Site History Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1851 North Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter MN 56082, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Archaeology (within shouting distance of this marker); Ecakensdonyapi (within shouting distance of this marker); Treaty of Traverse Des Sioux (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Rush for Land (about 300 feet away); "Only a Memory Now" (about 400 feet away); Land-Seas (about 400 feet away); Welcome to Traverse des Sioux (about 600 feet away); Fur Trader Louis Provencalle (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Peter.
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, May 5, 2014
2. Ministering to the Dakota Marker
More about this marker. caption: Seth Eastman, Dakotah Encampment, 1852
Also see . . . Missionaries. (Submitted on October 19, 2014.)
Additional keywords. Samuel W. Pond; Gideon H. Pond
Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 374 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
