Bdote Memory Map facts for kids
The Bdote Memory Map is a special online map and website. It helps the Dakota people share their history and memories. This map focuses on the area now called the Twin Cities in Minnesota. It shows the region's history from an Indigenous point of view. You can find videos, audio, and stories from Native speakers. They share personal and old family stories about the place where the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers meet. The Dakota people call this place Bdote. It means "where the two waters come together."
Contents
How the Bdote Memory Map Started
The Bdote Memory Map was created with help from Mona Smith. She is a Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota videographer. Mona Smith worked with the Minnesota Humanities Center to make the map.
From Art Show to Online Map
The idea for the map came from an art show in 2006. Mona Smith created this show called "City Indians." It was at the Ancient Traders Gallery. The name "City Indians" seemed strange to some. This was because it talked about Dakota people living in the Twin Cities. But Mona Smith wanted to show that these cities grew on land that was already important to the Dakota people. This land was the Bdote area.
Growing the Project
The Minnesota Humanities Center gave money to help the project grow. At first, it was a simple map where Native Americans could add their memories. These memories were like sticky notes. Over time, this idea grew into the online Bdote Memory Map you can see today.
Exploring the Website
When you visit the Bdote Memory Map website, you will see a special design.
The Dakota Medicine Wheel
The website starts with a four-sided wheel. This wheel looks like a traditional Dakota Medicine Wheel. It asks you to explore the map or read other writings. You can also find information about the Dakota people and the website itself.
Interactive Map Features
The map part of the website is interactive. This means you can click on different spots. These spots are like markers on the map. When you click on a marker, a story or memory will appear. These stories can be:
- Videos
- Audio recordings
- Written stories
These stories come from Indigenous writers, artists, elders, students, and experts. Many of the writings also ask you questions. These questions help you think about what you have learned.
Other Resources on the Website
The website also has other helpful parts. You can find:
- Guides for teachers to learn about Indigenous peoples in school.
- Information about the Dakota people.
- Details about American Indian legal histories.
- Different historical maps of the Bdote area and the Americas.
What's Next for the Map
The Bdote Memory Map is still growing. It is always looking for new Indigenous memories and stories. These stories are about the Bdote region. Mona Smith hopes to make the map even bigger in the future. She wants it to include Indigenous stories from all along the Mississippi River, all the way down to Louisiana.
