Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Community facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 250[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States, (Minnesota) | |
| Languages | |
| Dakota, American English |
The Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Community (MMDTC) is a group of Dakota people who live in Mendota, Minnesota. This community works to keep Dakota culture and traditions alive.
The MMDTC was officially started in 1997. Since then, they have been trying to become a federally recognized tribe by the US Bureau of Indian Affairs. They also offer many community activities. These include Powwows, classes to learn the Dakota language, and lessons about Dakota culture. They also work with the Minnesota Historical Society.
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Dakota History in Minnesota
The Dakota people were the first people to live in the area we now call Minnesota. Their homes were mainly around the Twin Cities, Mille Lacs Lake, and the Minnesota River Valley. The name "Minnesota" comes from the Dakota words "Mni Sota," which means "cloudy water." This was the name for the Minnesota River. Later, settlers used it for the whole state.
The Minnesota River is very important to the Dakota people. The place where it meets the Mississippi River in Saint Paul, Minnesota is called Mdote. There is an island there called Wakan Tanka. Dakota spirituality teaches that this island is where the Dakota people were created. Other important Dakota sites nearby include Oheyawahi-Pilot Knob and Coldwater Spring.
Early European Contact
Before American settlers arrived, the Dakota people had lost some of their northern lands. This happened in wars with the Ojibwe people. The Ojibwe had been pushed west by conflicts with colonists. They had also gained an advantage by getting guns and ammunition before the Dakota.
The first official meeting between the Dakota and the United States government was the 1805 Pike's Treaty. Through this treaty, the U.S. built a military fort, Fort Snelling. They also gained land that would later become the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. This meant the Dakota lost the land around Mdote and Wakan Tanka, which was very important to them. Over time, many more treaties were signed. Each treaty gave the Dakota people smaller and smaller pieces of land. This eventually led to a conflict known as the U.S.-Dakota War.
The U.S.-Dakota War of 1862
The U.S.-Dakota War began because U.S. officials did not give the Dakota people the food and goods they had promised. This caused many Dakota people on reservations to suffer from hunger and even die. Because of this, Dakota men fought against the white settlers nearby. They fought for the food they were promised and for their safety and freedom.
A key leader in this conflict was Taoyateduta (Little Crow). He was a Dakota chief who greatly helped the Dakota resistance. His family members are part of the MMDTC today. The Dakota were eventually defeated by the white Minnesotans. Dakota non-fighters were then held in a camp near Fort Snelling, on Wakan Tanka.
After trials for the Dakota people who fought in the war, President Abraham Lincoln ordered 38 Dakota men to be executed in Mankato. This was the largest mass execution in U.S. history. After this, the remaining Dakota people in the Fort Snelling camp were forced to leave Minnesota.
How the Community Formed
The Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Community officially started in 1997. It was formed in Mendota, Minnesota. According to Dakota ancestors, Mendota is the "center of the universe." After the U.S.-Dakota War, some Dakota families helped try to remove the Dakota fighters. Because of this, they were allowed to stay near Minneapolis and St. Paul, in the towns of Mendota and Lilydale. This allowed them to live near Mdote and Wakan Tanka. Their descendants still live in this area today.
Protecting Sacred Sites: Highway 55
Soon after the MMDTC was formed, the community played a big role in protesting a new highway. The proposed route for Highway 55 threatened important Dakota sites like Coldwater Springs. The Mendota community, along with the American Indian Movement and Earth First!, worked to change the plans. They wanted the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) to protect these sacred places.
After years of protests, which included facing police and harsh winter weather, and court cases, MNDOT agreed to a solution. They installed a special lining to protect the spring's water source. This allowed the highway to be built while also protecting the natural area.
Seeking Official Recognition
The Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Community has been seeking official recognition from the U.S. government since 1997. They were first denied, but the community continues to fight for their right to be recognized as a sovereign tribe. The Mendota community comes from important Dakota chiefs, including Little Crow. They want to be seen as a federally recognized tribe, which would give them certain powers and rights, because of their strong family connections to famous Dakota leaders.
Cultural Traditions
The cultural traditions of the Mendota Community are very similar to those of the wider Dakota people. These practices have been passed down through generations since before European contact. The Mendota Community has a special role as "Keepers of the Eastern Gate." This idea means there are tribes in each main direction that help protect all Dakota people.
The MMDTC holds monthly tribal meetings. At these meetings, the community comes together to make decisions about how they will operate and what activities they will do. There is also a yearly Powwow around September. At this event, the community and their guests celebrate the earth, their ancestors, spirits, and their cultural heritage. The Mendota Community offers classes to teach the Dakota language. They also have classes on cultural activities, such as making traditional foods. These practices help the community keep their ancestors' beliefs and actions alive. They also help educate others and ensure these traditions continue for many years.
