Where the waters gather and the rivers meet : (o-ki-zu wa-kpa) (to meet, to unite) : an atlas of the eastern Sioux

W here the W aters Gather and the Rivers Meet (O -K I-Z U W A -K P Ä ) (To meet, to unite) An Atlas of the Eastern Sioux by Paul Durand

Edited by Robin Siev Durand Valerie Maisonneuve, Programmes Culturels Illustrations by Rene E. Durand

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Additional copies of this book m ay be ordered at a cost of $14.95 plus $2.00 shipping and handling from: Paul C. Durand 15341 Red Oaks Road SE Prior Lake, MN 55372

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Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 94-71463 ISBN 0-9641469-0-8 Copyright Paul C. Durand ©1994 TXu 329-462 No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any m eans, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author/publisher.

T a b le o f C o n t e n t s Dedication......................................................................... p. Prelude................................................................................p. Introduction........................................................................ p. Acknowledgements....................................... p. Pronunciation Guide.......................................................... p. Anatomy of a Language.................................................... p.

1,11 Ill IV V VI VII

Dakota geographical place names................................... p.

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Ojibwa (Chippewa) place names on the northern and eastern peripheries.........................p.121 Cross Index (Dakota)......................................................... p. a-p Cross Index (Ojibwa)......................................................... p. q-v

L is t o f Illu s t r a t io n s Warrior........................................................................ Title Page Clem Felix.......................................................................... p. Ill CE-TAN KA-GA-PI.......................................................... ....p. 12 HE-HA-KA HNA-KA WA-KPA-DAN.................................... p. 18 HO-GAN O-WAN-KA K IN .................................................. p. 26 MA-KA YU-SO-TA.............................................................. p. 46 MA-TOWA-KAN................................................................ p. 48 MDETO-KA....................................................................... p. 53 S tar.....................................................................................p. 56 O-WA-MNI-YO-MNI............................................................ p. 69 Signature of SHA-GO-BAI & SHAGOBENS.......................p. 76 Battle of Shakopee............................................................ p. 78

Dedicated to my friend LOUIE GARCIA, historian, in the far prairies of North Dakota whose wife, Hilda, is a descendant of l-te Wa-kin-yan, the Ti-za-ptan-na.

To the fond memory of Clem Felix, hiking companion and teller of tales whose ancestors were the Santees and the French Canadian trappers. Clem was born in 1892 on the Niobrara, Santee Reservation, Nebraska, and attended Pipestone Indian School. As a boy his parents returned via horse-drawn wagon to their original homesite near Prior Lake. Much like the apostolic succession, he was our connecting link with the distant plains, the far mountains and the wild West of our imagination. After raising a large family and farming for many years, he became disabled, ironically, by a horse and so retired. Many happy days were spent with this eminently friendly, modest man exploring the lower Minnesota River Valley and its tributaries until his death at Shakopee in 1973.

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Prelude The writing of history, that which gets recorded, is almost always presented from the viewpoint of the dominant culture of the time. This is what occurred when the first Europeans arrived on this continent or the “New World” as it was called by them. It may have been a new land or an undiscovered world but it certainly wasn’t new to the ones who lived here; rather it was an an­ cient and familiar place, a world with myths and beginnings and cycles reasons why life is lived in a certain way. This truly was an old and estab­ lished world. There were names of places that told of what happened here, that described the center of earth, or the war of the sky god and the god of the nether regions. Yes, this certainly was an old and active world. That was soon to change, however; the newcomers would change all that. They would put their names on these places. Their heroes would now identify these places and the ancient names would fade, soon to be forgotten. Where the Waters Gather and the Rivers Meet will not allow that to happen. This book is a very important work. It will preserve the past before American history began. Future generations will know there was a time before American his­ tory. I am honored to share coffee and conversation with Paul Durand, the author of this valuable book. - The Rev. Gary Cavender Wahpeton/Mdewakanton Dakota

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INTRODUCTION As a boy in Minneapolis, it was a simple matter to hike to the surrounding countryside. Of the string of lakes to the west, Cedar and Brownie were still in a partial state of wildness; Glenwood, Twin and Sweeney Lakes were to us the last frontier. Beyond to the northwest lay the mysterious Medicine Lake source of the slowly meandering Bassett’s Creek, a fit land for any intrepid explorer. Prairies to the south were not far beyond Minnehaha Creek. The Falls, colorful sandstone cliffs, springs and caves along the way to Fort Snelling were our raison d’etre. And the Fort with the wide, blue Minnesota Valley fading into the sunny quiet of an afternoon, would conjure up images of long ago. But wait! Is this not an old Indian trail to Good Road’s and Shakopee’s? And that sound, the throb of a distant drum! Through the means of these place-names, the land will be made to give up its silence—to speak out, to tell of a land peopled by spirits and monsters, alive again with laughing children, tipis, and dusky warriors on the warpath. These names are a witness to the sound of the flute, its folklore and spiritual beliefs. It has been said the frontiers of speech are the only real ones, for we carry them with us. Language is the vehicle of tradition; it might even be said that language is tradition itself, the living past. Locations are sometimes described as the left bank or the right bank of a river. Just keep in mind that this rule applies only as one faces down-stream. The left bank would naturally be to one’s left—and there it remains forever. Should one paddle upstream, the left bank which has not moved one iota, would of course be on the right side. The greater part of these place names has been gleaned from the fieldnotes and maps of Joseph Nicollet, commissioned in the 1830’s by the U.S. Government to survey the Upper Missouri and Mississippi River Basins. His great love of the countryside with its immense distances, its lakes and hills reads as an emotional poetic epic. This savant not only served as a cartog­ rapher, but also as an ethnologist recording many of the Dakota and Ojibwa customs, traditions and languages plus place names by the hundreds. Other early travelers such as Zebulon Pike, Giacomo Beltrami, Major Long and the Protestant missionaries all left these delightfully descriptive names in lesser number. This, then, is part of their legacy. Paul Durand

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Acknowledgement My many thanks to old friends who have taken interest in the ancient traditions: Louis Garcia, Devils Lake, North Dakota; Clem Felix, hiking companion and teller of tales whose ancestors were the Santees and French Canadian trappers, deceased; Alan Woolworth of the Minnesota Historical Society; Rene Durand, my long time companion on the lakes and rivers plus talented landscape artist; my hardworking editor, Robin Durand; Reverend Gary Cavender, Prior Lake; Chris Cavender of Minneapolis; Mrs. Louise Bluestone Smith, Prior Lake; Mrs. Jan Peterson, Prior Lake librarian; Valerie Maisonneuve, translator, Peyrins, France; John L. Ford, “The Westerner,” Bloomington; Mr. and Mrs. Alex and Lily Ross, both deceased, of Granite Falls; Mrs. Lena and Irving Campbell of Prairie Island, both deceased; and my faithful correspondent, Mrs. Frances Perry of Black River Falls, Wisconsin, Winnebago historian and recorder of ancient legends; plus many others in the Native American community throughout the years; Kay M. McKay of Minneapolis for her advice and expert typesetting; and in the final analysis, where it counts, the generous grant of Stanley Crooks, chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

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PRONUNCIATION GUIDE a has the sound of “a” in father c has the sound of “ch” in chop e has the sound of “a” in face h has the sound of “ch” in German ach i has the sound of “e” in me o has the sound of “o” in go s has the sound of “sh” in shine u has the sound of “u” in rule Subtle dialectal differences are evident even within the Santee groups but are too insignificant to alter intended meanings. The missionaries in formu­ lating their Dakota phonetics indicated “M” had a similar sound in Dakota, yet there seems to be an occasional exception in their word for lake (MDE) and by extension their tribal name MDEWA-KAN-TON-WAN. It is pronounced with a definite “B” though for the sake of conformity, the traditional “M” spelling will remain. Another slight variation is given in the diminutive suffix. Stephen Riggs, Samuel and Gideon Pond, Frederic Pearsall, and others in their writings use the “dan” suffixed to nouns, pronouns, adjectives and verbs while others use “da.” As an example, MDE for lake, MDE-DAN for a little lake. Farther west, the l-HANK-TON-WAN and SI-SI-TON-WAN use the “na,” and the TI-TON, “la.” The diacritical or accent marks serve as an aid to proper pronunciation and meanings of words. Some words which are spelled the same rely on the ac­ cent to identify it: as MÄ-GA, a field, MA-GÄ, a goose; PA-FIÄ, a hill, PÄ-FIA, the hair of the head; HE, the horns of animals, HE, a high hill; SNI, cold, as the weather; SNI, negation. These accent marks do not appear in the text but are to be found on the map.

VII Anatomy of a Language by Rubem Lima The Dakota language is classified in the same linguistic family with the Assiniboine, Winnebago, Crow, Omaha, Iowa, Oto, Ponka, Kansas, Hidatsa, Osage, Missouri, Quapa, and Mandan. It is the largest division of the Siouan family and is spoken in Minnesota, in both Dakotas, Montana, and Nebraska. It is characterized by three main dialects: Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota. Two of its phonological characteristics are a number of glottalized conso­ nants and nasal vowels. It has complex verb forms that include 12 verbs for coming and going, 12 verbs for “to be,” up to seven action prefixes, four prepositional prefixes, frequentative forms, absolute and non-absolute forms. Verb forms show the agent by prefix or infix and the object by infix. Verbs can be classified as active or Stative. Most adjectives and a few nouns can be conjugated as Stative verbs. The vocabulary is characterized by extensive and complex kinship terminology, a wealth of descriptive adverbs, and a rich vocabulary. The language has a large store of usable prefixes and suffixes. There is no grammatical gender, with a few distinct forms for the different sexes (as in English). Statements and commands are followed by particles which indicate the sex of the speaker. Prepositions are more appropriately described as postpositions. Word order is subject+object+verb and noun and adjective.

1 A-DEK Tl Faribault, Minnesota. The Dakota could not say Alexander so they abbreviated Alex to Adek and added Tl, the word for habitation. Alexander Faribault, a half Dakota fur trader, was the son of Jean Baptiste Faribault. This was WA-HPE KU-TE (1) leaves (2) to shoot (Shooters-in-the-Leaves) country, a division who lived on the Cannon River south to the sources of the Red Cedar and Blue Earth Rivers. ANDAIG WIGWAN ZIBI (Ojibwa) The Crow River which enters the Mississippi River at Dayton , Minnesota. (See KAN-GI) A-NOG l-TE (1) on b oth sid e s (2) face. “The Double-Faced Woman.” She incites dissension, temptation and gossip. Another name was WI-YAN NON-PA-PI (1) woman (2) double. There are many and varied stories of this ambitious young lady. In Dakota cosmology she was known as l-TE, the beau­ tiful wife of TA-TE, the Wind. In her vanity, she attempted to usurp the place of FIAN-WI, the Moon, as companion to the Sun. As punishment, the gods decreed she should exist forever with two faces, one enticingly beautiful, the other horridly repulsive. “To dream of the Double Woman represents a dualism in which a moral choice must be made. On the one side the recipient, a woman, would see women ‘laughing and carrying on’ in an immoderate manner. On the other, she would see a nice look­ ing young woman with nice braids sitting demurely while busying herself with her bead or quill work. In this moment of temptation the dreamer must chose between the life of reckless fun and sexuality or the life of modesty, the indus­ trious responsibility of a virtuous woman. In choosing the latter, Anog Ite, the patron of the arts, grants a supernatural gift of extraordinary talent in beadwork, especially in quillwork which she originated.”—Dr. Ron D. Theisz A story told by the late Irving Campbell of Prairie Island states that two hunters on the east side of Lake Pepin near present day Bay City heard loud, insane laughter. Peering through the foliage they saw two women swinging in a delirium of gaity. Upon seeing the two men they cried, “Cousin, please come over here. Someone waves a robe in this direction at me!”—followed by uncontrollable laughter. The hunters fled in terror.

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“The waving of the shawl would be interpreted as an improper and openly coarse method of courtship in which a Dakota woman would not respond except in the accepted way of standing with a young man under a robe or blanket close to her tipi under the watchful eye of a chaperone.—Dr. Ron D. Theisz “Some say she appears as a beautiful but otherwise normal woman who does not reveal her true nature. As the enchanting seductress, she leads men to insanity or to even death.—Dr. Ron D. Theisz “Philosophically it reflects the perpetual need for moral choice, a choice which needs to be eternally made for the good. Once made, such moral decisions are then supported by dreams which lend sanction.”—Dr. Ron D. Theisz, Black Hills State College, Spearfish, South Dakota ASHKAKWA SAGAIIGUN (Ojibwa) “Lake-Where-There-ls-

Standing-Wood,” or by the French, Lac au Bois Franc, “Lakeof-the-Hard-Woods.” Present day Tainter Lake, Dunn County, Wisconsin.—Jos. A. Gilfillan BATTURE AUX FIEVRES— Fever Banks.” French traders were stricken here by fever. This small sandbar on the Minne­ sota River is about one mile above the mouth of present day Sand Creek.—Jos. N. Nicollet BEKE NIGIDJII KAG SAGAIIGUN (Ojibwa) Buffalo Fish Lake, so called because the fish were so numerous. Present day Buffalo Lake, Wright County. Quite by coincidence, the source lake of the south branch of the Crow River carries a similar name though in Dakota country—KAN-DI-YO-HI—“Where-theBuffalo-Fish-Come.”—Jos. A. Gilfillan CAN-DU-HU-PA SA KA PI (1) a p ip e (2) re d (3) to d ig (4) plural. Also known as IN-YAN SA KA-PI (1) stone (2) red (3) to hoe or to grub. It was believed WA-KIN-YAN, the god of thun­

der, had opened this quarry. One could not arrive there without first being saluted by its thunderous reverberations. The l-HANKTON-WANS called the quarries CAN-UM OKE (1) to smoke tobacco (2) quarries. Joshua Feather tells a story of a time when some tracks which he compared to modern tractor treadmarks, were found coming east out of Lake Andes. People were amazed at these tracks that were made by some great creature.

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The tracks continued on for many miles going towards the Pipestone Quarries. It was believed they might have been made by UN-KTE-HI, Near Pipestone the tracks disappeared into a spring. Shortly after, Lake Andes went dry. Sometimes when the l-HANK-TONS were camping at the Pipestone Quarries, they would hear a strange tapping on a stone. It was a very singular happening and the people still speak of it.—James H. Howard (See O-TA-KA PSIN-CA) The Legend of the Redstone Quarry “A long time ago a large party of l-HANK-TONS and TI-TONS had gathered together at the quarry to dig the stone. Upon a sultry evening just before sunset, the heavens suddenly became clouded accompanied by heavy rumbling of thunder and every sign of an approaching storm. Each one hurried to his lodge expecting a storm when a vivid flash of lightning followed im­ mediately by a crashing peal of thunder broke over them. Looking toward the huge boulder beyond their camp they saw a pillar or column of smoke standing upon it which moved to and fro gradually settling down into the outline of a huge giant.” “Seated upon the boulder with one long arm extended to the skies and the other pointing down to his feet, he suddenly dis­ appeared. Peal after peal of thunder and flashes followed in quick succession. The next morning the Dakotas went to this boulder and found figures and images upon it where before there was nothing. Ever since, the place has been regarded as sacred.”—James W. Lynd CAN-DU-HU-PA SA WA-KPA (1) a pipe (2) red (3) river. Flows

near the Pipestone Quarries.— Jos. N. Nicollet CAN HA SAN PA-HA (1) wood (2) bark (3) grayish (4) hills.

“The-Hills-of-the-Whitish-Barked-Trees,” or “Sugar Maple Hills.” The ancient name of Chanhassen, Carver County.—Frederic “Wan-mdi Ska” Pearsall CAN HA SAN WI-TA (1) tree or trees, wood (2) the bark, skin, or rind (3) whitish or grayish (4) island. “Sugar Maple Island." Present day Iowa, Goose, North and South Silver Lakes, Martin County.—Jos. N. Nicollet

CAN HMI-HMA (1) wood (2) round. Called Round Prairie or “La Prairie Ronde” because the woods surrounded it in a nearly

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perfect circle. This small prairie is located opposite present day Belle Plaine, left bank. It begins three miles above the city ex­ tending down stream close to Beven’s Creek. Also called HUTA HMI-HMA (1) the edge o f a prairie or wood (2) round. Others call it TIN-TA MI-BE (1) prairie (2) circular.—Jos. N. Nicollet CAN IN-TPA WA-KPA (1) wood (2) source or end (3) river. This can also be interpreted as “tree tops,” however this context in­ dicates these woods were the end of Sioux territory. Beyond Rabbit Creek they could not hunt without being prepared for war with the Ojibwas. Present day Bois de Sioux River north of Lake Traverse.—Jos. N. Nicollet CAN KA-GA O-TI-DAN (1) wood (2) to make (3) a small habi­ tation. Granite Falls was so-called after the WA-HPE-TON-WAN

village nearby. CAN KA-PO-ZA (1) wood (2) light. The Bois Leger (lightwood) of the French. The source of the Vermillion River, South Dakota.—Jos. N. Nicollet CAN KA-SDE-CA (often spelled CAN KASNDATA on early

maps) (1) wood (2) to split. This is the present day Big Sioux River on the Coteau country. As the name indicates, the stream splits or divides the large woods along its valley. Because of two large bends, the river takes another name above Sioux Falls: WA-KPA l-PA-KSAN, “River-of-the-Bend.”—Jos. N. Nicollet CAN KA-SKA WA-KPA-DAN (1) wood (2) to bind together, to fortify (3) creek. “River-of-the-Fort.” It enters the Minnesota River near the present day village of Kasota. A ccording to Featherstonhaugh, a battle took place here between the Dakota and Ojibwa. Present day Shantaska Creek. The Indian Agent, Taliaferro, mentions some defensive mounds “above Cannon River” (location not mentioned) rendered famous because of the defeat of the Sac Chief, Keokuc, with his 200 mounted warriors in 1830. A small party of the Five Lodge Band (TI-ZA-PTAN-NA) of SI-SI-TONS, plus a few WA-HPE-KUTE—a total of 35 men and women—had no more than three guns and the balance of bows and arrows. Yet from their earth pits, they kept Keokuc at bay all day, until late at night when the Dakotas made a successful retreat. The Sacs returned home defeated, with several wounded men and one dead warrior.

5 CAN KA-SNA-SNA W A-KPA (1) w ood (2) to make bare (3) river. “River-of-the-Branchless-Trees,” or ‘‘Riviere a t ’A rbes Ebranche,” due possibly to the flooding caused by numerous

beaver dams. Present day LeSueur River.—Jos. N. Nicollet Near the end of July, 1831, forty Sacs passed between the headwaters of the Cannon and Blue Earth Rivers where they met and killed several Dakotas at a place called SIN-TE HO-TA or “Gray Tail,” not far from where the Sac and Fox fought seven previous conflicts in 1822 and 1823. CAN KI-YU-TE O-CAN-KA (1) wood (2) an isthmus (3) the end, border, boundary. This is Featherstonhaugh’s, “End of the Freewood District River,” the present day Forest-Prairie Creek at LeSueur. His translation of freewood refers to the deciduous as opposed to the evergreen. The Big Woods, a great forest of hardwoods, acted as a di­ viding line between the vast prairies of the West and the pine forests to the east. Beginning in Canada and entering the state east of the Red River Valley, it varied in width from five miles gradually expanding to over eighty miles in its southerly course into Iowa and Wisconsin. An average height of ninety feet in the eastern edges to fifty feet in the western suggests an imaginary projection of at least another one hundred miles into the prairies in former times. Destruction of this forest was continuous due primarily to hunting and warfare. The southern underbelly of the Big Woods was protected by the Minnesota, LeSueur and Cannon Rivers. Prairie fires racing eastwards south of the Minnesota River met the stream at an acute angle shunting them along a parallel course to the valley. Making a sharp turn northward at Mankato, the LeSueur and sources of the Cannon with its myriad lakes continued this magnificient fire barrier.—Rexford F. Daubenmire

CAN Kl-YU-TE WA-KPA-DAN (1) wood (2) the shape of an isth­ mus or strait (3) a small stream. Though within the general area of the Big Woods, the forest between Robert’s Creek on the south edge of Belle Plaine upstream to Forest-Prairie Creek at LeSueur was of extraordinary thickness, hence this descriptive name.

CAN NA-HMA-DAN (1) wood (2) hidden (3) small. “Le Bois Cache." This little stream descends into a deep ravine whose

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wooded banks are protected from prairie fires. The tops of the trees are not visible to anyone on the prairie and because wood is so scarce, to know of its whereabouts is of great ad­ vantage. This name also applies to present day Hidewood Creek in Deuel County, South Dakota. MDE CAN NA-HMA-DAN is the source lake. Present day Chanarambie Creek, Murray County, Miinnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet CAN NON-PA MDE ( 1) wood (2) two (3) lake. Located in Deuel

County, South Dakota. The “Two Woods” and the lakes which surround them are inhabited by a sub-tribe of SI-SI-TONS named Tl ZA-PTAN NA (1) lodge (2) five (3) suffix diminutive , that is to say, those that form but five lodges, a small number.

It has been a long time since they left the main body and are composed now of fifty lodges divided into two villages. The two chiefs are brothers: l-TE WA-KIN-YAN, “Thunder Face,” much feared by the whites who call him “Limping Devil,” and KI-NI-HAN-PI, “The-One-Who-is-Respected.”—Jos. N. Nicollet CAN O IN-KPA W A-KPA (1) wood (2) the e nd (3) river. “La Riviere du Bout du Bois.” Present day Black Cat Creek, Kossuth Co., Iowa.—Jos. Nicollet

CAN O-TI DAN (1) wood (2) to d w e ll (3) d im in u tive. “A

malevolent woodsprite who dwells in hollow trees or stumps. His power extends into the sky for an infinite distance in the form of an enchanted shaft the size of the opening in which he dwells. When wild fowl fly over, they are stricken dead and fall into the Tree Dweller’s den. Even the Thunderbirds fear and avoid him. He causes hunters to lose their way and deprives them of game, sometime even taking a life. Usually appearing as a child or a small man with a tail, he has the ability to change into an owl or some animal form. Only the smoke of the pipe or the potency of the Four Winds can defeat his pur­ pose. Should, however, he appear in a vision and can be secured by the dreamer as a spirit-helper, the supplicant can, through proper ceremony, enlist his aid for luck in hunting and ability to prophesy, and even effect certain cures.”—James H. Howard The long wavy instrument in his hand is a curved gun by which he can shoot around corners.

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CAN-O-TI-DAN O-HAN (1) woodsprite (2) to boil. CAN-O-TI’s workshop, located alongside the river at Granite Falls.—Alex Ross, Granite Falls CAN-O-TI-DAN TI O-SKA-TA (1) woodsprite (2) abode (3) to play. CAN-O-TI’s playhouse. Present day Granite Falls,

Miinnesota.—Alex Ross CAN-O-WAN NA-SA PI (1) forest, from CAN-O-WAN-CA-YA, wood all over, a forest (2) to hunt buffalo, to surround and kill (3) plural suffix. The present day Buffalo Lakes west of Sisseton,

South Dakota. Years ago a herd of buffalo driven by a four day blizzard drifted into the heavy timber of these lakes and a great kill was made. Translated as “The-Buffalo-Hunt-in-the-Woods,” or in French, the place “ou ils ont cerne la vache dans le bois.” Two plants hold a great mystery for the Dakota and are highly regarded for their immense value. By pounding their roots, moistening and mixing them together, he who rubs the mix­ ture on his clothing has the power to attract the buffalo and to kill as many as he wants. Few Dakota know them. They pro­ cure them from the Assiniboine to whom they appear to be more familiar and to whom they do not hesitate to give up five or six horses or even their skin lodge. The Dakota call these roots WA-HCA SKA “the-white-blossum,” and the PTE TA WO-TE (1) buffalo cow (2) his or her (3) food —“the buffalo’s food” which is the False Indigo. With this mixture the performer goes on horseback near the buffalo, which are lured by the agreeable scent. The buffalo follow the hunter through a narrow entrance into an enclosure where they are killed The WI-CA-P’E-CA, “the-plant-that-pricks,” is a sharp bearded grass that takes on a black color when ripe. Its top is very prickly, attaching itself easily to whatever rubs it in passing, so that animals no longer roam the prairies without encumbering themselves. The buffalo leave the prairies for refuge in the woods where the hunters find them. This plant is the Stipa Barbata of Michaux, or commonly called, porcu­ pine grass. “The buffalo is extremely destructive of the woods, none but the largest trees are left standing, the bark of which is rub­ bed perfectly smooth, and heaps of wool and hair lie at the

8 foot of the trees.The small wood and brush are entirely de­ stroyed and even the grass is not permitted to grow in these wooded oases.”—Alexander Henry, Fur Trader of the Northwest Company If the buffalo seems destructive, so even is Mother Nature. John McDonnell’s journal of May 18, 1795, when he was de­ scending the Qu’Appelle River in Saskatchewan states, “Observing a good many carcasses of buffaloe in the river and along its banks, I was taken up the whole day counting them, and to my surprise, found I had numbered when we put up at night, 7,360 drowned and mired along the river and in it. It is true, in one or two places, I went on shore and walked from one carcass to the other, where they lay from three to five files deep.” Alexander Henry also states that “upon the break up of ice on the Red River, the vast and astonishing number of drowned buffalo which formed one continuous line in the current for two days and nights—and continued in diminishing number through­ out the month of April. The stench became intolerable.” Though firearms were used in hunting, the old bow and arrow was much preferred in killing buffalo. In fact it was actually pro­ hibited by the Assiniboine. By the time powder was measured and poured, the ball rammed down the barrel, the tube primed and cap and flint adjusted, the Indian could ride 300 yards and discharge 20 arrows. The noise of discharge itself could start the entire herd in motion. CAN PA-KSA MDE (1) wood (2) to break o ff (3) lake. Stump

Lake located between the Chippewa River and Buffalo Slough five miles below Durand, Wisconsin.—Jos. N. Nicollet CAN PE-PE DAN (1) wood (2) prickly, jagged (3) small. “Riviere du Bois Piquant, "and translated as “Prickly Pear River” on early maps.

Its source is found in Murray County, Miinnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet CAN PTA-YA TAN-KA (1) wood (2) groves or bands (3) large. “La Grande Lisiere de Bois”] also called the Great Oasis by Joseph Nicollet, it abounds in beautiful lakes: Crooked, Great Oasis, Rush and Bear. “This grove consisted of over 300 acres. The average depths of these lakes vary from seven to twelve feet. Average breadth of these woods is about a mile and a half and the trees upon it are as magnificent as anything that can

9 be found in the basin of the lower Missouri. This Great Oasis is protected by the surrounding lakes from the fall and spring fires and it is easy to understand the superior development of its growth of timber”—Jos. N. Nicollet. Located in Lowville TP, Murray County, Minnesota. CAN SAN-NI-CA WA-KPA (1) wood (2) on one side (3) river. The name of a small stream beginning near Rosholt entering Lake Traverse about four miles north of Brown’s Valley— “Riviere du Bois d ’un Bord.”—Jos. N. Nicollet CAN SAN-SAN WA-KPA (1) wood (2) white (3) river. Present day James River. This stream had many names: Red Willow River, Maple River, Red Osier River, Willow River, Rlver-WhereThey-Cut-Bows and others. The French halfbreeds called it “Riviere aux Jacques,” meaning James or Halfbreed River. The halfbreeds were always called “Jacques,” and this river be­ came the line of demarcation between them and hostile Indian bands. Also known as the WA-KPA TE-HAN SAN-SAN (1) river (2) long (3) whitish. The white in this case refers either to the limestones along its shore or to the whitish bark of the cottonwood. CAN SA-SA O KA-KSA (1) wood (2) red (3) to cut off with an ax or by striking. “Where-They-Cut-the-Redwood” or tobacco. A small lake on the left bank of the Little Cottonwood. Exact loca­ tion not known but quite possibly School Lake some six miles southwest of New Ulm.—Jos. N. Nicollet

CAN SA-SA WA-KPA-DAN (1) wood (2) red (3) creek. This stream flows into the Minnesota River immediately above the Yellow Medicine, same side.—Jos. N. Nicollet CAN SA-SA YAN-KA-DAN (1) wood (2) red (3) having refer­ ence to a small place. “Where-There-is-Redwood” (tobacco), a tributary to the Big Sioux, and present day Stray Horse Creek.—Jos. N. Nicollet

CAN SA-YA PI WA-KPA (1) wood (2) to paint red (3) plural suf­ fix (4) river. The Redwood River. This refers to a former oak tree so painted for offerings and prayers. It was located on the edge of the rock bluff near the west end of the bridge at Redwood Falls and was repainted yearly. This tree is regarded as a memorial of a battle between Dakotas and Cheyennes about 1775.—Warren Upham; Beltrami

10 CAN SDA CI-KA-DAN (1) wood (2) bald, bare (3) a little, ve ry sm all. This is the name of the country about Fort Ridgely, some of the bluffs there being slightly bare of wood, most above being naked and most of them below being wooded.—Samuel Pond

CAN SE-CA MDE-DAN (1) wood (2) dry, dead, rotten (3) a small lake. Source of the WA-TON-WAN River and the old portage

into the Des Moines River of not much more than a mile. Present day Fish Lake, Jackson County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet CAN SE-CA O-ZU (1) wood (2) dry, dead (3) grove. Drywood

Lakes on the Coteau des Prairies are fourteen miles west of Brown’s Valley. A scouting station was estabished here in 1865 with I SA KI-YA as chief scout. (1) mouth (2) red (3) to cause, to cause to do. Translated as Red Mouth.—Samuel J. Brown CAN SE-CA WA-KPA (1) wood (2) dry (3) river. The present day

Red Cedar River which begins a bit north of Austin, Minnesota. Known to the French as “Riviere aux Cedres Rouges’ also Bois Sec (dry wood). Its source lake is SIN-KPE O-KU-WA. “LakeWhere-They-Hunt-the-Muskrat”.—Jos. N. Nicollet CAN-SU-SKA WA-KPA-DAN (1) box elder (2) creek. A tribu­ tary of the Sheyenne. It is interesting to note the French trans­ lated this as Riviere aux Erables, (Maple River). The box elder, a specie of maple, is actually tapped for sugar. Also known as TA-SKA-DAN. It is here the l-HANK-TONS who lived on the lower reaches of the James near the Missouri had to come for their sugar. The Dakota name for sugar is CAN HAN-PI, tree juice. Sugar was also available on the Big Sioux and Vermillion Rivers from the soft maple called TA-HDO-HU. Box Elder Creek is also the name of the present day north fork of the WA-TON-WAN River; and also Elm Creek, Martin County, which flows eastward into the Blue Earth.—Jos. N. Nicollet CAN TAN-KA (1) wood (2) big, large. Said to be the largest

body of wood on the Big Sioux. These woods are about eight or ten miles long and one quarter of a mile wide. The river divides this small wood into two parts. Located on the lower part of the river below the big bend south of present day Sioux Falls, South Dakota. (See CAN KA-SDE-CA)

11 CAN TO-NA-NA HDE-HDE (1) wood (2) few (3) scattered. “Ou its y ’a un peu de b ois.” This is possibly the north branch of

present day Badger Creek west of the city of Blue Earth. Badger Creek itself was known as l-CI-KTE YAN-KA, “ThePlace-Where-the-Man-Killed-Himself.”—Jos. N. Nicollet CAN WAN-ZI-DAN MDE (1) tree (2) one (3) lake. Present day

Lone Tree Lake, Brown County. CAN WA-TA KA-GA-PI WA-KPA (1) wood (2) boat, canoe (3) to make (4) river. The location is not exactly known but is somewhere between the mouths of the Iowa and Des Moines Rivers as it emptied into the Mississippi.—Jos. N. Nicollet

CAN-ZI MDE (1) sumac (2) lake. Present day Bitter Lake on the Coteau des Prairies.—Jos. N. Nicollet CA-PA WA-KPA-DAN (1) beaver (2) creek. A small stream that enters the Minnesota River from the left bank opposite the mouth of the Redwood River.—Jos. N. Nicollet CAP KILIOU (1) cape or point (2) French-Canadian patois for eagle. The golden eagle or war eagle was captured with the bare hands through the pit method so as not to damage the bird’s abilities to serve as a special messenger to the Great Spirit. Located on the Mississippi River bluff, Buffalo County, Wisconsin. (See WAN-MDI WA-KPA-DAN)—Jos. N. Nicollet

CASSE FUSILS (Fr.) “Broken Guns,” hence the name of one of the Black River mouths as it debouched into the Mississippi River flood plain. The first time guns were given to the Dakota by the English, much jealousy was aroused among those who did not receive them. One such group attacked a smaller party who had the weapons and broke all of their muskets. CE-DI MDE (1) reeds (2) lake. Located at the end of the east

branch of Sparrow-Hawk Creek (CE-TAN-BE WA-KPA-DAN) in Kandiyohi County. CE-DI MDE HAN-SKA (1) reeds (2) lake (3) long. Long Lake of the Reeds, or as the French would say, Lac Long des Roseaux. Present day Rice Lake, Faribault County.—-Jos. N. Nicollet CE-DI O-ZU (1) reed-like grass (2) where they are planted or where they grow. Present day Rush Lake southeast of Waubay, South Dakota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

12 CE-GA l-YE-YA-PI (1) kettle (2) to find. The Two Kettles or O-HAN, to boil, plus NON-PA, two, a subdivision of the TI-TONWAN who lived upon the Coteau. One hard winter they were

nearing starvation when two kettles of corn were found at this lake. Their lives were preserved until the weather moderated. This is also the name of nearby Fort Sisseton.—Jos. N. Nicollet It is known that the Two Kettles were the friendliest of the Titon tribes often managing to maintain amicable relations not only with other tribes but the whites as well. They seldom went to war in any direction, and were excellent traders and beaver trappers. CE-TAN BE WA-KPA-DAN (1) sparrow -haw k (2) to hatch (3) creek (both forks) Known to the French as “Riviere aux Eperviers” (hawks); also as “L ’eau de Vie.” A tributary of the

Minnesota River, Renville County.—Jos. N. Nicollet CE-TAN KA-GA-PI (1) hawk (2) to make. “Where-They-Madethe-Flawks.” The original name remains unknown, though probably so-called. Located in Scott County, Spring Lake TP, Sec. 2, it is of very ancient origin—probably 1500 to 1700 years old. These five effigy mounds are a rarity in the state as they were found in only four other counties in southeastern Minnesota. The dimensions were as­ tonishing as the wings in one effigy exceeded 155 feet from tip to tip. The body measured 52 feet by 18 feet, and the head 18 feet by 5 feet.—Newton H.Winchell, The A b o ­ rigines of Minnesota

This Woodland Culture and its substage called the Effigy Mound Com­ plex existed after AdenaHopewell. Its date of origin was probably AD 300 and its eventual disappearance was about 1640. Covering southern Wisconsin, eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois, it was characterized by well modeled ani­ mals, birds and reptiles. Most had comparable dimensions to the

13

Prior Lake site. However, some were enormous. One bird had a wingspread of 624 feet; a panther was 575 feet long. Inter­ spersed were the ubiquitous conical and linear mounds. CIN-KPA O-WO-ZU (1) [CAN plus IN-KPA] buds\ a twig, the top o f a tree (2) to plant. Present day Roy Lake derived from a French-lndian named ROI (King) who had located there and planted crops.— Historical Stories of Northeastern South Da­ kota by H.S. Morris

CO-KAN HAN-SKA (1) a low bottom where there are lakes a nd m arshes (2) long. Located on the right bank of the

Minnesota River beginning at present day Savage and extending alongside the river to the foot of Pilot Knob. Called Black Dog Lake by the whites in memory of the old chief.—Frederick W. Pearsall. This name apparently applied also to present day Long Meadow Lake on the north side of the river below Fort Snelling. (See SUN-KA SA-PA) CO-KAN TAN-KA (1) a low bottom where there are lakes and marshes (2) large, great in any way. This area was known to the French as “Le Grand M arais” and later given the elegant name of Pig’s Eye Lake. (Oeil de Cochon!)—Jos. N. Nicollet (See IROQUOIS)

ESSIBANIPASSADINANG (Ojibwa) (1) Coon Valley. Located in present day Coon Valley, Wisconsin, ten miles southeast of LaCrosse on the Mississippi. This was the southern-most ex­ tension of the Ojibwas.—Jos. A. Gilfillan GAGAGIWIGWUNI SAGAIIGUN (Ojibwa) (1) Raven Feather Lake.

Present day Lake Koronis, Stearns County, Minnesota.—Jos. A. Gilfillan G A -O SSISSIGO BIM IJIKA ZIBI (Ojibwa) (1) Willow River.

Present day Willow River in Wisconsin which enters the St. Croix near Hudson.—Jos. A. Gilfillan GA-WAKUMIG SAGAIIGUN (Ojibwa) Clearwater Lake lo­ cated in Wright and Stearn Counties. From there south it was Dakota country. In addition, the name applies not only to the river issuing forth, but also to the present day Eau Claire River which enters the Chippewa at Eau Claire, Wisconsin.—Jos. N. Nicollet

14 GEGOSHUGAHMOTE (Ojibwa) “Places-Where-the-Fish-Come.”

“There are several places of deep water, generally below sand­ bars, known to the Indian as places where the fish come. Lake Pepin; the foot of Beefslough; Trempealeau Mountain Lake, and the deep water at Prairie du Chien. Here the fish rest as they stay in deep water until the spawning season.”—L.H. Bunnell, M.D. Lake St. Croix on the Minnesota/Wisconsin border was so named. Also known as GIGOAGOMAD, referring to a well known Dakota/Ojibwa legend of an Indian who had turned into a big fish. (See HO-GAN O-WAN-KA KIN) SA G A IIG U N (Ojibwa) (1 ) b ig /little (2) lake. “Big/Little Lake.” Present day Coon Lake, Anoka

G IT C H I/JO U A N

County.—Jos. A. Gilfillan HA-HA MDO-TE (1) water falls. In this context, the HA-HA WA-

KPA, the Mississippi (2) the mouth or junction o f two rivers. A name commonly applied to Fort Snelling. Also referred to as CON-KA-SKE, a fence, an enclosure; a fort. This fort was known to the Winnebago as MA-NE-CHOO HO-ROSS-RA—“Blue-Clayfor-Making-Pots.”—Frances Perry, Black River Falls, Wisconsin. HA-HA TON-WAN WA-KPA (1) falls (2) dwellers (3) river. The present day Chippewa River whose name originally had refer­ ence to “Those-Who-Make-Their-Home-at-the-Falls,” Sault Ste. Marie (pronounced “so” en Francais!), the outlet of Lake Superior. HA-HA TON-WAN is the tribal designation of the Ojibwas (Chippewas) given them by the Dakotas as these falls (more properly rapids) were their traditional home during the 17th century. Another not so complimentary epithet was l-SO-KSO-KA-PI-DAN, the “Little Thick-Lipped Ones.” The Winnebago called this river DA-GOT-CHEE-NE-SHANA-GAH, “River-of-the-Gartered-People” because the Ojibwas wore a fringed and beaded garter peculiar to their tribe.—L. H. Bunnell, M.D. Though the Winnebago are culturally akin to the Ojibwas, they speak a Siouan dialect. The HA-HA-TON-WAN was the road to war for both Red Wing’s and Wapasha’s warriors. This was also their hunting ground which extended up and included the Red Cedar River. While the Dakota and Ojibwa remained on the warpath, the Sac, Fox and Winnebagoes in the upper regions of the Wisconsin,

15

Chippewa and St. Croix rivers were eventually driven away. Neutral Menomonies were allowed to hunt this river system by the 1780’s since both the Dakotas and Ojibwas were in constant warfare. This applied to many of the frontier rivers such as the Crow, the Rum and Sauk for a period of over forty years. HA-HA WA-KPA (1) to laugh, to bubble, to curl, waterfalls (2) river. Literally, “River-of-the-Falls.” The name Mississippi is of Ojibwa origin from Missi, meaning great, being akin to the more modern Kitchi or Gitchi plus Zibi meaning—the “Great River.” To them, the Mississippi only becomes so below the junction of Leech Lake River, not Itasca as designated by the whites. Lake Itasca was the OMUSHKOZO SAGAIIGAN, “Elk Lake,” and the stream running out, the OMUSHKOZO ZIBI, “Elk River.” “Rivers follow the general rule of taking the name of their immediate source lake. When reaching Lake Bemidji, Cass, and Winnibigoshish, this stream changed its name three more times and not until the outlet of Leech Lake is reached does it become the Mississippi.”—Jos. A.Gilfillan In 1817 Stephen Long made an enthusiastic observation, “The Mississippi above the St. Croix is entirely colorless and free from anything that would render it impure either to taste or sight. It has a greenish appearance occassioned by reflections from the bottom but when taken into a vessel is perfectly clear.” The Dakotas also called it both the TAN-CAN WA-KPA (1)the body or principal part of anything (2) river; and the WA-KPA TAN-KA (1) river (2) large.

HA-HA WA-KPA-DAN (1) to laugh, bubble and curl—the gen­ eral term for a waterfalls (2) creek. This creek was so named because of its proximity to St. Anthony Falls. The French called it “ Petite Riviere des Chutes." Present day Bassett’s Creek—Jos. N. Nicollet

HAN-TE NA-ZIN (1) cedar (2) to stand, to rise up. “The-StandingCedars.” Located on a southeast curve in the St. Croix River about a half mile southwest from the northeast corner of Washington County, it marked the boundary between the Ojibwas and the Dakotas. It was named for an old cedar stand­ ing on a high bluff, also with cedars that lined the banks of the stream at this turn in its course.—Jos. N. Nicollet

16 HAN-TE SA WI-TA (1) cedar (2) red (3) island. Present day Cedar Lake in McCloud and Meeker Counties.—Jos, N. Nicollet HAN-TE-SA YU-KAN (1) red cedar (2) to be, there is. The red cedar is scarce throughout this region and none perhaps are to be seen except in the islands of lakes denominated by the Indians under the name of Red Cedar Lakes. Present day Cedar Lake, Cedar TP, Martin County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet HDO-HDO-DO-WAN (1) to sing a grunting song, to sing for, as for the death of an enemy. This they do when going to war against their enemies. Present day Carver Creek. The “riviere ou i'on chante la guerre. ”

According to Frances Densmore, a song of the Dakota be­ fore the departure of a war party reflects the calm and dignity of that tribe. By it the old warrior would inspire and steady the young men going on their first expedition:

0 Friends The many lands you fear, In them without fear I have walked, The black face paint I seek. 0 “Music is a source of pleasure to the Indians, and skill according to their standards is appreciated and honored, but music to them, in its highest sense, is connected with power and with communication with the mysterious forces that control all human life. Songs in the old days were believed to come from a supernatural source. In that, even more than in the sound of the singing, lies the real difference between the music of the Indians and that of the whites.” “Music was never performed in order to win applause. Songs were sung to bring rain, for abundance or to call animals that the people needed food. To cure the sick, to make successful warriors. He did not sing about himself or his feelings. Though he did have his love songs, those of the whites were never used. Songs contain few words and usually in the middle of the melody. They never sing with expression.”—Frances Densmore

17

The following translation by Densmore represents the Dakota’s nearest approach to a love song:

0 Go thou forth with the warriors Go thou forth to war Go thou forth with the warriors, When I hear the crier shout your name with the victors, Then, ah then, I will marry you. I will stay in the village I will sit with the women All day making moccasins, Listening always for the signal cry that the warriors come, Then, ah then, I will marry you. 0 HE CAN-O-TI-DAN (1) high hill (2) Tree Dweller. Located in Clay County, South Dakota, Sec. 14, T-93, R52 running north and south for 1,000 feet and 350 feet wide near the mouth of the Vermillion River. HE-CA O-TI (1) the buzzard (2) to dwell. Called the Buzzard’s

Nest. Located on a high hill in the Jame’s River watershed be­ tween Andover and Bristol, South Dakota. “Butte L ’habitation des Oiseaux Puants. "The buzzard is a weather forecaster. Once it arrives it is usually the end of cold and snow.—Jos. N. Nicollet HE HA-KA HNA-KA WA-KPA-DAN (1) horn (2) many prongs [the male elk] (3) to bury (4) a small stream. Present day Credit River or “La Riviere au Credit” of the French in Scott County. The

de L’isle map of 1702 shows the bluff where this stream en­ ters the Minnesota Valley as “Pointe au Cerf” or Stag Point. The Elk was the name of a Dakota medicine man of some importance who was “buried” on a scaffold adjacent to this small stream. The Elk Dreamer got his power from this animal who was the patron of sexual relations and was noted for strength and bravery and his concern for the weak and helpless. The Dreamer possessed a certain power and influence over women, and was also good at treating their diseases. His love potions and

18 charms were especially powerful and sought after. Many were good musicians who played the haunting love songs of the flute. The bull elk was considered an effective helper in love as the Indian was much impressed by the elk’s ability to call females. (See POINTE AU CERF)

19

HE-HA-KA (elk), TA (his), PE-ZU TA (medicine), “the elk’s medicine” is a little flower of blue and purple petals—the horse mint. The leaves are chewed and applied to wounds with fast healing results. It is also used as a tea known as “ beaume ” by the French.—Jos. N. Nicollet HE-HA-KA NI-TE (1 )e lk (2) rump. Located on the Willow River, a tributary of the St. Croix, near which the border of the Dakota and Ojibwa ran. This descriptive name was ap­ parently due to a combination of river bend and curving flank of a hill.—Jos. N. Nicollet HE HDO-KA (1) a high hill (2) a hole. This applies to a deep valley in the west part of Lake Benton TP, Lincoln County, which is translated “Hole-in-the-Mountain.” At three other places—eleven, fourteen, and eighteen miles northwest from Lake Benton—similar channels or deep valleys are apparent. The French call the former “Le Coteau Perce” and the adjacent lake, "Lac du Coteau Perce. "The Dakota name for Lake Benton is not known though probably HE HDO-KA MDE, “Hole-in-the Mountain-Lake.”—Jos. N. Nicollet It is perhaps here, circa 1660, that the Suhtais’ (Sheyenne) great medicine dance was to be performed (where it was granted by the supernaturals) located in the Timber Mountains of southwestern Minnesota north of the Pipestone Quarries (Powell 1969, 2:469) HE HDO-KA SUN-KA-KU (1) a high hill (2) hole (3) younger b ro th e r (re la te d in a p p e a ra n c e ). This valley extends southwest from Lake Hendricks and is translated as “Brother-of-the-Hole-in-the-Mountain” or “Le Frere du Coteau Perce.”—Jos. N. Nicollet

HE l-PA (1) a high hill or mountain (2) a promontory, a point. This was commonly known as the head of the Coteau des Prairies or “Tete du Coteau.”— Jos. N. Nicollet HE-I-PA KSI-KSAN (1) the commencement of a range o f hills (2) crooked. “Le Petit Coteau Croche. ” Located near Vernon Center, Blue Earth County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

HE I-TA-ZI BA-KSA (1) butte or hill (2) a bow (3) to cut o ff with an ax or by striking, also spelled KA-KSA. The “butte ou ils

20

coupent les arcs. ” “Where-They-Cut-Bows.” Oak and iron wood. Present day Jamestown, North Dakota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

HE MI-NI CAN KA-HMIN (1) hill (2) water (3) wood (4) a bay. The inlet or bay at the present day marina immediately above the city of Red Wing.—Frances Densmore HE MNI CAN (1) hill (2) water (3) wood. The name of today’s

Barn Bluff, known as La Grange by the French because of its barn-like shape. This was also the name of Red Wing’s village. The other village on the lower Cannon was known as the IN-YAN BO-SDA-TA O-TON-WE, “Village-of-the-StandingRock.”—Jos. N. Nicollet, October 1, 1839 HE-M NI-CAN l-TA-KA-SAM WI-TA (1 ) h ill-w a te r-w o o d (2) across the river or lake, opposite (3) an island. The large is­ land in the Mississippi opposite Red Wing.—Frances Densmore

HE-MNI-CAN SUN-KA-KU (1) hill-w ater-w ood (2) younger b ro th e r (re la te d in a p p e a ra n c e ). The bluff immediately

downstream from Barn Bluff because of its relative position and appearance.—Irving Campbell, Prairie Island HE-MNI-CAN WA-KPA-DAN (1) hill-w ater-w ood (2) creek.

Present day Hay Creek in Red Wing.—Jos. N. Nicollet HE TO-PA KTE (1) horn (2) four (3) to kill. “Where-the-Four-

Horns-Was-Killed.” Located east of Gray Cloud Island on the adjacent prairie. Possibly a reference to UN-KTE-HI, a monster of the lakes and streams—the god of the waters and of the underworld.—Jos. N. Nicollet HE WA-KAN (1 ) a h ig h h ill (2) s a c re d . Also known as

l-A-PI (to talk) PA-HA (hill). Present day Big Tom Hill, Grant County, South Dakota. Rising on the South Dakota/Minnesota line six miles south of Big Stone Lake, it bears a name of very uncertain origin. Some say that an Indian by the name of Tom is buried there. Some say it was named after an old chief. There were formerly Indian boulder mosaics upon it and it is believed to have been used as a signal hill. General Sibley and his men once camped on it. Also known as Spirit Mountain, Turtle Mountain, Mount Tom, and Spirit Hill. HE WA-STE ( 1) hill (2) pretty. Located opposite the mouth of the Eau Galle along the Chippewa River. “Les Jolies Buttes. ”—Jos. N. Nicollet

21 HE WA-STE WA-KPA (1) hill (2) pretty (3) river. “River-of-the-

Pretty-Bluffs” or “Riviere auxJolie Buttes. "The present day Eau Galle in Wisconsin. Its orthography is interesting though con­ fusing. Joseph Nicollet spells it Eau Galet—pebbly or gravelly waters. The modern spelling refers to bitter gall. Also, Gaul refers to a Frenchman of old Gaul. Then there is the O’Galla River Mill of pioneer days that further muddies the water.—Jos. N. Nicollet HE-YA-KA CO-KA (YA) O-WAN-KA (1) a hill or rock setting apart (2) middle (3) to lie. “La montagne qui se trempe a I’eau. " Pre­ sent day Trempealeau Mountain. The Winnebago name is HAY-NEE-A-JAH, the “Soaking Mountain.” Another Dakota name for this mountain is MI-NI CAN KA-SKA (1) water (2) can (wood), plus KA-SKA (to tie, to bind, to enclose, to fortify). In this context, a place enclosed by water.—Jos. N. Nicollet, October 5, 1839 An entertaining legend recounts a near altercation between members of the village of HE-MNI-CAN. In reproach, the Great Spirit split Barn Bluff in two. Wapasha and his band together with half the mountain were transported forty miles down­ stream to the Winona prairie. A large portion of the cedarcrowned heights was modeled into a beautiful hat called WA-PA-HA-SA, the red hat, or WA-PA-HA-SA’S hat. The re­ mainder of the bluff was found at Trempealeau, called PA-HA HDA, (1) hill (2) HDA [from YU-HDA, to untwist, unroll, uncoil, stretch out]—“The Moved Mountain.” The residue is at nearby Rattlesnake Hills or MA-YA SIN-TE-HDA (1) a steep bank (2) the tail rattler or rattle snake, where the ancestral bones originally buried at Barn Bluff are guarded by snakes. No snakes are ever killed on the bluffs. The Winnebagoes call these bluffs WAH-KON-NE-SHAN-IGAH, “Sacred Snakebluffs on the River.” WAH-KON means the snakes are sacred because they escape death by shed­ ding their skin, thereby becoming immortal, and, therefore, sacred.—Frances Perry, Black River Falls, Wisconsin

HE-YA-KA WA-KPA (1) a hill setting apart (2) river. Present day Trempealeau River. According to Sibley, in Minnesota History, 1949, Vol. 30, “two bison were killed by a Dakota on this river in 1832, the last specimen which trod or ever will again

22

trod the soil east of the Mississippi.” The Winnebago call this river: NE-CHANN-NE-SHAN-A-GAH—“The-OverflowingStream.”—L.H. Bunnell, M.D. HE-YA-TA O-TON-WE (1) back from the river (2) village. MA-

HPI-YA WI-CA-STA (1) cloud (2) man. This was Cloudman’s vil­ lage on Lake Calhoun as this was the only one away from the Minnesota or Mississippi Rivers. It was also known as TE-A-KAPE (roof) O-TON-WE (village). That is, “Village-Whose-HousesHave-Roofs.” Chief Cloudman was one of the first of his people to learn to plow. After surviving a three day Dakota blizzard while hunting buffalo, he decided the future of the tribe lay in agriculture.—Samuel W. Pond HE-YO-KA (1) the anti-natural god (the drawing by White Deer, a Dakota warrior who lived near Fort Snelling). This deity is a paradox. He calls bitter, sweet, and sweet, bitter; he groans when he is full of joy and laughs when in distress; he calls black, white, and white, black; when he wishes to tell the truth he tells a lie, and to lie he tells the truth. To some men fall the obligation of becoming Heyoka. Should the Thunder Beings of the West, WA-KIN-YAN, want to put their power on earth among the peo­ ple, they send a dream to a man, a vision about thunder and lightning. Anyone choosing to ignore the message would surely become its victim. They are expected to act in an anti-natural way, to bring laughter and happiness by their ridiculous antics, to make people forget their own worries and oppressions, and thereby make it easier for the benevolent spirits to come to them—to rejuvenate them for a new beginning.— Lame Deer Seeker of Visions, John Fire/Lame Deer and Richard Erdoes The Thunder Being may appear to mankind in the form of a giant. He is then the god, Heyoka. “Iron Members, a Dakota chief, was going hunting and when he was near Shakopee’s village, he met the giant, HE-YO-KA. Heyoka wore a three cor­ nered hat and one side was as bright as the sun, so bright one could not look upon it, and he had a crooked thing upon his shoulder. Iron Members was on a hill near which was a deep ravine, but, not withstanding his position, Heyoka’s head reached the top of the trees. The giant was going northward and did not notice the Indian or stop. Iron Members watched the gi­ ant, and as he went forward the trees and bushes seemed to

23 make way for him.”—Charles Eastman. The little hills of the prairies are called HE-YO-KA Tl, Heyoka’s dwelling places, and are under his guardianship. HE-YO-KA Tl (1) The anti-natural god (2) abode. The-House-of-

Heyoka, the name of a conical hill some ten miles or so above the mouth of the Chippewa River (Chippewa County, Minn.) with its junction with the Minnesota River. This elevation appears at some distance to the right of the road as one comes from Black Oak Lake to Lac qui Parle. HIN-HAN-KA-GA O-TA (1) an owl (2) much, many. Owl Lake

near Enemy Swim on the Coteau. 0

Very much do I fear That the owl I may hear When I sit all alone in the wigwam, Very much do I fear That the owl I may hear in the dark 0 Written by a little boy—submitted by Frances Densmore HIN-TA HAN-KPAN WO-ZU (1) basswood (2) moccasin strings (3) to sow, to plant. “Where-the-Basswood-Moccasin-ThongBand-Plant-Their-Gardens.” The site is located two miles west of Wood Lake, Yellow Medicine County on a now extinct lake. “A young man of the TI-ZA-PTAN-NA or Five Lodge Band of SI-SI-TONS went to visit another group of Dakotas, much the same as it is done today. There might be a relative or a friend the individual wishes to visit over an extended period of time. “During this visit, the young man fell in love with a girl of his host’s band. Whatever the reason, he decided not to follow the Dakota custom of purchasing his bride from her father or work­ ing for his father-in-law for a length of time; the lovers eloped. “The TI-ZA-PTAN-NA headed straight for his band’s usual camping place, stopping many times at night before he reached his destination. At one camp his bride misplaced one moccasin thong and having nothing to use in its place, removed a small strip of basswood tree bark and by pounding produced from

24 her labor a fiberous material much the same as hemp twine. This she used to tie her moccasin on. “Arriving at the TI-ZA-PTAN-NA camp, he and his bride were welcomed by his parents and other friends and relatives. The Indian, being a keen observer, noticed the basswood moc­ casin thong and joking to themselves as to the cause of the loss of conjugal time with her husband, they enjoyed the occasion for amusement. “In time this man and his wife acquired a following and de­ parted from this band, forming a new group. The TI-ZA-PTANNA called this new band HIN-TA HAN-KPAN TI-YO-SPA-YE (1) basswood (2) moccasin strings (3) a band, a lodge group,

or Basswood Moccasin Thong Band. “Several families at Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, trace their ancestry to this group. The last chief was named ‘Left-Handed Bear’—MA-TO CA-TKA (1) bear (2) left-handed. Left-Handed Bear’s brother, WI-YO-KI-YA, or ‘Courting a Woman,’ froze to death in a snow storm. WI-YO-KI-YA signed the treaty of 1851. However, his name is translated The Standard’ in Kapplar’s Treaty Book. “The Devil’s Lake Dakota tribal members who consider them­ selves descendants of the WA-HPE-TON band are Left-handed Bear, Courts-a-Woman, Iron Hawks, and the Thompson families. “Notice the name of the leader of the band was called ‘Courting-a-Woman.’ Is he the young man in the story? Notice too, the families at Devil’s Lake consider themselves WA-HPETONS. Was this the woman’s tribe?”—As told by Louie Garcia, Tokio, North Dakota “Young women, when first married, were usually for a consid­ erable time, frequently for years, under the protection of their parents, brothers, and sisters, and the husband was perhaps as much in danger of being abused by them as was the wife by him.”—Samuel W. Pond, Presbyterian Church HMA-HU WI-TA (1) black walnut tree (2) island (a grove in the prairies). Located on present day Plum Creek at the town of

Walnut Grove, Redwood County. Consisting of about 100 acres, it was the northern limit of this species. Also the name of pre­ sent day Fox Lake, Martin County.—Jos. N. Nicollet

25

HMA-HU YAN-KA-DAN (1) black walnut tree (2) having refer­ ence to a place. Present day Loon Lake north of Spirit Lake, Jackson County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet HOCANGARA (Winnebago) “The-Big-Fish-People.” These are the Winnebago, better known as the Puans, “The Stinkers,” though the latter name probably refers to the waters from whence they came. The name Winnebago was given them by the Algonquins. It signifies stinking or filthy water as it was said they had lived near a stagnant swamp or salt water. Traditional tales tell of an origin at Red Banks, Green Bay, Wisconsin. Others say they came from the east in the second Siouan migration westward. First were the Mandans, Flidasta and Crow. The second were the Iowa, Oto, Missouri, Winnebago; and thirdly, the Omahas, Ponca, Osage, Kansa, Quapa; and the fourth, the Dakota and Assiniboine. Although the Winnebago were possibly the parent tribe in the second migration, they chose to remain in Wisconsin while the others moved westward across the Mississippi. Surrounded by Algonquin tribes such as the Menomonies, Sac, Fox and Ojibwas, they assumed their cul­ tural ways rather than those of their Siouan kindred. “Origins of these Siouan speakers is not known. Amongst the Shawnee, Illinois and Miami of the Ohio Valley early tradi­ tion states that groups of these Siouan people were in the area or passed through in movements to the west—from the Southeast.”—Spencer/Jennings, 1977 Warlike, they were continually embattled with all the sur­ rounding tribes except the Menomonies. In the early 1600’s, the Illinois nearly managed to exterminate them. The French, forced to abandon Fort Beauharnois on Lake Pepin due to continued Fox attack, allied themselves with the Winnebago, Ottawa, and Menomonies in quelling opposition on the Mississippi.

HO-GAN O-WAN-KA KIN (1) fish, the generic name (2) to lie in a place (3) the. The name of St. Croix Lake. (The Ojibwa name is GEGOSHUGAHMOTE—“The-Place-Where-the-Fish-Come.”) According to legend, two Dakota warriors were traveling along the shores of this lake. Because they were near enemy country, they did not want to shoot anything although they were in need of food. One of them managed to catch a fish; however, since the

HO-GAN O-WAN-KA KSN

27 pike was the emblem of his band, he did not eat it. Hunger, how­ ever, forced him to break his vow. After the meal, thirst became paramount. He called for water until the strength of his compan­ ion failed and was told to lie down by the lake and drink his fill. Complying with the advice, he drank and drank till at last he cried to his friend, “Come look at me!” The sight caused his comrade to withdraw in fear for he was fast turning into a fish. At length, he stretched himself across the lake to form what is now known as Pike Bar. To this day, Hudson, Wisconsin is known as TA-MA-HE or “Place-of-the-Pike.” The name St. Croix is a personal name—that of a trader named in LaHarp’s MSS of LeSueur’s third voyage, who had been shipwrecked at its mouth. Further, Hennepin names (Mr.) Ste. Croix as one of six men who had deserted LaSalle. Hence, the river was so named by LeSueur or his companions about the year 1689. HO-GAN TAN-KA (1)fish, the generic name (2) large. (See HO­ GAN O-WAN-KA KIN). HO-KA BE NA (1) heron (2) to hatch (3) dim inutive suffix.

“Hatching-Place-of-the-Small-Herons.” Present day Heron Lake, Jackson County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet HO-KA BE NA WA-KPA (1) heron (2) to hatch (3) diminutive s u ffix (4) river. The “ Hatching-Place-River-of-the-SmallHerons.”—Jos. N. Nicollet

HO-KA SAN BE (1) heron (2) whitish or yellowish (3) to hatch. Present day Bullhead Lake near Wilmot, South Dakota. This was the first burial place of l-STA HBA, “Sleepy Eye,” a SI-SI-TON chief, who was later reburied at the present day village of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet HO-KSI-DAN NOM WI-CA KTE PI (1) boy or boys (2) a con­ traction o f NON-PA, two (3) a male o f the human species (4) to kill anything (5) plural termination. “Where-the-Two-Boys-Were-

Killed” (by the Sacs).—Jos. N. Nicollet HU-H A-KAIN-YAN-KA WA-KPA (1) a spear for killing muskrats (2) to run, to chase (3) river. The place “ou ils courentaux d ards” or “Where-They-Chase-the-Muskrats.” The present Upper Iowa River. The Huron and Ottawa sought shelter and safety from the

28

pursuing Iroquois in 1656. They were cordially received by the loway whose village at the time was located on this river. Their difficulties with the Dakota began as they attempted to estab­ lish themselves on Prairie Island on the Mississippi (See TIN-TA WI-TA)—Jos. N. Nicollet HU-PA-HU SA (1) wing (2) red—“Red Wing” or “L ’aile Rouge,” also known as TA-TAN-KA MA-NI (1) b u ffa lo b u ll (2) to wa//c—-“Walking Buffalo.” Later in life he was known as SA KlYA (1) red (2) to cause; to paint, translated as the “Man-WhoPaints-Himself-Red.” The first name is a dynastic one, a sign of chieftancy belonging to at least three predecessors. He was born in 1759, probably at TI-TAN-KA TA-NI-NA, “The-AncientLarge-Village” as a member of the extinct MDE TAN-(KA) TON-WAN (1) lake (2) large (3) to dwell—“Dwellers-at-theLarge-Lake”—Mille Lacs. He was a prominent war chief and a highly successful visionary who walked the spirit trail in 1829. They had two villages, one on the lower Cannon River, the other at HE MNI CAN (1) hill (2) water (3) wood. So called be­ cause of the relative position of all three elements. Known as “La Grange” and later as Barn Bluff. His stepson, WA-KU-TE, “Shooter-in-the-Pines,” succeeded him as chief. WA-KU-TE lost leadership of the village in 1832 and with some of his peo­ ple he became affiliated with Wapasha’s band, establishing a village at the “Great Encampment,” a village nearly opposite Buffalo River. In 1836 WA-KU-TE rejoined Red Wing’s village. However, in 1838 he removed to the present day site of Wa­ basha but remained affiliated with the village of Red Wing. The chief at Red Wing was Iron Cloud or MA-HPI-YA MA-ZA (1) the clouds; the sky; the heavens (2) iron, who ousted WAKU-TE in 1832. HU-TA WA-KPA (1) root (2) river. A question arises here as to the correct translation of the Dakota name for root. The Root River was called “Racine” (root) by Pike; “Root River” by Major Long in 1817. It was not until Keating’s narrative of Long’s ex­ pedition in 1823 where similar Dakota words HO-KA and HU-TA were confounded. Hoka is the heron and has no place here. This river was known as CAH-HE-O-MON-AH or Crow River by the Winnebago.

29 HU-TKAN MDE-DAN (1) low lying (2) a small lake. This lake drains into the west branch of the Lac qui Parle River.—Jos. N. Nicollet HU-YA PA (1) the common or gray eagle, smaller than the kiliou (2) head. “When not kept together by the fear of an en­

emy, there was a tendency in the larger bands to separate and form smaller ones; and some of the smaller bands were composed of fugitives from the larger ones. Thus, HU-YA-PA, having murdered a woman at Shakopee, and fearing to remain there, removed to Eagle Creek, where, gathering his relatives and others about him, he finally became a chief.”—Samuel W. Pond. Present day Eagle Creek, Scott County, Minnesota. (See TE-WA-PA) l-CA-HTA-KA (1) to touch. In this context, a place where a river touches or runs near a hill; a place where the prairie comes down to a river or lake. By coincidence of topography, both occur here. The Minnesota River with its sweeping meanders touches the foot of the valley’s north wall while several small prairies above meet the flood plain lakes and river in the valley. This is the ancient name for Bloomington as well as one of several names for Good Road’s village.—Frederick W. Pearsall I CA-PA CA-GA-STA-KA MDE (1) mouth (2) beaver (3) free from ice; beaten, broken (4) lake. Present day Medicine Lake. This place name is not clearly understood, though perhaps it indicates the breaking or clearing of lake ice by the turbulance caused by these rodents. In contrast, Nicollet translates it as “Where-the-Beavers-Strike-Their-Mouths-in-the-Manner-of-anIndian-Warcry.”—Jos. N. Nicollet

l-CI-KTE YAN-KA (1) suicide (2) reference to a place. Probably

Badger Creek, a tributary of the upper Blue Earth, Faribault County. I-MNI-ZA DAN (1) rock, rocks (2) small. “Little Rock,” located on present day Little Rock Creek, Nicollet County. “Riviere du Petit Rocher.” This same stream was known also as PSA MDE WAN-KA KIN WA-KPA (1) a rush or water grass used in making mats (2) lake (3) to lie down (4) the (5) a stream. “The-River-ofthe-Lake-Where-the-Rushes-Lie.”—Jos. N. Nicollet l-MNI-ZA KA-SDE-CA (1) rock (2) to split. “Roches-Rougesentre-Coupe-sur-les-Bords-des-Deux-Riviers.” This has refer­ ence to the sources of the Little Cottonwood and Mound Creek,

30 Cottonwood County, whose banks were cut into the red pipestone strata.—Jos. N. Nicollet l-MNI-ZA SKA DAN (1) rock, rocks (2) white (3) diminutive suf­ fix. “Little-White-Rocks.” This refers to the City of St. Paul, socalled because of the white sandstone cliffs exposed in this area.—Jos.N. Nicollet

l-MNI-ZA Y U -SDE-CA (same as KA-SDE-CA) (1) ro cks (2) to split. Present day Dell Rapids, Big Sioux River, South Dakota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

IN-KPA WA-KPA-DAN (1) the end of anything, the small end; the head or source, as of a stream (2) a creek, a small stream.

“The-River-of-the-End.” That is to say, this river marks the end (or beginning) of the Minnesota River. For the Dakotas, the Minnesota ends at Lac qui Parle where the IN-KPA flows in. From there to its ultimate source, the upper Minnesota River becomes the Ottertail River or ‘‘Riviere Queue de Loutre." The IN-KPA (same as IN-TPA) furnishes an interesting phenomena. A small creek, present day Florida Creek, divorces itself from the parent southern fork to flow into the western one. This is a rarity in the plains, although it does occur occasionally in mountainous country. The IN-KPA is the present day Lac qui Parle River.—Jos. N. Nicollet (See PTAN SIN-TE WA-KPA) IN-YAN BO-SDA-TA (1) rock (2) on end, erect, perpendicular. Called “ Le Grand Gres” by the French. The Cannon River takes its name from this sixty foot sandstone spire—today’s Castle Rock south of Farmington. The Battle of Cannon River was fought between the Ojibwa and Dakota below Faribault on the right bank—on the left of the old trail from Faribault to Fort Snelling. This happened shortly after the “Battle of the Rapids” (See MEGAUDEWINING) below Monticello.—Reverend Woodworth. The present name is a corruption of the French name ‘‘Riviere aux Canots” (canoes) as traders and buffalo hunters often hid their canoes in the swampy mouth of this river. This place name should not be confused with a sacred stone situated atop a circular mound in Ransom County, North Dakota. Four feet high and shaped like an inverted cone, its original name was WIN-YAN l-YO-TAN-KA IN-YAN (1) woman (2) to sit (3) rock. “Sitting-Woman-Rock,” whose name was changed by the

31

U.S. Government. This woman had once been a chiefs daughter who had told a falsehood. When told to stay in the tipi until she learned to tell the truth, she instead walked towards a towering butte. The following morning the villagers discovered she had been turned to stone for her disobedient act. This stone is located at the Standing Rock Agency, Fort Yates, North Dakota. IN-YAN BO-SDA-TA WA-KPA (1) rock (2) on end, erect, per­ pendicular (3) river. “River-of-the-Standing-Rock.” Present day

Cannon River.—Jos. N. Nicollet IN-YAN CE-YA-KA (1) stone (2) a dam or rapids, anything that stops water. The common name of the “Little Rapids” on the Minnesota River near Carver. The sandstone escarpment here represents the remains of ancient waterfalls, a contemporary of St. Anthony Falls. After splitting at Fort Snelling, this mighty cataract eroded its way upstream to end its journey here.—Jos. N. Nicollet

IN-YAN CE-YA-KA O-TON-WE (1) stone (2) a dam, anything that stops water 3 village. These were the WA-HPE TON-WAN (1) leaves (2) to dwell— “ Dwellers-in-the-Leaves,” the name of one of the seven Dakota divisions who lived partly at the Little Rapids near present day Carver, though on the Scott County side. Their chief was MA-ZAO MA-NI (1) iron (2) to walk —“Iron Walker.” “A major migration of three quarters of the WA-HPE-TON-WAN occurred about 1810 under the leadership of Yellow Spider to the shores of Big Stone Lake where they dwelled closely with the SI-SI-TON-WAN. Probably the main reason for the move was the disappearance of the buffalo from the Buffalo, Cannon, Des Moines and Blue Earth Rivers.”—Gary Clayton Anderson, Western Historical Quarterly

IN-YAN HE-YA-KA WA-KPA (1) stone (2) setting apart (3) river. “Riviere de la Montagne Faite avec des Roches. ” Present day Rock River, Rock County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

IN-YAN HMI-HMA (1) stone or stones (2) round, like a wheel. A dark trap boulder which served as an altar stone for the Wapasha band. Sweetgrass and tobacco were presented as offerings. The adjacent creek took the same name. Present day Rollingstone Creek, Winona County, Minnesota.

32 IN-YAN MA-NI (1) a stone, stones (2) to walk. One is located near Cornell, Minnesota; the other near Peever, South Dakota on the old road to Brown’s Valley. IN-YAN MA-ZA SU (1) stone (2) metal o f any kind (3) bullets.

It was said the bluffs about Red Wing were called thusly be­ cause lead pellets were found resembling the white man’s shot.—Frances Densmore IN-YAN SA (1) stone (2) red. Located near present day Newport, Minnesota. Inyan, or, in the sacred language, theTUN-KAN, was one of the superior gods, ancestor of all gods and all things; he was also the advocate of authority and vengeance and the pa­ tron of the arts; construction and destruction. Riggs stated that “the Inyan or Rock is the symbol of the great­ est force of power in the land. These became to be the most common object of worship. Large boulders were selected and adorned with red and green paint. Smaller stones were often found set up on end and properly painted, around which lay eagle feathers, tobacco and red cloth.” The Reverend Horace C. Hovey says, “Usually when such a stone had served its purpose, its sacredness was gone. However, the exception to this rule was IN-YAN SA where pil­ grimages and offerings were made from generation to genera­ tions past. The villagers of Little Crow’s would meet twice a year to paint the stone, trim it with flowers and dance about it before sunrise with chants and prayers.” IN-YAN SA-SA WA-KPA (1) stone (2) re d (3) river. “Riverof-the-Redstone,” the present day Des Moines River. The French usually abbreviated tribal names. They called the Omahas, “ Les Mahas”; the Akansas,” Les Arcs” ] and the Kan­ sas River, “ Des (of the) Arcs.” It is presumed they called the Moinguenas (a sub-tribe of the Illinois), “Les Moines,” and the river they lived on, “Des Moines,” translated as the River of the Moinguenas. An erroneous version of this name was its association with the Trappist monks (Moines de la Trappe) opposite St. Louis. This river was also called Sans Fourche (without a fork) be­ cause of few tributaries. The Omaha name for this river was the MI-KA-TO, “Plenty-of-Racoons.”—Jos. N. Nicollet

33 IN-YAN SA-SA WA-KPA SUN-KA-KU (1) stone (2) red (3) river (4) his or her younger brother, i.e. closely related in appear­ ance. The east branch of the Des Moines River.—Jos. N. Nicollet

IN-YAN TAN-KIN-KIN-YAN (1) stones (2) very large. “Lake-ofthe-big-Stones.” Present day Big Stone Lake. Known also as l-PA-KSAN MDE (I) a bend (2) lake ; and IN-YAN TAN-KA (1) stone (2) large.—Jos. N. Nicollet IN-YAN TI-PI (1) stone (2) tent, habitation. Present day Fountain Cave, located below Fort Snelling on the left bank of the Mississippi. IN-YAN TI-YO-PA (1) stone (2) a door or opening, the place of entrance. Located on the high bluff above Frontenac. Its signif­ icance is unknown.

IN-YAN WI-CA-STA KA-GA-PI (1) stone (2) man, a man (3) to make, to cause to be. “La ou I ’on fait l ’homme de pierre. ”

Located southwest of Lake Wilson, Murray County on the Coteau.—Jos. N. Nicollet IN-YAN YAN-KA WA-KPA (1) stone (2) to be, exist, having ref­ erence to a place (3) river. This is the present day Little Sioux River which flows from Spirit Lake. The French called it “La Petite Riviere des Sioux. Jos. N. Nicollet

IOWA The Iowa (the Dakotas called them, A-YU-HBA, “The Sleepy Ones”) were first reported by Marquette in 1673 as liv­ ing on the Upper Iowa River. This river was a haven for many eastern tribes who often crossed the Mississippi when fortunes of war were poor. As early as 1667, records reveal that members of the Illinois Confederation crossed into Iowa, fleeing the Iroquois. So did the Hurons and Ottawas in 1656. The Miamis took this route across the Mississippi pursued by both the Iroquois and the Illinois in 1674. Attacks by the Sac and Fox forced the Iowa across southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. They fled with their close kindred tribe, the Otos (called WA-TO HTA-TA by the Dakota (1) boat (2) languid, weak, in this context referring to their boats which were not solid being constructed of hides stretched over a willow frame­ work). By 1680, settling in close proximity to one another about Lake Okoboji and the Little Sioux River, their hunting grounds included the Blue Earth River, an area shared with the Dakota.

34

Eventually the Otos crossed the Missouri River and by 1710 had established a village on the River Platte. Mean­ while, the Iowa in their wanderings westward settled at the mouth of the Big Sioux, though by 1757 they were forced out by the l-HANK-TON-WAN (Those-Who-Dwell-at-the-Ends), a division of the Dakota, to a site below Council Bluff. By 1765 they made an about face to the Des Moines and eastern Iowa as increasing pressure by the Omahas and Dakotas forced their return. Here they lived until the 1820’s though they still hunted west­ ward to the Missouri. White encroachment upon their lands caused division and disintegration until they ceded their lands in 1830. “Chemin des Voyageurs. This road began opposite the mouth of the Wisconsin River in a fairly straight manner leading directly to the Iowa village on Lake Okoboji. From there it moved west­ ward to a point a little below the mouth of the Little Sioux and continued indefinitely up the west bank of the Missouri.”— The Iowa Journal

l-PA HAN-SKA (1) a p o in t (2) long. Above the Cottonwood on

the Minnesota River is a narrow isthmus 15 feet wide which runs three quarters of a mile parallel to the river bank. (See MA­ YA KI-CA-KSA) S-PA HMI-HMA (1) p o in t (2) round. A bluff on the Minnesota

River adjacent to Round Prairie, San Francisco TP, Carver County, Minnesota. I-PA HMI-HMA WA-KPA (1) p o in t (2) ro und (3) river. Present

day Bevin’s Creek. The orthography as presented by Featherstonhaugh, an early traveler who was unfamiliar with the Dakota language, was uncertain. The spelling he presents is KEETA INEEINA and possibly representing the Dakota word WI-TA (island) plus l-NI-NA (a place of silence) or O-MNI-NA (a calm place or shelter). Fortunately, Beltrami’s map dated 1835 indicated a KEETAMEEMA accompanied with a translation, “Round Point,” hence l-PA HMI-HMA a bluff immediately up­ stream on the Minnesota River. The French called this small stream the Marchessau after a person whose name is unknown to us today.

35 S-PA-KSAN (1) a bend. This referred to four areas: the big bend of the Des Moines River; Big Stone Lake; the upper portion of the Big Sioux River; and l-PA-KSAN WA-KPA-DAN, present day Fish Creek, Wright County, Minn.—Jos. N. Nicollet IROQUOIS (Creek) The name of a Dakota warrior who lived on this small stream. Two French Canadian trappers—Messrs. Landry and De Coteaux were killed the same day at Le Grand Marais of the Mississippi (CO-KAN TAN-KA) by this warrior. The French were quite familiar from the very beginning with the perfidious nature of this eastern tribe, hence the sobriquet. Ironically, this Mdewakantonwan chief was recommended for a medal by the French fur trader, Joseph Marin, in 1753 for helping enforce the peace between the warring Dakota and Illinois. Present day Purgatory Creek. (See KIBISAGI) l-SAN TAN-KA Tl-Pl (1) knives (2) large (3) habitation. Fort

Ridgeiy near Birch Cooley. U.S. soldiers were called l-san-tanka, “Big Knives.” ISHKODE WABO (Ojibwa) (1) ardent spirits. Present day Rum River. I-STA HBA* (1) the eye, eyes (2) sleepy, drowsy. The name of chief Sleepy Eye, a Sisitonwan. Nicollet wrote in June, 1838, that “the lake has a fine sandy bottom. It was completely white with the foam of the waves, the wind being very strong. Clear water.” The lake was named after the chief by Nicollet but the original Dakota name is unknown. Located in Brown County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet (See HO-KA SAN BE) l-TO-KA-GA (1) g o d o f the South (See WA-ZI-YA) l-YA Chief of all Evil, the second son of the Rock, a malevo­

lent Wakan Tanka, whose followers are Anog Ite (Double Face); Unktehi (god of the Waters and the Underworld); Mini Watu (Water Spirits); Can Oti (Tree Dwellers) and other noxious beings. Known also as The Glutton or Big Mouth, he is repre­ sented as extremely ugly and has the power to twist and distort the human face. Women still their crying children by telling them that lya will catch them.—James R. Walker, Lakota B elief a n d Ritual

l-YA-KA-PTE-YA (1) beyond, g o in g over; g o in g up hill. The

name of the trail going westward from the old village of *Further research reveals the name as MI-NIWA-STE CAN-HA-TAN-KA. (1) water (2) good (3) large trees, "Where-the-Big-Trees-Stand-by-the-GoodWaters" — Greater America. Vol. V, No. 3, December, 1901

36 PTAN-SIN-TA on Lake Traverse to U-TU-HU O-ZU (1) the black oak (2) a grove on the James River.

I-YU-TA-PI NA-PCIN-WAN-KA* (1) mile (2) nine. The original

name of this creek is not known though the Dakotas often referred to it in their own tongue by the name given it by the mil­ itary—“Nine Mile Creek”—because its mouth was nine miles by road from Fort Snelling. According to tradition when the Dakotas were still living on Mille Lacs, they carried on a bitter war with the lowas who then lived at a place called Oak Grove on Nine Mile Creek. Wakinyan, who was interested in wars, bore down on the village with terrible lightning and a howling storm. A thun­ der bolt was hurled at the village plowing up a deep ravine near the present dwelling of Peter Quinn. This occurance so unnerved the lowas that the Dakotas, taking advantage of it, fell upon them, burning their village and driving them across the Minnesota River.—Rev. G.H. Pond as told him by Black Tomahawk l-ZO (1) a penninsula. This particular point is located on the

north end of Ortonville projecting into Big Stone Lake.—Rev. Jos. G. Esser l-ZU-ZA WA-KPA (1) whetstone; sandstone (2) river. The Whetstone River near Wilmot, South Dakota. It was also known as CE-GA-NA WO-ZU (1) a small kettle (2) to plant or sow. “Little-Kettle’s-Planting-Ground.” Also one of the names of pre­ sent day Sand Creek, Scott County. (See WI-YA-KA WA-KPADAN)—Jos. N. Nicollet KABITAWI ZIBI (Ojibwa) “River-Beside-Another.” Elk River, Sherburne County, so-called because it paralleled the Mississippi.—Jos. N. Nicollet KA-HBO-KA KTE (1) to drift along (2) to kill. “Where-the-DrifterWas-Killed.” KA-HBO-KA, a Dakota chief and son were both killed by the Ojibwas a mile above Fort Snelling near a foot­ path.—S.W. Pond; Frederick W. Pearsall. KAKABIKA (Ojibwa) “The Falls”—a general term for all water­ falls. Present day Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. KA-KSI-ZA CAN-HDE-SKA (1) a ravine or hollow (2) a hoop, a wheel. “Hoop Hollow.” An old camping place of the Sisitons seven miles west of Peever, South Dakota.—Louis Garcia ‘ Further research disclosed that the original name was TA-KO-KI-PA SNI WO-ZU-PI WA-KPA-DAN (1) to be fearful (2) negation (3) to sow, to plant (4) a small stream. “The-stream-where-the-Dauntless-plants,” the presiding chief and father of Good Road. (See TI-TAN-KA TA-NI-NA)

37 KA-KSI-ZA HAN-SKA (1) a ravine, hollow, gully (2) long. This small stream enters the Minnesota River on the left bank immedi­ ately below CE-TAN BE or Sparrow Hawk Creek.—Jos. N. Nicollet KA-KSI-ZA SI-CA (1) ravine (2) bad, ugly. A dark, wooded ravine northwest of Sisseton, S.D. One of the numerous springs in this dark, haunted valley was said to flow with the blood and flesh of long departed Spirits. The moans and groans coming from these disembodied souls made this a place to avoid at night. Present day Sica Hollow.— Historical Stories, Northeastern South Dakota KAN-DI KA-STA-KA PI MDE (1) buffalo fish (2) to strike or beat (3) plural suffix (4) lake. “Where-They-Club-the-Buffalo-Fish.” Present day Talcott Lake including several surrounding lakes in extreme southwestern Cottonwood County. The place “ou I’on bat le poissoneau. —Jos. N. Nicollet

KAN-DI KA-STA KTE-PI (1) buffalo fish (2) to strike (3) kill. “Where-They-Kill-the-Buffalo-Fish.” Location of lake not precisely known. Believed to be one of the small lakes in Lakeside TP, Cottonwood County. Probably Summit Lake.—Jos. N. Nicollet KAN-DI YO-HI (I) buffalo fish (2) to come to, arrive at. “Wherethe-Buffalo-Fish-Come.” It is believed in early times the Dakotas applied this name to the entire group of lakes which form the source of the Crow River.—Warren Upham KAN-GI or KAN-GI SUN WA-KPA (1) raven specifically, though it may also apply to the crow (2) wing feathers (3) river. The south

branch retains the name Crow River from its mouth to KAN-DIYO-HI in the boundless prairies. The north branch is considered to be another river, the MA-GA WA-KPA or Goose River. The name for the crow is UN-CI SI-CA-DAN, “Bad Grandmother” be­ cause it will steal corn and other items. The Ojibwas called this river ANDAIG WIGWAN ZIBI, Crow River, and the French also in their word, ‘‘Corneille. -Jos. N. Nicollet (See MA-GA WA-KPA) It is interesting to note that the Crow Wing River farther up­ stream is inaccurately translated by the Americans. The Ojibwa name KAGIWIGWAN or Raven’s Wing or Quill is accurately called Aile de Corbeau by the French. The Crow River northwestward to the Sauk (Sac) and beyond was a no-man’s land between the Dakota and Ojibwa. By com­ mon consent, the neutral Menomonee was allowed to hunt in this

38 dangerous frontier. This area became the best of hunting grounds as the contenders never entered unless heavily armed and prepared for war. At times, when large, hostile parties found themselves on mutual hunting grounds, a temporary peace or PIN-DIG-ODAUD-E-WIN (Ojibwa)—“to enter one another’s lodge”—would sometimes be arranged. In these moments of truce, it was gen­ erally conceded the Dakotas were the masters in the prairies with their fearsome cavalry. In the forests, however, the Ojibwa were the better fighters because they never wasted ammunition and were better shots. The Dakota also claimed they were swifter of foot and more agile dodgers. In fact, although the Ojibwa were successful in acquiring most of the Minnesota pine lands, they could seldom penetrate into the buffalo prairies. As mentioned in the Jesuit Relations, the Dakota Nation was at war from a very early period with tribes on all sides: the Illinois, Miami, Hurons, Mascoutin, Kickapoos, Winnebagoes, Ottawas, Sac, Fox and lowas, not to mention the enemy in the north: the Ojibwas, Crees, and Assiniboines, plus those on the far western peripheries. In 1679, Sieur Duluth helped negotiate an agreement between the Ojibwas and Dakotas permitting the former to enter Dakota lands as traders and hunters, acting as middle men for the French. Eventually, as fur bearing animals became scarce, French traders moved westward and so too the Ojibwas who re­ fused to return home. By 1736 all out war broke loose. The Ojibwas formed an alliance with the Cree and Assiniboine, who were already at war with the Dakota, and a great portion of north­ ern Minnesota fell within fifty years. The Dakota and Ojibwa were not traditional enemies. It was not until the coming of the traders that competition over furs pushed them beyond tribal borders. John Tanner stated it suc­ cinctly...“There was a very general movement among the Ojibwas of the Red River toward the Sioux country; but the de­ sign was not avowedly to fall upon or molest them but to hunt.” Battle lines eventually crystalized along the prairie/forest bor­ ders, a no-man’s land fifty to seventy miles in width stretching over five hundred miles in length from Prairie du Chien northwest­ ward to Red River to the prairies beyond the Turtle Mountains.

39 KAN-PE SKA MDE (1) shell (2) white (3) lake. “The shells often worn by Dakota men at the front of choker necklaces and else­ where on their costume were secured here. Sometimes the shells were ground to a sharp edge and used as knives. They would also grind up clam shells and use them as abrasive to polish wooden bowls, spoons, corn mortars, and pestles.” Present day Lake Kampeska, Codington County, South Dakota. “Many years ago there lived a maiden named Mnikota on the shores of this lake. During the absence of her real love, the young men of the village pressed her for a commitment. Upon telling them the one who could throw a stone the farthest would win her hand, an island of stones quickly appeared. Finally realizing she would not choose amongst them, the angry suitors carried her to the newly formed island. There she was abandoned without food. A great white pelican seeing her plight brought her food to eat. Mnikota’s lover returned and during the night took her from the island. It is known to this day as WI-TAN-SNA WI-TA (1) a maiden (2) island.” —Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, The Dakota’s Heritage “The l-HANK-TON-WAN speared fish in these surrounding lakes with a technique called HO PA-SI PI (1) fish (2) to follow after one (known as “crowding”) (3) plural suffix. This method, uniquely suited to the shallow lakes in this country, involve lines of men and boys wading along the lakeshore driving the fish ahead of them. Using old blankets, robes and their feet to keep the fish from swimming back between them, they would proceed, driving the fish into narrow inlets where they would catch them with their hands and throw them ashore. In spear­ ing the fish, a leister, a type of spear with a sharp bone point in the middle and two limber unpointed bone pieces at the sides was used. When this was jabbed down on the fish, the two sides would bend out and hold the impaled fish tightly so it could be thrown ashore.” As told by Louis Strieker, William Connor and Bessie Redhorse through James E. Howard, Vermillion, South Dakota KAN-TA YU-SP1 (1) plums (2) to pick, gather. Location not pre­ cisely known. Near and southwest of the confluence of the Little Cottonwood and the Minnesota River—probably Dane Lake, Linden TP, Brown County.

40 KAN-ZE WI-CA KTE-PI (1) Kansas (2) a male o f the human species (3) to kill. “Where-the-Kansas-Were-Killed,” or “ou les Kansas ontete tue. "Present day Kanaranzi Creek, Rock County,

Minnesota. This stream flows into Rock River, a tributary of the Big Sioux.—Jos. N. Nicollet KA-PO-ZA (1) light, swift o f foot. Little Crow’s village at present day South St. Paul in the Mississippi flood plain. The name Little Crow was given to four generations of chiefs, the first was with the English during the Revolutionary War. TA O-YA-TE DU-TA (1) from ta-wa meaning his or hers (2) tribe or nation (3) scar­ let—“His Red Nation.” Number two was known as CE-TAN WAKU-WA MA-NI (1) chicken hawk (2) to hunt (3) to walk, usually

translated “Who-Walks-Pursuing-a-Hawk.” The son, number three, was known as WA-KIN-YAN TAN-KA (1) thunder (2) large —“Big Thunder.” His son, the last of the line, took the name of the original and was the Little Crow of the Sioux Uprising of 1862. This great leader and patriot was killed in Meeker county, Collingwood TP, Sec. 31, on July 3, 1863. Their hunting grounds were the lower St. Croix Valley. KA-SO-TA (1) to cut all off, as trees; to make prairie o f wood­ land; to use up. Applied by the Dakota to the naked ridge or plateau south of the present day village of Kasota.

KEG-O-MA-GO-SHIEG (Ojibwa) “Stops-the-Day” was the last

Indian to live in present day Loring Park (Oak Grove and 15th Street), Minneapolis, circa 1850. A large spring on the south side kept as much as an acre from freezing leaving black bass and pickerel to thrive. A stream issued from the lake crossing present day Harmon Place and Hennepin Avenue to meander through the extensive swamps of the Parade and Bryn Mawr. Joining a small quicksand-laden stream from Cedar Lake, it eventually emptied into Bassett’s Creek—A.J. Russell, Loring Park Aspects, 1919 KIBISAGI (Ojibwa) “The-Outlet-That-ls-Stopped” by a sandbar. The mouth of the Wisconsin River at Prairie du Chien. The adja­ cent prairie was known to some as Peminan’s Prairie after the chief of half the Fox Nation, a contemporary of Joseph Marin who was a French fur trader from out of La Baye (Green Bay, Wisconsin). The chief was influential in keeping the peace be­ tween the Fox and Illinois. (See IROQUOIS)

41

The name by which the prairie is known today comes from the warrior sociey of the Sac who in concert with the Fox occupied all the area about the mouth of this river. The dog was their sym­ bol.—Jos. N. Nicollet “Both of these tribes were Algonquin speaking, using Iowa for their buffalo hunting forays. Like the Dakota, both were fiercely militant as they fought for both hunting grounds and prestige. The warpath trail led them across the Missouri for strikes in the present day states of Kansas and Nebraska as early as 1773. Always a thorn in the side of the French was the fact that they had ensnared the Otoes and Iowa against them and were work­ ing on the Omaha and Pawnee as well.”—Alan Woolworth, Minnesota Historical Society The Winnebagoes called this junction, NEE-OOCH-JAY-JAH, “Where-River-Goes-into-a-Bigger-River.”—Frances Perry, Black River Falls KIBISKABITIGOUEYAG (Ojibwa) “Big-Point-River,” so-called

because it enters the Mississippi on an outside bend or point. The Dakota called it l-PA-KSAN WA-KPA-DAN (1) a b en d in a river o f lake (2) a sm all stream. It was located in Ojibwa coun­ try. Present day Fish Creek, Wright County.—Jos. N. Nicollet KINNIKINNIK ZIBI (Ojibwa) meaning “Tobacco River.” A mix­ ture of different things, tobacco and red willow bark. Located on the left bank of the lower St. Croix. “Tobacco was discovered by Nanabozu, the demi-god and intercessor between the gods and man. When lying by the campfire, he discovered much to his an­ noyance his tobacco pouch was empty. Disgusted, he went to sleep but lay so close to the fire he burnt his backsides. He woke up with a yell and rushed, tortured by pain, through the bushes. Some of these bushes which he grazed turned red by his blood and are known as the red willow to this day. Thus, Nanabozu had to suffer like a martyr in order that his children might never fall into the dilemma which he had found himself.”—J. G. Kohl KITCHI JOUAN SAGAIIGUN (Ojibwa) “Big-Little-Lake.” The creek flowing out takes the same name—KITCHI JOUAN ZIBI. Present day Coon Lake and Creek, Anoka County, Minnesota. KITCHI KAKABIKA (Ojibwa) “The Great Falls.” KAKABIKA is a general name for any waterfalls. This refers in particular to Saint

42

Anthony Falls and to the early village of Saint Anthony. (See OWA-MNI-YO-MNI) KITCHIMINAGUASAGAIIGUN (Ojibwa) “The-Lake-of-a-LargeOasis-of-Woods-Out-in-the-Prairies.” This included Green and Norstedt Lakes, Kandiyohi County. These and surrounding lakes constitute a large enclave of hardwood out in the distant prairies.—Jos. A. Gilfillan KITCHI SAGAIIGUN (Ojibwa) “Large Lake.” The word CHI­ SAGO is a contraction. It is believed this name was coined by the settlers of Chisago County, Minnesota, the first syllable be­ ing dropped and the last changed to “o.” LA BUTTE D’HYVERMENT (French) “The butte where they winter.” Located at the mouth of Black River, right bank. (See SA-PA WA-KPA) MA-GA O-KU-WA PI (1) a goose, geese (2) to chase, follow af­ ter anything. (3) p lu ra l suffix. Present day Lake Crystal, Blue Earth County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

MA-GA-TAN-KA O-TA MDE (1) swans (2) m any (3) lake. This

is present day Swan Lake. This lake contained large islands which were the summer homes of the Sisitons. Their principal village, however, was at the mouth of the Cottonwood. (See WAK ZU PA-TA)—Jos. N. Nicollet Keating, of the Major Long expedition, states that the rattlesnake that is sometimes found here reaches its most northern limit in this area. MA-GA WA-KPA (1) goose, geese (2) river. The name of the

north branch of present day Crow River.—from an early map of Jonathan Carver. MA-HPI-YA HO-TA WIN (1) the clouds, sky (2) g ra y (3) woman.

Present day Gray Cloud Island named after a noted Dakota woman. The former or more ancient name was WI-TA NOCH PUAOTHAK, (orthography unknown)—“Medicine Wood Island.” On the rising ground near an old village site was a large beech tree, a kind of wood with which the Dakota were not acquainted. This sacred tree was supposed to possess supernatural power, having been placed there by the Great Spirit to protect them.—Thomas Forsyth

43 MA-HPI-YA MA-NI WO-ZU (1) clouds; sky (2) to walk (3) to plant. “The Place-Where-Walking-Cloud-Planted.” It was he who had built the bark lodge which the French called “L ’ile de la Loge d ’E c o rc e ” or “Isle of the Bark Lodge.” The Dakotas

gave these wooded groves on the prairies the name of CAN WI-TA, that is, “Wood Island.” Located T110N, R32W, Secs. 29-32, Brown County, Minnesota. MA-KA-I-YU-TA-PI YA-MNI WA-KPA-DAN (1) a m easure; a mile (2) three (3) creek. Present day Three Mile Creek immedi­

ately northwest of Fort Ridgely where it enters the Minnesota River three miles upstream from the fort. It was at the mouth of this stream (circa 1862) that a white man with a vest sewn with gold coin was killed by the Indians.— Battles o f Ft. R idgely by Lightning Blanket MA-KA SAN O-ZE (1) earth (2) whitish (3) to take. “WhereThey-Take-the-White-Clay.” Present day Clay Creek, Yankton County, South Dakota.—Jos. N. Nicollet MA-KA SA-PA WA-KPA (1) earth (2) b la c k (3) river. A lower tributary of the James River. Present day Wolf Creek, Hutchinson County, South Dakota.—Jos. N. Nicollet MA-KA SA WA-KPA-DAN (1) earth (2) re d (3) creek. Located on the left bank of the Minnesota River below the entry of the Cottonwood, Nicollet County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet MA-KA TO O-ZE (1) earth (2) blue or green (3) to take. “Blue(or green)-Earth-River,” a tributary of the Minnesota River at present day Mankato. Also expressed as MA-KA TO YU-SPI ( 1) earth (2) blue or green (3) to p ic k or to gather. This green or blue clay was found six miles above the junction with the Minnesota River above the mouth of the Le Sueur River, left bank. Most tribes considered green and blue as the same color since what appears green in sunlight turns blue in the distance. The Winnebago name was MA SHOOCH GAH (1) earth (2) blue (3) the. “Where-They-Get-the-Blue-Clay.” MA-KA ZI O-ZE (1) earth (2) ye llo w (3) to take or get. “Riviere a la Terre Jaune. ” Present day Yellow Bank River, a tributary of the Minnesota River, Lac qui Parle County. Also known as MA-KA Gl YU-ZA-PI (1) earth (2) brown (3) they ta k e — Jos. N.Nicollet

44 MA-KA YU-SO-SA (1) earth (2) to m ake m uddy, to ro il up.

Present day Boiling Springs, Savage, Minnesota. UN-KTE-HI, the God of Waters and the Underworld, resided in these mys­ terious depths. A long time ago, a warrior, while passing these malevolent waters, was surprised to see twelve earthen objects swirling about. They tapered uniformly in size from the leader to the last. Quickly launching his spear at the largest, he was as­ tonished to see it bleed as though it were alive. All immediately disappeared into the center of the spring. Upon hearing of his experience, the medicine man, the WI-CAS-TA WA-KAN (or PE-ZI-HU-TA WI-CA-STA (1) herbs, m e d ic in e s (2) m an ) foretold a coming battle. The Battle of Shakopee occurred shortly thereafter. Indians never drank from the spring nor the creek since they believed the face of one of two girls who had died from drinking the water would ap­ pear.—Alex Ross, Granite Falls (See SA-KPE) MA-KI l-CA-MNA WA-KPA (1) d ust (2) to blow, bluster, storm, drive as w ind a nd snow. “ Riviere a la Poudrerie de Terre ” or “River-of-the-Powdered-Earth.” This river cannot be identified. Its source is in northeastern Iowa near the present day Turkey River, Iowa.—Jos. N. Nicollet

MANITOWIS ZIBI (Ojibwa) “River-of-the-Evil-Spirit.” Present day Jump River, Wisconsin. MAN-KA MDE (1) skunk (2) lake. [Now known as TE WAUKON

(Tl WA-KAN), Gabriel Renville’s Indian name] Located north of the Coteau, Sargent County, North Dakota. “Lac de la Bete Puante. ’’This name also applied to Lake Herman, Lake County, South Dakota. MA-STIN-CA KA-GA-PI (1) the rabbit or hare (2) to make, form, to cause to be. The site where ancient man made a stone effigy out­ line of a rabbit. Located on the bluff on the east side of Lake Traverse near the mouth of the present day Mustinka River.— Jos. N. Nicollet

MA-STIN-CA WA-KPA (1) rabbit or hare (2) river. This was so

named because of a rabbit effigy nearby. Traverse County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet MA-TO MDE (1) g ra y or p o la r b ear specifically, though this term is also used in a generic sense for all bears {2) lake. Present day

45

White Bear Lake, and the name of the small municipality of MAHTOMEDI. The legend is told of a comely maiden, daughter of a chief, who was attacked by a huge white bear. Her bethrothed, several times refused by her father as an unworthy suitor, was the one who saved her life. Also the name of present day Bear Lake, Freeborn County.—Jos. N. Nicollet MA-TO SA-PA KA-KSI-ZA (1) bear (2) black (3) a ravine, hollow or gully with or without water. A tributary valley which enters the Mississippi Valley at Eggleston near Prairie Island.—Lena Campbell

MA-TO Tl PA-HA (1) gray or polar bear specifically, though this term is also used in a general sense for all bears (2) habitation (3) hill. Translated as “Bear’s Den Hillock.” Located on the Sheyenne River southwest of Standing Rock, North Dakota.—Jos. N. Nicollet MA-TO WA-KAN (1) the bear (2) sacred, mysterious. Present day Lake Isabel at Hastings, Minnesota. A legend clings to the locality where the Vermillion River empties into the Mississippi flood plain. The Dakotas refused to go into this valley believing that the spirit of a giant bear dwelt there. An Indian slew the bear out of love of the hunt, not for food or furs. The Great Spirit punished the tribe by endowing the bear with earthly life after its death. The bear could not leave the grove but might attack all who entered. The Dakota believed that to survive, the hunter must, of course, take life; yet it was with a deeply underlying sense that all life was sacramental and must not be squan­ dered at man’s lordly whim. (See MISHA MOKWA) MA-YA HE SA-PA (1) a bank, a steep place (2) a high hill (3) black. “Black Bluff.” This hill is located on the right bank of the Minnesota River just below the mouth of the Blue Earth River in present day Mankato, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

MA-YA KI-CA-KSA (1) a steep place (2) to cut in two. A deep gorge in the Blue Earth River near present day Vernon Center. This place name also refers to a long cleft 15 feet wide and three quarters of a mile long above the mouth of the Cotton­ wood River (on the Minnesota River), right bank, which runs parallel to the river’s bank. The MA-YA KI-CA-KSA band of Sisitons derive their name from this extraordinary point in the river.—Jos. N. Nicollet

MA-KA YU-SO-SA

47 MA-YA MA-ZA-ZI HA-PI (1) hill or bank (2) gold (3) to bury.

'The-Hill-Where-They-Buried-the-Gold.” This bonanza, perhaps the remains of previous land sales such as the Treaty of Mendota, was buried on a high hill rising above and immediately west of Kopp’s Cove on Prior Lake. It is conjectured, payment was not made at once but just prior to the “Outbreak” of 1862. With the arrival of Sibley’s soldiers, it was prudent to bury what remained before fleeing west.—Janette “La Seche” Hoffman, 1896, Hastings, Minnesota; Clem Felix, Prior Lake. MA-YA SA (1) a steep place, a bank (2) red. Present day Palmer Creek, a tributary to the Minnesota River, Granite Falls TP, Chippewa County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet, August 5,1838 MA-YA SAN (1) a steep place (2) whitish. On the northern Coteau, two mile west of Veblin, South Dakota. White clay was found here slightly below the surface. This was the rendezvous of the Sisitons before leaving for the buffalo hunts and also a waiting place for the traders from Mackinac. MA-YA SA WA-KPA (1 )a steep place (2) red (3) river. The pre­ sent day Rush River which enters Lake Pepin at Maiden Rock. “Riviere aux Ecores Rouges. ” “The-River-Whose-Bluffs-areRed.” Lena Campbell, a resident of Prairie Island, stated that particles of lead were found here. MA-YA SIN-TE-HDA (S ee HE-YA-KA CO-KA (YA) O-WAN-KA) MA-YA SKA DAN (1) a steep place (2) white (3) small. Called “Rocher Blanc” or “White Rock” by the whites. The prairie which it overlooks was formerly the rendezvous of all the Sisiton when they left for the buffalo hunts or when they went to gather wild rice in the lakes in the area. In the creek nearby they would paint themselves with the greenish-blue clay. It is here also they used to wait for the traders who came from Mackinac to trade peltries and to extort a few casks of brandy from them as they passed. Located downstream from Traverse des Sioux, right bank.

MA-YA WA-KAN WA-KPA (1) a steep place (2) in this context, rem arkable (3) river. This is the Chippewa River, western

Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet MA-ZA-KAN TAN-KA WAN-KA (1) a gun (2) large (3) to lie.

“Where-the-Big-Gun-Lay.” Located north of Elm Creek on the

MA-TO WA-KAN

49

James River, a half mile southeast of Columbia, South Dakota. A cannon from the War of 1812 was lost by the Dakota.—Sam Brown MA-ZA S ’A MDE (1) metal (2) to make a sound, as the waves (3) lake. This is mistakenly written MA-ZA SA, “Red Iron,” because of word similarity. The name of the old Sisiton chief was translated as “Sounding Iron” in the roster of the Traverse des Sioux Treaty. It was he who refused to sign a false receipt that the Santees had received food and money that was due them. For his continued recalcitrance through­ out the entire transaction, Governor Ramsey had him imprisoned for treason. It was Red Iron who, with his band, compelled Little Crow and his people to stop (at the place afterwards called Camp Release) stating: “Proceed no farther into the Sisiton country. Go back and fight your own battles.”

MDE CAN (1) lake (2) wood. Yellow Medicine County. The site of a crucial battle during the Sioux Outbreak of 1862. Present day Wood Lake. MDE CA-PA (1) lake (2) beaver. Present day Lake Madison

northeast of Mankato.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE CO-KIN (1) lake (2) to roast on a spit. The name was given as a consequence of their roasting tipsinna, which was very abundant. Present day Lake Emily, Pope County.—Reverend Thomas Williamson MDE-GA BE (1) the pelican (2) to hatch. Located on the head­ waters of the Des Moines. (See SHETEK)—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE HAN-SKA (1) lake (2) long. Present day Lake Hanska, Brown County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE HAN-SKA DAN (1) lake (2) long (3) small. “The-LittleLong-Lake.” A few miles northwest of Madelia, Watonwan County. Also a small lake at the head of the west fork of CA-PA Creek, Renville County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE HAN-TE-SA (1) lake (2) red cedar. The Dakota name is not known though it is likely so-called because of the un­ usually heavy growth of juniper in this area. Present day Cedar Lake, Scott County, Minnesota.

50 MDE HDA-KIN-YAN (1) lake (2) crossw ise. Named thus

because it lay crosswise to Big Stone Lake. The French trans­ lated this adjective correctly to “Lac au Travers”-—crossed or crosswise; however, the Americans altered its meaning when anglicizing the name by adding an “e” changing it to a verb meaning to “cross over,” as in Traverse des Sioux. Present day Lake Traverse.—Jos. N. Nicollet The Ojibwa called it GA-EDAWAIIMAMIWUNG SAGAIIGUN—“The-Lake-with-a-Breast-or-Pap-on-Either-Side,” refer­ ring to the lake’s two outlets on the north end resembling the breasts of a woman with water flowing from each. MDE HE-HA-KA O-TA (1) lake (2) the male elk (3) much, many. The source of the Vermillion River WSW of Farmington. This is present day Rice Lake. Called by the French, “Lac du C erf.” The word comes from HE, the horns of animals, and

HA-KA, meaning many prongs. (Jos. N. Nicollet, field notes, September 19, 1838) MDE HMI-YAN ( 1) lake (2) round. Present day Circle Lake, Rice

County, Minnesota. MDE HO-KA MAN (1) lake (2) heron (3) to build a nest and hatch young ones. Present day Lake Elysian, Waseca County, and Lake Omsrud adjacent Lake Hanska, Brown County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

MDE HO-KA MAN-PI DAN (1) lake (2) heron (3) to hatch (4) small, referring to the herons. “Lake-Where-the-Little-HeronsNest.” “Lac aux Petits Herons. ” Present day Temperance Lake.

The Dakota name refers more to the woods and general area than the lake specifically.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE HO-KA MAN-PI DAN TAN-KA (1) lake (2) heron (3) to hatch (4) small, referring to the herons (5) large, referring to the lake. “Big-Lake-Where-the-Small-Herons-Nest“ “Grand Lac des Petits Herons.” Present day Tuttle Lake.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE HU-YA HO-HPI (1) lake (2) the common eagle (3) nest.

“Lake-of-the-Eagle-Nests” or “Nids d ’A igle. ” This lake is situ­ ated between the Little Cottonwood and Minneopa Creek. This is quite possibly Lieberg Lake, Butternut TP, Blue Earth County.—Jos. N. Nicollet

51 MDE l-CI-YA-HDE (1) lake (2) to reach one to the other. “Les Lacs a la File. "This name was applied to a small string of lakes on the upper reaches of the Maple River, a tributary of the Blue Earth. It also refers to the string of lakes on Prairie Island before the government dam was built.—Irving Campbell, Prairie Island, Minnesota

MDE l-E U-DAN (1) lake (2) to speak (3) to indicate that it is extraordinary.— Jos. N. Nicollet. So-called because the Great

Spirit spoke to a man there a long time ago. Present day Lac qui Parle.This was the home of Joseph Renville, a French fur trader who extended aid to both Catholic and Protestant mis­ sionaries in their early efforts. MDE I-HAN-KE YAN-KA (1) lake (2) the end (3) to be, to exist, having reference to a place. “The-Last-Lake.” “Le Dernier Lac.” Present day Rice Lake, Faribault County.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE IN-TP A (1) lake (2) the end of anything, the small end; the head or source, as o f a stream. Present day Mud Lake, Traverse County, an extension of Lake Traverse.—Jos. N. Nicollet

MDE l-YA-HDE WA-KPA (from l-CI-YA-HDE) (1) lake (2) to ex­ tend to (3) river. The “River-of-the-Lakes” or “La Riviere des Lacs. ” These include all lakes north and south of Fairmont: Lakes Martin, High Lake, Charlotte and the others in line.—Jos. N. Nicollet

MDE l-ZU-ZA (1) lake (2) whetstone. Present day Crystal Lake, Cannon City, Rice County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE MA-KA SKA (1) lake (2) ground, earth (3) white. “Lake-ofthe-White-Earth.” Present day Lake Calhoun. This lake was re­ ferred to also as HE-YA-TA MDE (1) back from the river (2) lake. Chief Cloudman made his permanent village here as opposed to the others who made theirs in the Minnesota and Mississippi River valleys.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE MA-YA SKA (1) lake (2) a steep place, a bank (3) white.

“Lake-of-the-White-Banks” or “Lac aux Ecores Blanches. "These small lakes probably no longer exist. A group of three lakes in ManyaskaTP, Martin County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE MA-YA TO (1) lake (2) a steep place or bank (3) green or blue. “Lake-of-the-Blue-Banks.” Present day Prior Lake, Scott County. The steep banks lie along the northwestern shores, the

52 base of a high wooded terminal moraine separating the lake from the Minnesota valley.—Lena Campbell, Prairie Island; Mrs. Ellen Ree; F.W. Pearsall, April 24, 1912 MDE MA-ZA-SKA (1) la ke (2) w hite m e tal; s ilv e r; m oney.

Possibly the site of of a trading post. Present day Lake Mazaska, Rice County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE MI-NI SO-TA (1) lake (2) water (3) translucent, not quite clear. Present day Clear Lake located in Nicollet County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

MDE NON-PA NA (1) lake (2) two (3) small. Interpreted as

“Twin Lakelets.” The country here was commonly known as WAKIN-YAN HO-HPI (The Thunder Bird’s Nest). The scout station established in 1865 was four miles west of the Thunder Bird Nest under chief scout MA-ZA KU-TE MA-NI (Shoots-lron-As-HeWalks), also known as Little Paul, defender of the captives during the Sioux Uprising of 1862. Located near Hankinson, North Dakota.— Robinson Papers, S.D. State Historical Society MDE O-A-TI (1) lake (2) for the purpo se o f encampment. “A-

Place-Where-They-Camp.” Also written E-WA-TI. “L a c du G rand C am pem ent.” This is present day Rice Lake, Blue Earth County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE O-CO-KA-YA (1) lake (2) m iddle. “Middle Lake.” Located

immediately east of Swan Lake, Nicollet County, Minnesota. “Lac du M ilie u .”— Jos. N. Nicollet MDE O-WA-NI-TI {1) lake (2) to sp e n d the winter. “Lake-WhereThey-Spend-the-Winter.” Probably Timber Lake, Nicollet County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE PU-SA (1) lake (2) dry. Present day Murphy’s Lake, Westford TP, Martin County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE SAN-NI-NA (1) lake (2) o f only one side. Nicollet refers to

it as “Lac d ’un B o rd ”— “ Lake-of-One-Shore”; also as “Lac de I'autre B o rd ,” “Lake-of-the-Other-Shore,” Present day Goose Lake five miles west of St. Peter, Minnesota. MDE SKA (1) lake (2) white, clear, clear water. In this context, a lake without water plants. Present day Lily Lake near the northeast tip of Lake Elysian, Waseca County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

53 Another lake of the same name is found east of Chamberlin, South Dakota. Quoting from James Howard: “The Yankton got their salt from a certain lake where the salt crytalized in great blocks with openings here and there throughout. The people would break with an axe the chunks of salt getting away large pieces of it. Then they took it home and boiled it. It was first in ugly brown pieces but when it was cooked and the water drawn v off, the residue was crumbly and white.” The third lake with a similar name was Pelican Lake south of t- . Lake Kampeska. This was also called “Lac du Bois B lanc” b y ^ the French. MDE SKAN HIN HDE-SKA (1) lake (2) to flutter (3) feathers (4) mottled. The French translated it “Lac de la Plume Bariolle. ” This lake no longer exists. Located two miles southeast of Farmington, Castle Rock TP, Dakota County, Minnesota, and the home of thousands of migratory fowl.—Jos. N. Nicollet, field notes, Sept. 15, 1838; Minnesota Historical Society

MDE SKA-TA (1) lake (2) to play. Present day Lake Sakatah, Rice County, Minnesota. The lake took its name from a steep, treeless, conical hill on the south shore where children loved to play.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE SKO-TPA (1) lake (2) hollowed out, a basin. Present day Minnewaska, Pope County. This is an ice-block lake resulting in steep surrounding hills particularly about the northeastern shores. MDE TA NA-SDU-TA (1) lake (2) elk (3) to slip down. Located in northwest Iowa, Palo Alto County. Long ago, Wahpekute hunters found and slaughtered many elk that had become helpless on the slick ice of the lake. Present day Elk Lake.—Lena Campbell MDE TE-WA-PA DAN (1) lake (2) lily (3) small. “Petit Lac aux Racines Croches. "This is present day Mud Lake, Blue Earth

County, Minnesota. MDE Ti-TAN-KA TAN-NI-NA (1) lake (2) council lodge or large village (3) old, ancient. However, Nicollet refers to it as “Lac des Deux Anciens Villages” (Lake-of-the-Two-Ancient-Villages). This

is now Cannon Lake, Rice County, Minnesota— Jos. N. Nicollet MDE TO-KA (1)lake (2) enemy. Long ago, a Dakota hunter while searching amongst the oak openings of what is today Lake

54

Marion, Dakota County, spied a racoon in the treetops. Setting his gun along side a tree, he climbed up after his quarry. An Ojibwa lurking nearby hurriedly picked up the gun to kill the hunter when, in desperation, the latter dropped through the fo­ liage killing his enemy.—Lena Campbell, Prairie Island MDE UN-MA (1) lake (2) the other. This is present day Lake

Harriet—“The-Other-Lake”—to distinguish it from Lake Calhoun. At the north end of Lake Harriet was an embankment 2,000 feet long, 16 feet high and about 20 feet wide at the base, stretching from the present day bandstand to the Rose Gardens. This enormous dam was the work of beavers impounding the waters of the creek coming from Lake Calhoun upon which the parkway now runs. In the southwest corner of this spark­ ling oak-enclosed lake was an abounding spring which kept that part of the shoreline open in all but the coldest wea­ ther.—Reverend Woodworth. A very similar place name is given by H.L. Gordon in his Legends o f the Northwest-— MDE (lake) U-MA (hazelnut)—“Hazelnut Lake.” MDE WA-KAN (1) lake (2) mysterious. Located north of De Smet, South Dakota. “The Yanktons dug the SIN-KPE TA WOTE (1) muskrat (2) his (3) food or calamus near this lake. This root was an important item in native herb medicine. The water in the lake was so heavy that even the most experienced swimmer could not dive to the bottom. It is saturated with mineral salts and odd spongy growths are seen around the shoreline.”—James H. Howard, Plains Anthropology. Probably Spirit Lake, Kingsbury County, South Dakota. MDE WA-KAN TAN-IN (1) lake (2) incomprehensible (3) to ap­ pear. The name derived from a phosphorescent light which

appeared around the margin of the lake at night, probably from decaying vegetation. The exact location is not known though possibly Lake Madison southeast of Lake Herman, Yankton County, South Dakota.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE WA-KAN TON-WAN (1)lake (2) in this context, ardent spir­ its (3) to dwell. Present day Long Lake in New Brighton, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Believed to be the first semi-permanent village of the Dakota following their expulsion from Mille Lacs circa 1745. The stay was a relatively short one of some thirty

55

years before their move southward to the Minnesota and Mississippi River valleys.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE WA-KIN-YAN KI-CA-KSA (1) lake (2) thunder (3) to cu t in two. “Lac Coupe-par-le-Tonnerre. ” Today’s Walnut Lake. Known also as WA-HU-KE-ZA KCI-ZA-PI (1) spear (2) fight— “Le Lac a Lance de Standard de Guerre. ” Located in Faribault County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

MDE WA-KO-NI-YA (1) lake (2) a fountain or spring. The word is taken from WA-KAN, a spirit plus NI-YA, to breathe. Literally, the “Breathing-Hole-of-the-Gods.” This has particular reference to the male UN-KTE-HI, whose abode is the water where he awaits an unsuspecting victim. MDE WAN-MDI WA-HA-PI (1) lake (2) the war eagle (3) to bury.

“The-Lake-Where-They-Buried-the-Eagle.” Present day Green Lake—south of Chisago Lake, Chisago County, Minnesota. MDE WA-STE (1) lake (2) good, beautiful. Present day Baker’s

Lake, Penn TP, McLeod County, Minnesota. This name also ap­ plies to Waste Lake immediately south of Waubay Lake on the Coteau, South Dakota. While the surrounding lakes were alkali, the waters of this lake were sweet and good.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE W A-TO -PA -PI-D A N (1) lake (2 ) to p a d d le (In this instance, by dugout). The “lac ou ils vont en canot.” Located near the headwaters of the Big Sioux between Summit, South Dakota and Punished Woman’s Lake, Grant County. The trail reached a lake so large it was easier to boat across than walk around.—Jos. N. Nicollet. Present day Twin Lakes, Grant County, South Dakota. MDE WI-TA TO-NA-NA (1) lake (2) island (3) a few. The loca­ tion of this lake is not certain. Possibly Fox Lake south of Timber Lake, Nicollet County. This name also applies to present day Marsh Lake, a widening of the Minnesota River, Big Stone County.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE Wl-Wl DAN (1) lake (2) marsh (3) small, the diminutive suf­ fix. Present day Dean’s Lake, northern Scott County in the Minnesota Valley.—Irving Campbell, Prairie Island

MDE WI-YA-KA (1) lake (2) sand. This is the name of three different lakes: present day Silver Lake, Jessenland TP, Sibley

56 County; Buffalo Lake, Waseca County; and Armstrong Lake, Butternut TP, Blue Earth County.—Jos. N. Nicollet MDE ZI l-HAN-KE (1) lake (2) yellow (3) termination, the end. “Le Bout du Lac Jaune.” Probably present day Round Lake southeast of Worthington, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

MDO-TE MI-NI-SO-TA (1)the mouth or junction of one river with another (2) clear but not perfectly so, slightly clouded, opaque.

This name was applied to the country about Fort Snelling and was nasalized by the French to Mendota. The MDE WA-KAN TON-WAN (1) lake (2) ardent spirits (3) to dwell— " Dwellers-ofthe-Spirit-Lake” (Mille Lacs) considered the mouth of the Minnesota River to be the middle of all things,the exact center of the earth.—Jos. N. Nicollet

57 MDO-TE MI-NI-WA-KAN (1) the junction o f two rivers; also the outlet o f a lake (2) the mysterious properties of “ardent spirits. ”

Present day Rum River whose source is MI-NI WA-KAN, literally “Lake-of-the-Ardent-Spirits,” present day Mille Lacs. Hence, the name of one of the sub-divisions of the Santees, the MDE-WAKAN-TON-WAN—“Those-Who-Dwell-at-Spirit-Lake.” In his Description of Louisiana, Father Hennepin stated this river was called ISSATI or NADOUESSIOUX River.—Jos. N. Nicollet This river was called Rum River by the traders and translated by the Ojibwas to ISHKODE WABO, “firewater.” Their name for this area of lakes is MISA SAGAIIGUN ING (I) all sorts every­ where (2) lake (3) the locative termination: “Place-Where-ThereAre-AII-Sorts-of-Lakes,” which the French translated and applied to the largest lake in the area, Mille Lacs, “Thousand Lakes.” Originally, the Santees or Eastern Sioux were preeminently the Mdewakantonwan though the term has gradually come to include the Wahpetonwan, Wahpekute and Sisitonwan. This descriptive term comes from the word l-SAN A-TI (1) knife, knives— formerly sharp stones (2) to encamp at. The name re­ ferred to those who lived on the sharp stones of their ancestral home in the “thousand lakes” area; also to the knives sold to them by the traders. Hence the name Knife Lake: l-SAN TA MDE (1) knives (2) at the (3) lake—a place name the invading Ojibwas assumed in their own MOKOMANI SAGAIIGUN—“Knife Lake.” (Kanabec County, Minnesota) Expulsion of the Dakota from Mille Lacs was called “The Battle of Kathio” by white historians. Unfortunately, Duluth was a poor penman and his “iz” was mistaken for a “K” and his “S” for an “O.” Izatys is seen as a version of Issati or Isanti or Santee. MEGAUDEWINING (Ojibwa) “Battle Ground.” Present day Otter Creek above Monticello. The name includes Battle Rapids in Sec. 32 of Big Lake TP in commemoration of the battles of Elk River in 1772 and 1773 on a point of land between Elk River and the Mississippi. The Ojibwas, under the leadership of Big Marten, a noted war­ rior, and 120 warriors paddled down the Mississippi to a point a short distance above the mouth of Elk River. A battle was fought against a superior force of Dakotas on the point of land between

58 the two rivers. Upon burning the prairie, the Dakotas forced the Ojibwas to retreat to an island in the Mississippi. The latter ad­ mitted eight warriors were lost and three consumed by the flames. The Dakotas suffered a severe loss in killed and wounded. The following year the Ojibwas, now numbering sixty, again proceeded down the Mississippi, and at the same spot they met a much greater force of Dakota—about 400 warriors. There the famed war-chief, Big Marten, was killed, veteran of a hundred battles—William W. Warren Philander Prescott, an early trader, writes of his own personal experience while traveling with the Ojibwas on the Mississippi above Elk River. The following occured near Megaudewining, the “Battle Ground,” some fifty years later. Constant vigilance was necessary while proceeding through these contested regions. “This company of whites and Indians (Ojibwas) camped at this place for the night. One of the Indians went down to the river to get a drink. When he came back to the fire he told his com­ rades that there were some persons walking on the ice, for the water worked up and down all the time just like when people walk on the ice.” “Some others went and looked at the water. Sometimes it would shake, sometimes it would be still; then again, all at once, the water would shake again. Some believed and some did not. The first one that made the discovery said he believed there was a war party on the river, and he was going to prepare for the worst. About midnight there came a volley of balls and arrows into the camp. There were four or five killed at the first fire. All that were left took to their heels and ran for their lives, The Dakotas charged upon the camp and dispatched those that were alive and scalped them .” This place name also has reference to a battle ground located about fifteen miles below the mouth of the Eau Claire River on Chippewa River, Wisconsin MEMOKAGE SAGAIIGUN (Ojibwa) “Sunrise Lake.” “Following a Dakota raid, MONSO-MAN-AY collected a large party of war­ riors and when the snow melted on the ground, followed the trail of the Dakotas as they returned towards their villages on the Mississippi. He caught up with their camp at a prairie on Sunrise

59 River. They numbered many lodges and around their camp they had thrown up a rampart of earth about four feet high. The Ojibwa ran up to the Dakota defenses from behind which they fired re­ peated volleys into the defenseless lodges within thus turning to their own advantage the embankment”—Wm. W. Warren. Present day Sunrise Lake, Chisago County, Minnesota. MEMOKAGE ZIBI (Ojibwa) “Keep-Sunrising-River.” Present day Sunrise River, Chisago County, Minnesota. MENOMINIKAN SAGAIIGUN (Ojibwa)—“Rice Lake.” Located

near Menomonie, Wisconsin. Schoolcraft in 1831 stated, “At Rice Lake at the distance of perhaps 60 miles from its head, I found the last fixed village of Ojibwas on this stream although the hunting camps and other signs of temporary occupation were more numerous below than on any other part of the stream. This may be attributed to the abundance of Virginia deer in the vicinity, many of which we saw and of the elk and moose whose tracks were fresh and numerous in the sands of the shore. Wild rice is found in all the lakes. Game of every species com­ mon to the latitude is plentiful. A country more valuable can hardly be conceived of.” MENOMINIKAN ZIBI (Ojibwa) “Rice Creek.” This is present day Rice Creek, Anoka County. (See O-TON-WE WA-KPADAN)—Jos. N. Nicollet MENOMINIKESHI KAKABIKANG (Ojibwa) “The-Falls-ofthe-Ricebird-River.” This is the present day St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin.—Jos. N. Nicollet MENOMINIKESHI ZIBI (Ojibwa) “The-Ricebird-River.” The ricebird is said to be the bobolink. The present day St. Croix River. From this river the St.Croix Ojibwas take their name, MENOMINIKESHIAG, “The-Wild-Rice-Makers.” MI-NIA-KI-PAM KA-DU-ZA (1) w ater (2) to divide (3) to flow, to run out. “Waters-That-Flow-in-Opposite-Directions.” This lake which Nicollet describes as “a pretty lake of clear water” was once considered the source of the Blue Earth River. It is now known as Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge. Its waters lying on a low divide also flow southward as a tributary to the East Fork of the Des Moines.—Jos. N. Nicollet

60 Another lake to carry this name is Augusta Lake, Cottonwood County, Amo TP, Minnesota, whose waters divide; one stream entering the Des Moines, the other flowing into Highwater Creek thus into the Cottonwood River.—Jos. N. Nicollet A third lake which quite likely carried this name is Rice Lake, Steele County, five miles east of Owatonna. Its waters emptied into Maple Creek thence into the Straight River; the other outlet flowed east to enter the Zumbro thence to the Mississippi. MI-NI BO-MDU-TA (1) water (2) to boil up. Present day Rattling Springs alongside the Vermillion River, Prairie Island, Goodhue County, Minnesota.—Irving Campbell, Prairie Island MI-NI HA-HA (1) water (2) the noise o f waterfalls or rapids. Present day Minnehaha Falls. According to F.W. Pearsall the name was MI-NI HIN-HPA-YA-DAN (1) water (2) to fall. Another appellation was HA-HA CI-STIN-NA (1)a general term fora wa­ terfalls (2) small, little.—Gideon Pond (See WA-KPA CI-STINNA; also SA-HI-YE-NA WO-ZU CA-SMU-NA) MI-NI l-A TAN-KA (1) water (2) to speak (3) great in any way.

“The-Water-They-Speak-of-as-Large.” Present day Lake Minnetonka, a name rearranged by Territorial Governor Ramsey in 1852.—Frederick W. Pearsall; and H.L. Gordon, Legends of the Northwest (pronounced MI-NI YA TAN-KA) [See SA-HI-YENA WO-ZU CA-SMU-NA] MI-NI NI-NA KA-DU-ZA l-YO-PTA (1) water (2) very (3) swiftly (4) to go forward. Present day Minneopa Falls, Mankato.—S.J. Brown. Also called MI-NI l-HPA-YA (1) water (2) to fall, as recorded by Jos. N. Nicollet. The name of this waterfalls has been corrupted into Minneopa, purported to have been taken from MI-NI (water) plus O-PA, from NON-PA, meaning two, hence, twice falling water.

MI-NI-O-WE (1) a sp rin g. This is present day Wabasha,

Minnesota.—F.W. Pearsall MI-NI SKA (1) water (2) white. It is now White Water Creek. The Winnebago called it NE-SCAS-HAY-TAY-RAH, translated as “The-White-Water-of-the-White (or Bold)-Bluff.”—L.H. Bunnell, MD MI-NI WA-KAN (1) water (2) enchanted. The name given to

Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. A hill on the south shore was called

61

MI-NI WA-KAN CAN-TE, literally meaning the “Heart-of-theEnchanted-Water.”—Jos. N. Nicollet This name is also given to present day Spirit Lake, Iowa athough the connotation here is “sacred.”—Jos. N. Nicollet (See MDO-TE MI-NI-WA-KAN) MISHA MOKWA (Ojibwa) The Great Bear in olden times was one of the supernaturals commissioned by the MEGIS, the sacred shell, to organize and spread the MIDEWIWIN, the Grand Medicine Society, to provide the Ojibwas with a long and healthy life. Later, in a conspiracy with other animal species, he arranged an unsuccessful rebellion against man. As a measure of rebuke, Nanebozo, the intercessor between the Great Spirit and the Ojibwas, took from the animals the power of speech. Only the shamans can now communicate today, though the Indian will still attempt to converse with the bear think­ ing it must understand them. “Of all the animals that exist in their forests, they respect the bears the most. They regard it almost as human. They often say that the bear is Anishinaabe (Indian).”— J.G. Kohl As an additional part of the punishment, the Indian would have the right to hunt all animals if he would, in exchange, respect them and perform the proper rituals in consumption and dis­ posal of the remains while under the watchful eyes of the Patriarchs or Masters of the species. Apologizing to the animal for taking its life, they make it understand that it was unavoid­ able if they were to subsist. This stream is a small tributary of the Chippewa River, left bank, between Nelson and Durand, Wisconsin. MiSIZIBI (Ojibwa) “River-Everywhere-or-AII-Over.” It is the same word as MISA when used for Mille Lacs. The Mississippi be­ comes so below the junction of Leech Lake River, not Itasca as so designated by the Whites. This is the archaic designation, as in later times it was more commonly called KITCHI ZIBI. (See HA-HA WA-KPA)—Jos. A. Gilfillan MiSKWAWAKOKAN ZIBI (Ojibwa) “The-River-Where-ThereAre-Red-Cedar.” Present day Red Cedar River, Wisconsin. The road to war for both Red Wing and Wapasa.—Jos. N. Nicollet

62

MISSH1PESHU (Ojibwa) Called the Great Lynx or Lion whose other self is the Horned Serpent, super manitous (Kitchi Manitou), who are the Owners or Masters of all underwater crea­ tures. They are the cause of sudden storms, treacherous cur­ rents in white water and the hazards of thin ice on the frozen lakes and streams. MNI PE-ZU-TA (1) water (2) grass, roots, herbs; medicines o f all kinds. Located in Codington County, South Dakota, northwest of Lake Kampeska. This lake is fed by a mineral spring near the west shore. There is no outlet. This is probably present day Medicine Lake.

MNI SO-SE WA-KPA (1) water (2) turbid or m uddy (3) river. Present day Missouri River. The French designated this stream “River-of-the-Missouris” because, as Father Marest wrote in 1700, “This people (the Missouri Indians) is the first you meet there” on ascending the river. The Illinois nation called the Missouri River the PEKITANOUI, interpreted as foaming or muddy water, and called the Siouan speaking tribe near its mouth the MISS-SOU-LI-AU, “canoemen” or the “People-with-Big-Canoes.” It is interesting to note this tribe called itself NIUTACHI—“People-Who-Dwell-at-theMouth-of-a-River.” Hence, the word Missouri is of Algonquin origin and does not mean muddy at all.—John Rydjord, Indian Place Names.

MNI TAN-IN-SNI (1) water (2) to be lost, to have disappeared. Located in Deuel County, South Dakota, and called Lost Creek. Water in this small stream disappeared in a wide, sandy valley. Its source is about four miles northeast of Lake Alice and occa­ sionally overflows into the west branch of the Lac qui Parle River in times of excessive water. MONT LA GARDE* (French) Literally “Mountain-of-the-Guard” or Lookout. These high grass crowned elevations on the east shore of the Mississippi near the mouth of the Chippewa, with­ out forest, terminate in a remarkable isolated elevation. It was used as a lookout from time immemorial as a watch for Ojibwa war parties who descend this stream against the Dakota. The Dakota name is not known, though probably TON-WE-YA PA­ HA (1) to spy, scout, to go see (2) hill.

*Between this high headland and the village of Pepin, lies a deep wooded valley graced by a winding stream called HO-TON WAKPA (1) to make a noise (2) river, translated as Roaring River. The

63 “About the year 1795, a noted war chief of Lac Court Oreilles named ‘Big Ojibwa’ raised a war party consisting of 23 men. Proceeding to the mouth of the Chippewa River, they discov­ ered long rows of enemy lodges immediately across the Mississippi. Hearing the beating of the war drums and dancing they judged they were preparing to go to war.” “The Ojibwas retreated slightly preparing an ambush by a thick forest which grew to the very banks of the Chippewa River. Early the next morning 200 Dakota warriors proceeded in their war canoes. Upon reaching the ambush, a shower of arrows killed three prominent warriors, wounding many others. The outnumbered Ojibwas then ran for their lives. The portly ‘Big Ojibwa,’ completely exhausted, bade his comrades go while he delayed the enemy alone. Following a fierce fight he was finally beheaded. Such a high esteem did the Dakotas have for his bravery, they cut out his heart, which was then cut in small pieces and swallowed raw so it would make them equally strong hearted.”—William W. Warren NEWE SAGAIIGUN (Ojibwa) “Blowsnake Lake,” so called be­ cause of the number of these reptiles. Present day Lake Francis northwest of Kingston, Meeker County, Minnesota.—Jos. A. Gilfillan NIGIDJIIKAG SAGAIIGUN (Ojibwa) “Buffalo Fish Lake.” Present day Big Swan Lake three miles north of Dassel, Minnesota.—Jos. A. Gilfillan NINGITAWITIGWEYANG (Ojibwa) “The-Place-Where-the-

Rivers-Separate.” This area is now the village of Princeton, Minnesota. It also refers to the junction of the Crow Wing with the Mississippi.—Jos. A. Gilfillan O-CE-YA-DAN (1 )to c ry to weep. This is the place of mourning or the place where they cry. It was here according to the Omaha Sacred Legend they were attacked and defeated by the Sheyenne. This is the mound where the Omaha buried their slaughtered people about 1690. Located in Nobles County. Also the name of the nearby lake. Another hillock of the same name is located in the Lake Shetek area, east of Fremont Lake, Murray County.—Jos. N. Nicollet O-HE YA-WA-HE (1) a h ill (2) m uch visited (orthography un­ certain). Presently Pilot Knob. “An old Dakota tradition states

64 that about 1800, a band of Sioux was camped just below what was later Fort Snelling on the flat between the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. Suddenly, the waters began to rise very rapidly. Looking up the Mississippi, they saw an immense animal descending the river damming the water behind as he approached. As the waters filled the gorge, they quickly struck their tipis and fled to the top of the bluff. This animal, the UNKTE-HI, traveled slowly at the time shaking himself and spout­ ing water. Turning up the Minnesota River, it finally disappeared into the opposite bluff causing the elevation now known as Pilot Knob to reach its present height.”—Samuel Pond According to Major Taliaferro’s imaginative orthography, it was called Mount Saujeaukee from the Ojibwa SAGI (near the mouth o f a river) plus AKI (land, earth, place), or “Hill-NearMouth-of-River.” The graves of Scarlet Dove and Eagle Eye lie on this lovely elevation. Having joined a hunting party, they had descended the Mississippi to an area east of Lake Pepin. By accident, the arrow of a comrade found its way through the covert, killing Eagle Eye instantly. Upon returning slowly to the Minnesota River, a scaffold was erected upon which Scarlet Dove’s beloved was “buried.” Then using the straps by which she had carried her burden, the mourning Scarlet Dove hanged herself to the scaf­ fold and died.—Gideon Pond O-HE YA-WA-HE DAN (1) a hill (2) one climbs (3) diminutive (or­ thography uncertain). This is a low hill within sight of the Cottonwood River near present day Sleepy Eye. The Dakotas came to this hill as late as 1830 to observe the arrival of the tremendous buffalo herds. Subsequent to this date, it was used as a lookout against their enemies—as the buffalo never returned—Jos. N. Nicollet. “Though much has been written about the Indian’s conservation of natural resources, this did not neces­ sarily apply to the buffalo. Many were driven over embankments, killing more than the Indian could butcher and process. It was said that white buffalo hunters killed off the last of the herds, though much blame is also attributed to an epidemic of hoof and mouth disease contracted from longhorn cattle that grazed together with the buffalo herds on the open plain.”—Biology from the Dakota Point of View by Louis Garcia, 1989

65 O-HO-MNI KI-IN-YAN-KA-PI MDE (1) to go around (2) a race (IN-YAN-KA, to run) (3) a lake. “Ou ils ont couru la course au tour 7 a 8 mille de tour.” This is present day Lake Madison, Lake County, South Dakota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

O-I-YU-W E-GE (1) the p la c e o f cro ssin g , a ford. It was also known as SKA-DAN Tl, “Where-Little-White-Lived,” or “Le Blanc,” the Dakota name of Monsieur Louis Provencalle, an early trader and a common name for Traverse des Sioux. Known also as O-PTA YA-PI (1) through or across (2) they go.—Jos. N. Nicollet O-KI HE-YE-DAN Orthography uncertain. The Andreas 1884 Atlas o f Dakota gives a translation of “two hills near each other” from KI-YE-DAN, “near or near to,” while another stated O-KI is a prefix to verbs signifying “through the middle. ” It was here

in 1836 that 28 Mandans were slain by the Dakota as they rushed between the two buttes to overwhelm the village. The French translated the name roughly as “Ou ils s ’exercent la fleche”— '“Where-They-Practice-with-the-Arrow.” In the 1770’s the Sheyenne village in this area was destroyed by the Chippewa. This battle site is located on the lower Sheyenne River near Lisbon, Ransom County, North Dalota.—Jos. N. Nicollet. Another name was O-KI-CI-ZE (1) war, fighting a bat­ tle.—Journals of Francis A Chardon, 1834-1839 O-KI-ZU WA-KPA (1) to meet, to unite as the waters of a river gather into a lake (2) river. This is the present day St. Croix River

in its junction with the Mississippi. Nicollet describes it poeti­ cally as the “Place-Where-the-Waters-Gather-and-the-RiversMeet.” It was here at Point Douglas in 1785 at the mouth of the St. Croix River, the Ojibwas scored one of their most success­ ful actions. Three hundred and thirty-five Mde-tan-ton-wan Dakotas were killed or drowned in the early morning raid on the village which destroyed them as an active division. Tradition states Little Crow, Gray Iron, Cloudman, and Shakopee were of this village. Ojibwas called this stream the MENOMINIKESHI ZIBI, the “Ricebird River” (the bobolink), using it as a road to war against the Dakotas.—Jos. N. Nicollet OKOBOJI The translation and orthography is not known. Samuel

Pond thought “this word is obviously of Dakota origin and pos-

66

sibly arose from the combination of HO-KA (heron) plus O-ZU (to plant), the probable name of a Dakota whose planting grounds were here.” Subsequent inquiry finds the word probably derives from HOH BO-JU or HU-HBA O-ZU, the calamus or sweet flag, the stalks which are eaten by the Dakotas.—Louie Garcia OMENOMINENSIWISAGAIIGUN (Ojibwa) “His-Little-Wildrice-

Lake,” from an old Indian who died there long ago. Present day Mud Lake between lakes Koronis and Rice Lake, Stearns County, Minnesota.—Jos. A. Gilfillan O-MNI-NA WA-KAN WA-KPA-DAN (1) a calm place, a shelter (2) a spirit, sacred (3) a small stream. Present day Shingle Creek,

Hennepin County.—Jos. N. Nicollet O-MNI Y A -SK E TA-W A (1 ) w a te r (2 ) to d rin k (3 ) his (Canotidan’s). Located alongside the Minnesota River at Granite Falls. This water source never dries up—Alex Ross, Granite Falls. O-NA-HDO-KA WO-ZU-PI l-PA (1) To make a hole in the ground with the foot (2) where they sow or plant; a garden (3) a promon­ tory or point. This is present day Diamond Bluff, Wisconsin. A variation on this name is O-NA WO-ZU-PI PTAN l-PA (1) from O-NA-HDO-KA, to make a hole in the ground with the foot (2) where they sow or plant; a garden (3) to turn over (4) a promon­ tory.—Frances Densmore

O-NA-HDO-KA WO-ZU-PI l-PA WA-KPA-DAN (1) to make a hole in the ground with the foot (2) where they sow or plant; a garden (3) a promontory or point (4) a creek. The present day

Trimbelle River adjacent Diamond Bluff.—Frances Densmore OSAGI SAGAIIGUN (Ojibwa) “The-Lake-of-the-Sauk.” Named for a band of Sac seeking refuge from their enemies. Present day Lake Osakis, Douglas County, Minnesota. The word Sauk comes from ASAUWUS (yellow) plus AKI (earth) —“YellowEarth-People.”—Jos. A. Gilfillan OSAGI ZIBI (Ojibwa) “The-River-of-the-Sauks.” Present day

Sauk River. O-TA-KA PSIN-CA (1) many, much (2) the duck potato, a bul­

bous esculent root which grows in marshes. Present day Brown’s Valley. Another name was SKI-SKI-TA (1) a strip o f land pressed or hemmed in; an isthmus.

67 Inscribed Rock’s Tradition (Brown’s Valley). In olden times there were ghostly objects that marked the rocks at night. They could be seen but their exact shapes could not be ascertained. They would work making sounds like hammering and occasion­ ally emit a light similar to a firefly. After finishing their work they would give one hearty laugh like a woman and disappear. These are spider men—dwarfs who turn to spiders when they are not busy at their labor. (See UN-KTO-MI)—Alex Ross, Granite Falls. O-TE-HI O-TON-WE (1) thicket (2) village. A WA-HPE-TONWAN village near Traverse des Sioux. O-TON-WE WA-KPA-DAN (1) village (2) a sm all stream. The Ojibwas called it MENOMINIKAN ZIBI, Rice Creek, by which it is known today. Tradition states Eagle Head and Good Road were originally of this village. After their expulsion from Mille Lacs (approximately 1745) through the superior arms of the Ojibwas, the Mdewakantonwan united in three large villages. The princi­ pal one in early years was here, though the stay was a relatively short one. The second was at CO-KAN TAN-KA; the third at the ancient site of the MDE-TAN-(KA) TON-WAN at the mouth of Nine Mile Creek.—Schoolcraft OU ILS CHASSENT LES RATS MUSQUES (French) “WhereThey-Hunt-the-Muskrats.” This area includes the large swampy grounds in Renville and Sibley Counties. By the 1820’s the beaver was all but extinct. It is recorded in 1835 that a lodge of four men near Lac qui Parle had taken over 1200 rats in twenty days. That same year Taliaferro wrote that an Indian had killed 1256 rats and that a friend had taken 1300. During the season of 1836, five Dakota trappers were said to have killed over 10,000.—Jos. N. Nicollet OU ILS TIRENT UNE ESPECE DE POISSON (French) Where They-Spear-a-Certain-Type-of-Fish.” This lake was located be­ tween the Cottonwood and Little Cottonwood Rivers. Probably Clear Lake in Sigel TP, Brown County.—Jos. N. Nicollet OU LE CARIBOU EST MORT (French) “Where-the-CaribouWas-Killed.” Present day Watonwan River. The woodland cari­ bou, unlike his cousin in the tundra, tends to be a solitary feeder.—Jos. N. Nicollet

68

OU LES CANARDS NOiRS JOU ENT A COUP DE PIEDS

(French) “Where-the-Black-Ducks-Play-Soccer.” Present day Perch Lake, Beauford TP, Blue Earth County. This is a direct translation of the Dakota name though the orthography is not known.—Jos. N. Nicollet O-WA-MNI-YO-MNI (1) an eddy or whirlpool. —Schoolcraft.

Present day St. Anthony Falls. Nicollet states the falls were known by the name of HA-HA, a general term for all waterfalls from the word l-HA-HA, the noise and laughter of falling, rushing waters. The Ojibwa name was KITCHI KAKABIKA, “The Great Falls, or literally, “The-Great-Severed-Rock.” This was also their name for Minneapolis. Legend states that AN-PE-TU (day) SA-PA (black) WIN (woman), commonly known as Clouded Day, was the first and devoted wife of a Dakota warrior. However, in time in accordance with the custom, the husband introduced a second wife within the tipi. One day the band encamped near the Falls of St. Anthony. Clasping her little son, Clouded Day entered a canoe, pushed out into the swift current chanting her death song. The Dakotas say that in the mists of morning, the spirit of the Indian wife with a child clinging around her neck is seen darting in a canoe through the spray, and the sound of her death song is heard again in the winds and roar of the waters. In seeming re­ membrance, a bear and her cub occasionally appear coming out of the water.—Henry G. Allanson, 1908, MHS O-WA-SE O-KE (1) vermillion (2) to mine or dig. Thought to be the present day Pipestem Creek, a tributary of the Big Sioux, South Dakota.—Jos. N. Nicollet O-WO-BO-PTE HA-HA (1) a place from which turnips have been dug (2) a general term for a waterfalls. The old waterfalls at present day Hastings, Dakota County, Minnesota. This name also refers to the town of Hastings.

O-WO-BO-PTE WA-KPA (1) a place from which turnips have been dug (2) river. Another term for this small stream was WASE-SA WA-KPA (1) red paint, vermillion (2) river. Vermillion or red ocher was obtained by the Dakotas in seams of sandstone in the middle reaches of this river. Another name for this little prairie stream was the HU-TA HI-YA-YA, (1)the margin of a river or lake

70 (2) to go p a st or go by. Perhaps a reference to the low swampy bottoms on one side as contrasted by the high wooded bluffs on the other as it entered the Mississippi River flood plain. Vermillion River, Dakota County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet This name is also attached to present day Pomme de Terre River, a tributary of the upper Minnesota.—The place “ou I’on pioche les pom m es de p ra irie . Pomme de Terre Lake was called OPINIKANI SAGAIIGUN by the Ojibwas.—“The-Place-of-theWild-Potatoes-Lake.” "

O-WO-TAN-NA (1) straight, not crooked; right, just, upright.

Present day Straight River, a tributary of the Cannon. (From whence the city of Owatonna, Minnesota received its name.)—Jos. N. Nicollet O-ZA-TE (1) a fork. The junction of the Bois de Sioux River with the present day Ottertail River. A general term for a river fork—Jos. N. Nicollet PA-HA MA-STIN-CA WA-KPA (1) a mound, a hill (2) ra b b it (3) river. "Riviere Buttes des Lie vres.” Present day Highwater Creek, a tributary of the Cottonwood. The other outlet to the south is via a stream of the same name.—Jos. N. Nicollet

PA-HA O-KA-DU-ZA (1) a h ill (2) airy, dra ught o f wind. Located near the head of the Coteau des Prairies (HE l-PA) and consid­ ered the abode of departed souls.—Jos. N. Nicollet (PA-HA) PA-ZO-DAN (1) a prom inent or conspicuous hill lo­ ca te d a few m iles south east o f Hastings. Used as a lookout point for buffalo and the marauding Sac, Fox, and Ojibwas.—Irving Campbell, Prairie Island

PA-HA TA-TO-KA-DAN (1) hill (2) antelope. Located in western

Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet PA-HA TI HAN-SKA (1) a hill, m ound (2) tipi, a dwelling (3) long.

“Hill-of-the-Long-Lodge,”—Located near Appleton, Minnesota. Thought to be one of the long narrow hills of drift in the Minnesota Valley caused by the glacial Lake Benson and eroded by the river. “La Colline Grande Loge ou Longue L o g e .”—Jos. N. Nicollet PA-HA TO-PA (1) a m ound, h ill (2) four. “The-Four-Hills.” Located north of the Coteau des Prairies, Sargent County, North Dakota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

71 PA-HA TO-PA MDE (1) a hill (2) four (3) lake. “Lake-of-theFour-Hills.” Present day Sprague Lake, Sargent County, North Dakota.—Jos. N. Nicollet PA-HIN WA-KPA-DAN (1) the porcupine, the quills. This appar­ ently is the present day Bogus Creek which empties into Lake Pepin near old Fort St. Antoine which was established by Nicholas Perrot, 1686, Pepin County, Wisconsin.—Jos. N. Nicollet PA-KA KA-HU WA-KPA (1) to split or cut a slit (2) to peel, as bark (3) river. “Ou on leve les ecorces ” (in making a dugout).

Exact location is not known though thought to be a tributary of the Mississippi between the lower Iowa River and the mouth of the Des Moines.—Jos. N. Nicollet PE-HAN HA-PI (1)the crane (2) to bury (3) plural suffix. “WhereThey-Buried-the-Crane.” “La Butte de la Grue” or Crane Hill. Many years ago while the men were away on a hunt, the re­ maining women became aware of the presence of Ojibwa scouts. Hiding their alarm they retired to their tipi, dressed a pet crane in the clothing of a man, stirred up the fire, then crept into a ravine close by. The enemy, firing into the moving shadows discovered a man had changed into a dead crane! They fled the place. Upon the return of the men, they buried their pet crane inside the tent. Located on the eastern bluffs of Lake Traverse, Folsom TP, Minnesota.— H istorical Stories, Northeastern South Dakota, H.S. Morris PE WA-KPA (1) elm (2) river. “Riviere aux Ormes”, a branch of the James River near Aberdeen,South Dakota. This stream deserves no special mention as a navigable water, but is very well worthy of notice on account of the timber growing on its banks and those of its forks. Hence it is that the Indian hunting parties, proceeding upon their winter chase across the Coteau des Prairies to the Coteau des Missouri, always take this route, not only perhaps for the supply of wood, but also in the expectation of meeting with game.—Jos. N. Nicollet

This river was also the site of a scouting station estab­ lished in 1865 under chief scout Joseph Roulliard about where Orday, South Dakota is now located. The Dakotas called the river here COH-WAN-ZI-CA l-PA-ZIN, (1) the sm all w illow (2) to be prevented by something from proceeding, not to be

72 able to go on. Commonly called “Where-the-Willows-Make-the-

River-Bend.” PE-ZI HU-TA ZI KA-PI WA-KPA (I) herbs (2) roots (3) yellow (4) to dig (5) river. The yellow medicine referred to is the moonseed, any of a genus of plants with crescent shaped seeds having small flowers of narcotic properties. From the roots of this plant comes the name of the river. Present day Yellow Medicine River.—Jos. N. Nicollet POINTE AU CERF (French) (1) Stag Point (See HE-HA-KA HNAKA WA-KPA-DAN). The Dakotas called it HE-HA-KA l-PA (1) elk (2) point. Located on the bluff, left bank, of this stream as it debouches out onto the Minnesota River flood plain. PRAIRIE AUX AILES (French) “Prairie of the Wings.” These are the bluffs behind the village of Wapasha at present day Winona. This descriptive name comes from the bluffs which stretch like two immense wings overlooking the prairie far below. The name WI-NO-NA, the first born child if a daughter, is a contraction of the word WI-NO-HIN-CA (woman) plus the diminutive suffix NA, thus a young woman.—Jos. N. Nicollet, Oct. 4, 1839 PRAIRIE AUX CYPRES (French) So-called because of the

number of red cedars (juniper) in the area. Located on an island at the mouth of the Zumbro River in the Mississippi River flood plain—(See TI-PI O-TA) PRAIRIE DES FRANCAIS (Francois) According to Beltrami,

“so-called from the first Frenchmen who pushed their dis­ coveries from Canada to this spot where they were killed by the Indians.” The Dakotas perhaps called this lovely prairie encircled by distant riverine bluffs, WA-SI-CUN KTE-PI (1) Frenchmen in particular, all white men in general (2) to kill—

“The- Place-Where-the-Frenchmen-Were-Killed.” The Shakopee Prairie. PSA MDE (1) water-grass (2) lake. Present day Mud Lake on

Little Rock Creek [sometimes called Mud Creek] (See PSA MDE WAN-KA KIN WA-KPA.) This name was also applied to a small lake near Matawan in Waseca County, one of the sources of the Little Cobb.—Jos. N. Nicollet PSA MDE WA-KPA (1) a rush or water-grass used in making m ats (2) lake (3) river. Called “The-River-of-the-Lake-of-

73 Rushes.” The present day Little Cobb River, Blue Earth County.—Jos. N. Nicollet PSA MDE WAN-KA KIN WA-KPA (1) a rush or water-grass used in making mats (2) lake (3) to lie, to be (4) the (5) river.

"The-River-of-the-Lake-Where-the-Rushes-Lie.” Also called "La Riviere du Petit Rocher” or “Littlerock Creek,” the l-MNIZA-DAN of the Dakotas. Situated in N icollet County, Minnesota—Jos. N. Nicollet PSE-HTIN WI-TA (1) ash tree (2) grove or island. “L ’ile aux Frenes.” Located in East Chain TP, Martin County. This lake probably no longer exists.—Jos. N. Nicollet

PSIN-CIN-CA (1)a bulbous esculent root; the swan-potato. This river flows through northeastern Iowa but is known today as the WABIZIPINIKAN ZIBI, an Ojibwa name translated as the swan potato. The modern spelling is WAPSIPINICON, (See WABIZI­ PINIKAN ZIBI)—Jos. N. Nicollet PSIN HU WA-KPA (1) rice (2) stalk (3) river. Present day Wild Rice River in the southeast corner of North Dakota where it en­ ters the Red River near Fargo.—Jos. N. Nicollet PSIN MDE (1) rice (2) lake. This lake is located across the river from SA-KPE’s village. The Dakota name for this lake is not known. However, the Americans call it Rice Lake, a possible translation from the original Dakota. It is interesting to note that while the great rice fields were north of an east-west line through Little Falls on the 46 degree of latitude, the exception were the lakes of the lower Minnesota River flood plain. The wild rice crop was only successful about one year in three, damage resulting from flood, wind, drought or hail. Usually a crop lasted the few months of fall and early winter. It was here in this lake the bones of UN-KTE-HI, the god of the waters were found. Fossil remains of the mastodon are the supposed bones of this frightful monster which was killed by WA-KIN-YAN, the Thunder Bird. Though evil, his bones were the most prized possession of man because of the remarkable pow­ ers with which they were endowed. PSI-PSI-C A -N A MDE (1) g ra ssh o p p e r (2) sm a ll (3) lake.

Located on the upper James River, North Dakota.

74 PTAN KA-GA-PI (1) otter (2) to make. Called by the French the place “ou ils font la loutre. "This is a boulder outline of an otter lo­ cated on the bluff overlooking Lake Traverse on the east side of the lake.—Jos. N. Nicollet PTAN SIN-TA (1) otter (2) tail. In forming a proper name, the SIN-TE becomes SIN-TA. This is the name of the village at the

upper end (south) of Lake Traverse. PTAN SIN-TE WA-KPA (1) otter (2) tail (3) river. The Dakotas considered Lac qui Parle as the source of the Minnesota River. From there northwestward to its ultimate source it became the Ottertail River. “La Riviere Queue de Loutre. ” (See IN-KPA WAKPA-DAN)— Jos. N. Nicollet PTAN SKA KTE-PI (1) otter (2) white (3) to kill. “Where-They-

Kill-the-White-Otters.” Present day Silver Lake west of Spirit Lake, Iowa.—Jos. N. Nicollet PTE CIN-CA SI-CA PA-HA (1) a cow, the female buffalo. The bison or buffalo is colloquially termed “pte,” irrespective of sex. The counterpart is “tatanka” (2) a child, the young o f animals, a whelp, cub, calf, foal (3) bad, ugly (4) hill or hills. Many years ago the Dakota killed a buffalo on a hill three miles straight north of present day Sisseton, South Dakota. The unborn calf was found to have two heads. Some say it had a human face. This particular hill is perhaps 20 or 30 feet high and three miles long.—Louis Garcia, Devils Lake, North Dakota PTE-GA WA-KPA (1) a marsh (2) river. The ancient Dakota

name of Rush Creek in Chisago County which enters the St. Croix. This country was later taken by the Ojibwa and re­ named in a similar vein: “The-Place-of-Rushes-River,” GASHASHAGANUSHKOKANI ZIBI.—Jos. N. Nicollet PTE-GA WA-KPA-DAN (1) a marsh, a swampy place (2) creek. The Ojibwa name: GITCHI JOUAN ZIBI, “Big-Little-River.” Present day Coon Creek, Anoka County.—Jos N. Nicollet PTEH-WI-TA (1) firm land surrounded by a marsh, a swamp is­ land. This name is often used by Nicollet. The lake is in Faribault County and flows into Brush Creek. Also a small lake in Courtland TP, Nicollet County, that runs into the Minnesota River opposite the mouth of the Cottonwood.

75 PTE O-HAN-PI MDE (1) a female buffalo (2) boiled (3) lake.

“The-Lake-Where-They-Boiled-the-Buffalo” located in Louriston TP, Chippewa County, northeast of Granite Falls. Present day Buffalo Lake.—Lily Ross, Granite Falls RIVIERE ET LAC DE LA PERCHE CHAUDE “River-and-Lakeof-the-Active-Perch.” This is the present day Perch Lake and river in Martin and Watonwan Counties. The Dakota name is not known.—Jos. N. Nicollet SA-HI-YE-NA WO-ZU CA-SMU NA (1) those who speak a strange language (2) to sow, to plant (3) sand (4) diminutive suffix. “The-Little-Sandhills-Where-the-Sheyenne-Plant.” Their

village, destroyed by the Ojibwas about 1770, was located on the left bank of the present day Sheyenne River at the south­ ern most point of its course—12 miles southeast of Lisbon, North Dakota. Their enemy, the Ojibwas, called this stream GA NINAWESHIWI ZIBI—“The-River-of-the-Language-That-We-AlmostUnderstand,” so called as the Sheyenne and Ojibwas were of the same language stock. (See O-KI HE-YE-DAN) The name Sheyenne is variously written and is one that is of Dakota origin meaning literally “to talk red,” that is, unintelligibly. Conversely, l-E-SKA means “to talk clearly,” intelligibly or to interpret. Early French maps dated 1673 show these people had their village a little above Prairie du Chien. Later charts dated 1688 show them already on the Minnesota River between the Blue Earth River and Big Stone Lake, and by 1700 ensconced on the lower Sheyenne River. Of Algonquin cultural background, they may have been distantly related to the Cree with a territorial origin in eastern Canada. An old Sheyenne tradition told by Black Pipe (W.P. Clark 1982: 102, The Indian Sign Language ) tells of a probable residence at Lake Minnetonka "on a large lake and a stream running from this fell to a great depth...The stream ran east and was be­ yond the Big River.” Minnehaha Falls rank prominently in Sheyenne oral tradition.—Karl Schlesier, Plains Anthropologist, Vol 35, Feb. 1990 Under continued attack by the Assiniboine, Cree and Ojibwas, they were forced westward onto the high plains where they

76

changed to a nomadic way of life, and a rendezvous with his­ tory on the Little Big Horn. The tribal name of the Assiniboine is of Ojibwa origin from ASSINI, stone or stones plus BWAN—the Sioux, their enemy, from their method of cooking with stones. However, they call themselves HO HE (1) a seine; net for catching fish; fishing gear from the word HO-I-CU-WA (2) to p u tin place. “The People-WhoMake-Nets-to-Catch-Fish.” It is believed that their separation from the l-HANK-TON-WAN-NA (Yanktonais) occurred some­ time prior to the 17th century. SA-KI-YA TA-WA MDE (1) from SA, red, plus KI-YA, to cause (2) his or hers (3) lake. That is, SA-KI-YA’s lake, a reference to Chief Red Wing as in later years he was known as “The-ManWho-Paints-Himself-Red.” Present day Sturgeon Lake, Prairie Island, Minnesota.—Walter Leith, Prairie Island

SA-KPE (1) Six. The name of Chief Shakopee. Though the com­

mon name of the village was always TIN-TA O-TON-WE, the traders usually referred to it as Shakopee. SA-KPE DAN (1) six (2) the diminutive, Shakopee’s son. This is an ancient name orig­ inating when the Dakota were still at Mille Lacs. An intertribal marriage (reminiscent of the renowned first Sioux Wapasha and a grandmother of the famous Ojibwa warrior, Waub o jeeg,) had taken place between a Dakota woman and an Ojibwa man who produced sextuplets, a fact so wonderous that this dynastic name has survived to the present day. Ojibwas changed the pronunciation slightly adding ENS, the diminutive termination so that the name became SHA-GO-BENS, Little Six, or SHAGO-BAI for the Six. (See WA-PA-HA SA)

77 The following is the story of the fight May 27, 1858, at SHAGO-BENS’ camp as related by Odjibwe, an Ojibwa warrior, as told to W.W. Warren. “A war party of over 100 left their village at Mille Lacs. Upon arriving on the north bluff of the Minnesota River, a band of 25 warriors slipped down between the floodplain lakes to hide in wait beside the river. Among them was GAWITAYAC (whirling wind), a very brave and handsome young man from Red Lake. Soon they saw a Sioux coming down to the shore. A woman sat on the high bank and watched him. With no suspicion of danger the Sioux entered a canoe and started to cross the river. As he neared the shore the Chippewa shot at him. In an instant the screams of the woman gave the alarm and the Sioux rushed with guns in their hands to the river and crossed in canoes. Before Odjibwe and his party could return to the Chippewa camp the fight began beside the river.” “Odjibwe and GA-WITAYAC who had used all their ammuni­ tion, were trying to catch a Sioux, their intention being to kill him with a war club. The man made his escape, and one of the Sioux in the river shot GA-WITAYAC who fell mortally wounded. Odjibwe signaled to those who cared for the wounded and they carried him back to camp. The Sioux then forced the Chippewa out of the bushes and under cover of their shelter they fired on them in the open. The wounded were laid upon litters of pole, each carried on the shoulder of four men. On such a litter GAWITAYAC was borne his friends standing around him as he sang his death song. Slowly his voice faded away and in a few hours he died while he was still singing. The large bear was his “manito animal” in whose guidance he had trusted.” 0 0 0

Death Song of GA-WITAYAC KIT-CHI MAK-WA (large bear) NI WAYEJIMIG (deceives me)

0 0 0 Two songs composed concerning the battle were sung in the dances following the return of the warriors. One of these songs recalls the fight beside the river and is said to have been com­ posed during the fight:

78 0 0 0 On the Bank of a Stream AGAMIZIBIWICEN ENDANADJIMIGOYAN

Across the river They speak of me as being

Song at SHAGOBENS’ Village SHAGOBENS ODODENAN MAWIWUG ININIWUG

At SHAGOBENS’ village (they) are weeping the men Second rendition

SHAGOBENS ODODENAN MAWIWUG IKWEWUG

At SHAGOBENS’ village (they) are wailing the women

Above verses recorded by Frances Densmore 0 0 0

A war party of Ojibwas left Mille Lacs (A) along a wooded trail (B) under the leadership of Shahasking (C) to the banks of the Minnesota River (D) to attack Chief Shakopee (E). The vertical line, like an upright comb (F), signifies the edge of the prairie while the scattered spots (G) are the lodges of the village, TINTA O-TON-WE. Five of the chief’s men were killed while the at­ tacking force admitted to the loss of only one warrior (others say five Ojibwas were killed with ten wounded) (H), while securing a warrior’s arm (I) as a trophy of war—Garrick Mallery, Picture Writing o f the A m erican Indians (From a birch bark record).

The Battle of Shakopee

79 Chief Shakopee died in 1862 just prior to the Sioux Outbreak and was succeeded by his son, also known as l-A TO-KA, “ToSpeak-Another-Language.” The real power was HO CO-KA DUTA (1) voice (2) middle (3) red, “Red-Middle-Voice,” a brother of the old leader. He was one of the foremost supporters of the Outbreak forcing Little Crow into the position of reluctant leader. The TI-YO-TI-PI, The Lodge of Lodges or the Soldiers’ Lodge, was the legislative branch where regulations were formulated. The chiefs themselves had little influence. They had no power to make laws, nor were they leaders of war parties and were com­ pelled to support themselves and their families just as others did. As leadership amongst the Santees was a hereditary one, power or influence depended on force of personality plus the ability to command respect by speaking. Since there was no written language, oral literature assumed an important place. The art of expressive speech was highly regarded, a play on words prized. The A-KI-CI-TA, the head warrior, was the chief’s assistant. His duty was to punish officially anyone in the violation of a law. In times of war or the buffalo hunt, he was assisted by other AKI-CI-TA appointed by the council. A man who had killed more of the enemy than anyone else could not be “soldier killed” and was above the law. Punishment consisted of killing a man’s horse or dog, cutting up tents and blankets, breaking guns, plus the sting of ridicule, physical exile or death. (See WA-ZI-YA) SA O KA-TAN (1) abbreviation for Sheyenne (SA-HI-YE-NA) (2) a connective (3) to drive in, as a nail, a crucifixtion “(TheLake)-Where-They-Spiked-the-Sheyennes.”—Robinson, Doane (Shaokatan TP, Lincoln County, Minnesota.) SA-PA WA-KPA (1) river (2) black. The Winnebagoes called this river NE-SHEB-ER-AH-NE—“Black Water.” The butte at the mouth of this river, right bank, was called La Butte d’Hyverment (Frenchmen who stay the winter). To better distinguish between these feral Frenchmen, the following were terms used in the Missouri River Country and the Great Plains: FRANCAIS de­ signates one from the Illinois Country, St. Louis and environs; CREOLE, one of Louisiana origin or ancestry; FRANCAIS DE FRANCE, one from the Old Country; CANADIEN, one from Canada; HOMME LIBRE, a French Canadian trapper who

80

married an Indian woman and took to the free life of the woods and prairies. Their children were the metis or bois brules. Present day Black River, Wisconsin. All Frenchmen were called WA-SI-CUN in particular and later, all white men in general. Originally the word meant a person or thing having or characterized by special powers resident in the universe and looked upon as a recipient or carrier of TON (sim­ ilar to the Christian grace though more powerful). TON is the power to do supernatural things. Unfortunately in later times the name became one of derision and disdain. SHETEK (Ojibwa) (1) the pelican. The name Shetek is an Ojibwa

name brought in by the French voyageurs. The correct orthog­ raphy is SHEDE with each vowel pronounced like a long “a.” It is said the Dakota also called it Pelican Lake, that is, MDE-GA BE (1) the pelican (2) to hatch. They also called it MDE WA-BE CE (1) lake (2) a hatching place (3) the suffix CE is used when a general truth is expressed, and also to distin­ guish it from a lake on the Coteau des Prairies, WA-BE.—Jos. N. Nicollet SHIBADJWUNK (Ojibwa) “Where-the-Current-of-the-River-

Forces-lts-Way-Through-and-Escapes.” Because the river makes a bend there, a small underground stream flows directly across the bend. A river bend at Cambridge, Minnesota. Present day Rum River.—Jos. A. Gilfillan

SI-CAN GU WA-KPA (1) outer-thighs (2) burnt, scorched (3) river. The Brules or Burnt Thighs. This site is located on the lower reaches of the Big Sioux, right bank, Union County, South Dakota. Present day Brule Creek. Because of a prairie fire that one night surprised the village, the tribe (a sub-division of the Titons) acquired its name.—Jos. N. Nicollet

81 SI-HA HAN-SKA WA-KPA-DAN (1) foot (2) long (3) creek. Longfoot

and his wife were killed by the Ojibwas on the right bank of the Mississippi River near the mouth of the brook between Mendota and St. Paul. Present day Lilydale, downstream from Mendota. SI-HA-HMIN TO-TI-WO-TA To break it down more clearly: SIHA (the foot) HMIN (crooked) TA (his or hers) O-TI-WO-TA (an

old encampment). For euphony and brevity, such phrases are usually drawn together, a combination of various component parts. Attempting to enumerate the units of vocabulary creates a problem. Early in 1845 Major Brown established an Indian trading post “at the foot of the eastern slope of the Coteau des Prairies, nine or ten miles west of the present town of Sisseton.” Translated as “Crooked-Foot’s-Abandoned-Home.”— South Dakota Historical Collection, Vo I. X, 1920. SIN-KPE O-KU-WA (MDE) (1) muskrat (2) to hunt (3) lake. The source of the Red Cedar River in Mower County, Marshall TP, Minnesota. Also the name of the now extinct Jackson Lake near Amboy, Blue Earth County, Minnesota. The SIN-KPE (muskrat) TA (his) WO-TE (food), “The-Muskrat’s-Food,” is the sweet flag used against colic and stomach pains.—Jos. N. Nicollet SI-SI TON-WAN (1) the word comes from SIN-SIN meaning be­ smeared, slimed as with fish or from SI-SIN, a synonym of HO­ GAN (fish) MNA (to smell) (2) to dwell at a place. Thus the Sisiton villages were “si-sin” on account of the old fish bones and pu­ trid fish lying about. They lived chiefly at Swan Lake, Little Rock, at the Two Woods on the Coteau, at the mouth of the Cottonwood River and at Lake Traverse. The Sisiton village near the mouth of the Cottonwood was called MA-YA KI-CA-KSA (1) a steep bank (2) to cut in two, be­ cause of a long point paralleling the river bank. The chief was WA-KAN-TO—“Blue Spirit.” Their chief hunting ground was the Blue Earth, though they went as far as the Missouri for buffalo. The chief at Lake Traverse was TA-TAN-KA NA-ZIN, “Standing Buffalo.” (See WAK ZU PA-TA) Their territory furnished valuable fur bearing animals, more so than any other area west of the Mississippi. As a result, the Sisitons were able, together with the Yanktonai, to obtain more European merchandise than any of the surrounding nations.

82 Much of this barter, especially arms and ammunition, was re­ served for the TI-TON-WANS whom they met annually at U-TUHU O-ZU, “The-Grove-of-Oaks” on the James River. Arms and ammunition was exchanged for leather lodges, buffalo robes, and most importantly, horses. (See l-YA-KA-PTE-YA) SUKUTAGUNI SAGAIIGUN (Ojibwa) Exceptionally “dry and shredded wood punk. "This was the name of an old Indian who once lived there. Also spelled SAGATAGON. Now called Spunk Lake, Stearns County, Minnesota. The outlet stream took the same name, SUKUTAGUNI ZIBI.—Jos. A. Gilfillan

SUN-KA MDE (1) dog (2) lake. This lake is the source of the south branch of the Crow River (in East Lake Lillian TP), which in later years was drained. SUN-KA NA-KPA (1) dog (2) ears of animals. The exact loca­ tion of this lake is not precisely known. However, it is believed to be Lake O’Dowd west of Prior Lake because indentations of both the bay and the adjacent point resemble dog ears.—Alex Ross as told to him by Jim Graham SUN-KA PA O-TA (1) dog or dogs (2) head (3) many. Place “ou ils y ’a beaucoup de tetes de chiens. ” Located on the Sheyenne River near the mouth of the Riviere aux Bouleaux (birch). A range of hills in Barnes County, Oak Hill TP. In 1853 a large council was held here to discuss dissatisfaction with the treaty of 1851. Numerous bands of the Dakota were there with many dog feasts, hence the name.—Louis Garcia, Devils Lake, North Dakota

SUN-KA SA -PA (1) d og (2) black, was the name of the residing chief. Black Dog was known also as WAN-MDI TAN­ KA (1) war eagle (2) great, commonly called Big Eagle, and

translated by the French as “Le Gros Kiliou, "who had his village about the lake bearing his name. After his death in 1838, his son, MA-ZA HO-TA (1) iron (2) gray, succeeded him. Following his death in 1853, his son in turn became chief taking the name of his grandfather, Big Eagle. He took an active part in the Sioux Outbreak, fought at Fort Ridgely, New Ulm, Birch Cooley, and Wood Lake. This great warrior was court-marshalled, convicted, and sentenced to ten years by the U.S. Federal Government. After serving three years, he was pardoned by President

83 Johnson. He died at Granite Falls in 1906. The village was known by several names: CAN O-SKA (1) w ood (2) open coun try with­ out thickets— from O-SKA-KA, bare. Often called O-HAN-OSKA (1) a stra ig ht p la c e in the river, usually interpreted as

the “Long Avenue Village” as it formed a long row of tipis two or three miles along the natural levee. Still another name was MA-GA YU-TE SNI (1) geese (2) eat (3) negation, thus “ThePeople-VVho-Eat-No-Geese,” WAN-MDI TAN-KA, either from a religious convic­ Circa 1855 tion, or from the fact all the birds were being sold to the garrison at Fort Snelling. It seems the origins of Black Dog’s village had their beginnings just prior to 1800 at the time of Wapasha’s and Red Wing’s de­ parture from TI-TAN-KA TAN-NI-NA, the old village below the mouth of Nine Mile Creek. The remaining villagers apparently split again, some staying with their new chief, Le Fils de Penichon (the son of Penichon), the others crossing the river under Black Dog. They hunted on the Mississippi above the Falls of St. Anthony. SUN-KA TO TA-WA (1) d og (2) blue (3) his. Blue Dog Lake near Waubay on the Coteau des Prairies. It was here many years ago a huge snake appeared (UN-KTE-HI) on the northwest side of the lake. Shortly after, lightning (WA-KIN-YAN) struck repeat­ edly on that side of the lake, apparently the monster’s under­ water cavern. Since that time no one has lived on its shores. SUN-KA-WA-KAN CIN-CA TA PA-HA (1) horse (2) colt (3) d ea d (4) hill. “Dead-Colt-Hill” or “Butte du Poulin Mort. "The small ad­ jacent lake carried the same name. Located two miles northeast of Gwinner, Sargent County, North Dakota. Also known as SUNKA HD E-SKA PA-HA, “Spotted-Horse-Hill.” The horse first ap­ peared in this area about 1750. This was a Sisiton camp site

84 when a spring snowstorm killed some colts, one a favorite who was buried on the hill.—Jos. N. Nicollet SUN-KA-WA-KAN TI-PI—”Dwelling-Place-of-Horses,” or “La Loge de Chevaux. ” Located on the east bank of the Sheyenne

River seven miles west of Finlay, North Dakota, Griggs County, T147-R58. The rendezvous of wild horses, one so large, birds made nests in its mane.—Dana Wright SUN-KA YU-HDA-TA PA-HA (1) d o g (2) to scra tch (3) hill. A small hill on the north side of the PSIN-HU WA-KPA, present day Wild Rice River, southeastern North Dakota. When all the members of the tribe were making a great move, an old wo­ man could not keep up with her people but lagged behind. One morning a large dog or prairie wolf tore her to pieces. The braves went immediately in pursuit of it. When the dog saw them it ran away and was chased over the “Sand Hills.” When a few miles northwest of the Thunder Bird’s Nest, it disappeared or sank in the sand plowing it up some distance and finally dis­ appeared altogether. SUNK-TAN-KA (1) the horse. A long time ago, a warrior, while

attempting to catch his skittish mount, managed only to alarm it further. Plunging into the bay, it escaped to the nearby island. Present day Kopp’s Cove, Prior Lake. Hence the name of a nearby subdivision, Chatonka Beach.—Louise Smith, nee Bluestone, Prior Lake SUNK TO-KE-CA WA-KPA-DAN (1) from SUN-KA, d og (2) the other d o g , that is the w olf (3) creek. The outlet of Circle Lake, Rice County, Minnesota. SU-PE CO-GE MDE (1) guts, intestines (2) to drift (3) lake. This was the location of one of fifteen Scouting Stations established in 1865, under the leadership of M A -K A C E -G A (1) earth (2) ket­ tle; a pot. Commonly translated as “The Jug.” This lake was lo­ cated 18 miles southwest of Fort Wadsworth near Enemy Swim Lake.— Robinson Papers, S.D. Historical Society TA CE-SDE TA-TAN-KA (1) g e n e ric term for a ll rum inating anim als (2) d ung (3) buffalo. “Buffalo-Chips-Lake.” Present day Oakwood Lake in Brookings County, South Dakota. Another part of this chain was known as TI TAN-KA HA. (See TI TAN-KA HA)

85 TA-HIN-CA MDE (1) The com m on deer. This is what is now

called Cleary’s Lake, which is located in Scott County, Minnesota.—Elizabeth Cleary TA KA-GA-PI MDE (1) the m oose (2) to m ake, execute (3) lake. This was the site of an ancient effigy. Present day East Toqua Lake, Graceville, Big Stone County, and the residence of WA-SU l-DE-YA (1) hail (2) set fire to, a Dakota warrior. He was formerly chief scout of the Lake Traverse Camp, one of fifteen camps of Dakotas friendly to the United States following the Sioux Outbreak. This man later had the distinction of being the last Dakota killed by the Ojibwa on Minnesota soil on or about May 1, 1869. The war party was led by the noted Pillager war chief, Flat Mouth from Leech Lake who also took a Dakota woman prisoner by the name of l-CA-GO WIN (1) a m ark o r line drawn (2) woman, translated as “Makes-Her-Mark.” She sub­ sequently escaped and returned to her father, Standing Soldier.—Sam J, Brown ESHKE BOG E COSHE, chief of the Pillagers of Leech Lake. When the French first met him they called him Gueule Platte (amongst themselves), a “g u e u le ” referring to the muzzle of some carnivorous animal such as a dog, and “p la tte ” meaning “flat.” The Ojibwa neither understood this French insult, of course, nor the later and less offensive English translation, Flat Mouth.—Jos. N. Nicollet, in the H. R. Schoolcraft Papers TA KA-GA-PI MDE SUN-KA-KU (1) the m oose (2) to m ake (3) lake (4) his or h er yo un g er brother, implying that the two lakes were related in appearance. Present day West Toqua Lake, Graceville, Minnesota.

TA KA-GA-PI WA-KPA-DAN (1) the g e n e ric term for e lk or moose (2) to m ake (3) a creek. “The-Creek-Where-the-Elk-Was-

Made.” Located near Norwood, Minnesota.—Lily Ross TA-KA-PSI-CA TON-WAN-YAN (1) th e g a m e o f la c ro s s e (2) to d w e ll a t a p la ce. “Village-at-the-Lacrosse-Ground.” A WA-HPE-TON-WAN village located between Belle Plaine and Jordan. WA-KAN-HDI O-HAN-KO (1) lig h tn in g (2) q u ickly, suddenly {commonly translated as “Vivid Lightning”) was head of the village. Also known as “The-Broken-Arm” (Le Bras Casse). The old chief had gained his nickname among the

86

whites in 1795 as a young man in battle among his own people. At the end of the fur trading season many of the hunters from local villages had brought their furs to the Sisiton camp of WAK-ZU-PA-TA, a gathering of 300 lodges, at the mouth of the Cottonwood to await the traders. Payment was made in part with miniwakan (spirit water) resulting in a wild melee in which three were killed and fourteen wounded. The site is called “The-Field-of-the-Unfortunate-Battle.”—Louis Garcia, Devils Lake, North Dakota TA-KA-PSI-CA WA-KPA (1) the gam e o f lacrosse (2) river. Present day La Crosse River in Wisconsin. The Winnebagoes called two hills on the Mississippi River bluffs between the mouths of the Black and La Crosse Rivers, HE-NOOK-WASS, because of the fancied resemblance to those of a woman’s breast.—L.H. Bunnell, MD (See WA-KAN-KA MA-MA) TA-KU-WA-KAN TI-PI (1) the g o d s (2) habitation— '"DwellingPlace-of-the-Gods.” A small hill over-looking the Fort Snelling prairie located between the VA Hospital and Naval Air Station. It was called Morgan’s Hill in pioneer times. This was one of the abodes of the powerful UN-KTE-HI, god of the waters and un­ derworld. A tunnel led from this hill to the Minnesota River per­ mitting easy passage. The caverns under St. Anthony Falls were another of his habitations which were constructed of iron. TA-MA-HE HAN-SKA O-CA-PA (1) the p ik e (2) lo n g (3) to th r u s t in to , a s a k n ife . Present day Pickerel Lake near Waubay, South Dakota. TAN-KA MDE ( 1) large (2) lake. The Winnebago call it NE-NAHHAH-TAIN, translated as “River-Lake” (understood to be large). Present day Lake Pepin. It was probably at this lake in 1680 that Fr. Hennepin and his two companions, Antoine Auguelle and Michel Accault, the leader, were taken captive by a Dakota war party of 120 men in 33 canoes. Hennepin states: “There is a lake 30 leagues farther north which we named Lake of Tears because when the Indians who had taken us wanted to kill us, some of them wept all night to make the others consent to our death.” This curious trait of weeping is found amongst the Caddoan and Siouan speaking tribes, although not among the Ojibwas or

87 other Algonquin groups. It is used especially with appeals of various kinds and at times as part of welcoming ceremonies. Gideon Pond wrote in his recollections: “It is related that as some Dakotas were once passing through Lake Pepin, they sud­ denly found themselves aground in the middle of the lake. Their god had risen to the surface and they were lifted from the wa­ ter on his back. Instantly they were enveloped in clouds and a terrific tempest arose which chilled them with fear. Eagerly they offered their prayers and sacrifices to their venerable “Grandfather” when the wakan monster began slowly to beat his drum, the sound of which was like thunder while his eyes glis­ tened like two moons. Soon the blows fell quicker and lighter and the god chanted as follows: ‘I whirled this wakan, I whirled this wakan, I destroyed this habitation, I whirled this wakan.’ As the chant ceased, a calm succeeded and one Dakota with his wife found himself safe and tranquil on the shore but his com­ panions had all perished. From that time he was a priest of this divinity and was honored with the name UN-KTE-HI DU-TA.” TAN-PA YU-KAN (1) the white b irch (2) a place, to be. Present

day Birch Cooley. ‘‘Riviere aux B outeau.” This area is the south­ western limit of the paper birch. A celebrated battle site during the Sioux Outbreak of 1862.—Jos. N. Nicollet TA PA O-HAN-PI WA-KPA (1) gen e ric term for a ll rum inating animals (2) h ea d (3) broth or soup (4) river. “Where-They-Boiledthe-Buffalo-Head.” Present day Buffalo Creek, the principal tributary of the south fork of the Crow River originating in the boundless prairies. One of the best hunting grounds of the Dakotas.—Lily Ross, Granite Falls

TA-SPAN O WI-TA (1) the re d haw, a p p le s (2) island. Present

day Big Twin Lake, Martin County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet TA-TAN-KA KA-GA-PI (1) the m ale buffalo (2) to make, form or cause to be. An effigy of a buffalo cut out of sod located north of the Mustinka River on a terrace adjacent MDE IN-TPA—“Lakeof-the-End,” immediately north of Lake Traverse on the Minnesota side.—Jos. N. Nicollet

TA-TAN-KA WA-KPA (1 )th e m ale buffalo (2) river. Present day

Buffalo River in Wisconsin below the Chippewa River. The name also applied to Beef Slough, the former resort of great buffalo

88

herds in early days when the Dakotas still resided on Mille Lacs. However, few remained by 1817 and in 1819 had disappeared forever from that area.—Jos. N. Nicollet The Winnebago called it TE (lake) CHAY (buffalo) NE-SHANA-GAH (running water). Apparently in early days the source of this river was a lake.—Frances Perry, Black River Falls TA-TE TO-PA (1 ) w in d (2 ) fou r. West, North, East, and South—these are the Four Winds who are the controllers of the weather, directions, and messengers of the gods. Tate, their father, an associate god, who lived at the entrance of the Spirit Trail (the Milky Way), married l-TE. She bore him four sons: quadruplets, North, West, East and South. The first born, North Wind, became cruel and surly. Therefore, his father took his birthright away giving it to the second son, West Wind. Hence their present order. It is the same l-TE of the cosmic stories who, through her scheming, aspired to take the place of HAN-WI, the Moon, in her place next to Wl, the Sun. For her vanity and ambition, she would return to the world to live without friends. Although she had been entirely beautiful, now only half would be so. The other half would be so ugly that people would be terrified at the sight of her. Henceforth, she would be known as A-NOG (on both sides) l-TE (the face), the Double-Faced Woman, the instigator of dissension, temptation and gossip. (See A-NOG l-TE) TE-WA-PA (1)lily. The site was referred to as “The-Place-of-theLily.” This was the village of sub-chief Eagle Head or HU-YA PA (1) the g ra y eagle (2) head. He was head of a large family, a satellite of Chief SA-KPE. The small lake, present day Rice Lake five miles east of Shakopee, was known as TE-WA-PA MDE; the outlet was TE-WA-PA WA-KPA-DAN. The yellow lotus of which the seeds are edible are considered to have mystic powers.—Jos. N. Nicollet; Rex B. Eisenhauer, deceased resi­ dent of Savage, Minnesota. (See HU-YA PA) TE-WA-PA-DAN WA-KPA (1) lily; an e sculen t root (2) river. “River-of-the-Lily” or “Petite Riviere aux Racines Croches. ” Pre­ sent day Cobb, a tributary of the Le Sueur River—Jos. N. Nicollet TE-WA-PA TAN-KIN-KIN-YAN MDE (1) lotus (2) very large (3) lake. Present day Laura Lake, Blue Earth County.—Jos. N. Nicollet

89 TE-WA-PA TAN-KIN-KIN-YAN WA-KPA (1) lotus (2) very large (3) river. Present day Maple River, Blue Earth County, a tribu­ tary of the Le Sueur River. Also called HDI-HDI-DAN WA-KPA (1) miry, m u d d y (2) river. “Riviere a la Vase,” Muddy River.—Jos. N. Nicollet

TIN-TA MA-GA BO-HPA (1) pra irie (2) swan [from MA-GA TAN­

KA] (3) to sh oo t down. “The-Prairie-Where-the-Swan-Fell-toEarth”—a miraculous occurrence which happened a long time ago, the particulars of the legend long forgotten. Located be­ tween the present towns of Ottawa and Le Sueur, Minnesota. A more recent name was WAN-HI O-KE-DAN TIN-TA (1) arrow flints (2) to m ine (3) prairie. The nearby Le Sueur Creek took the same name, WAN-HI O-KE-DAN WA-KPA (1) arrow flints (2) to mine (3) river. Locally known by the French traders as Prairie la Fleche, or Prairie of the Arrow.—Jos. N. Nicollet TIN-TA O-TON-WE (1) prairie (2) a village. This was commonly

known to be Shakopee’s village.—Jos. N. Nicollet (See SA-KPE) TIN-TA TA-KA-PSI-CA (1) p ra irie (2) the gam e o f lacrosse.

This game was played with homicidal enthusiasm nearing that of outright war. Participants varied, though at times the men of an entire village were engaged on a field a half mile long. Much was wagered as to the outcome: horses, guns, traps, ket­ tles—their entire livelihood. It is believed Little Crow’s village of Kapoza received its name through the swiftness and agility of its players. This prairie was located in Cottage Grove TP, Washington County, Minnesota. (See KA-PO-ZA) It was here in the triangle between the St. Croix and the Mississippi that “Four Horns” was killed, HE TO-PA KTE, “Ou les Quatres Com es a ete tue. ” (1) horns (2) four (3) to kill. What manner of monster was this! Possibly an elk, or moose, or prob­ ably UN-KTE-HI himself, god of the waters and the under­ world.—Jos. N. Nicollet TIN-TA TAN-KA (1) p ra irie (2) large. The largest of the small prairies in southeastern Minnesota encompassing parts of Dakota and Rice counties south to beyond the Iowa border. TIN-TA WI-TA (1) pra irie (2) isla n d (Called “lie P elee” by the

French and “Island-You-Can-Look-Across,” by the Winnebago). Located north of Red Wing’s village and bordered by the

90 Vermillion and Mississippi Rivers. It was here that a refugee group of Ottawas and Hurons, escaping the fierce Iroquois, set­ tled in 1657 for a period of two or three years. They were driven away by the Dakotas after some of the Dakotas had been slain by members of a Huron hunting party. “The name Huron comes from IRRI-RONON, the Iroquois name of the Eries, or ‘Cat Nation.’ The French usually placed an ‘h’ before vowels, as in Hiroquois and Hohio and so also created HIRRI-RONON, which was first abbreviated to HIRR-ON and finally HURON.”—Virgil J. Vogel, Iowa Place Nam es o f Indian Origin TI-PI O-TA (1) habitation (2) many. Known to the French as the Grand Campement located on a small prairie at the mouth of the Zumbro River on the Mississippi flood plain.—L. H. Bunnell, MD. The WA-ZI O-ZU WA-KPA (the Zumbro) (1) pines (2) a g ro ve (3) river, splits into two branches in the Missis­ sippi valley. The north branch is called “R iviere d u G ra n d C a m p e m e n t” and the space between these two branches, “Prairie aux Cypres. ” [L. juniperus] (See WA-ZI O-ZU WA-KPA) TI-PI WA-KAN (1) h a b ita tio n (2) s a c re d — a sacred house, a church. The early mission house of Samuel Pond at Shakopee’s village. Compared to Christian theology, the Dakota hierarchy and power structure is a complicated one. It con­ sists of sixteen persons yet all in the one person of WA-KAN TAN-KA, the great god. He is composed of four ranking supe­ rior gods, each with his own associate god or other selves: (1) the INYAN or Rock, the source of all things, ancestor of all the gods, whose associate is Wakinyan, the winged god, voice of thunder, and giver of revelation; (2) MAKA, the Earth, the Grandmother, patroness of all that grows, whose associate is Whope, the Beautiful One, daughter of the Sun and the Moon, the great mediator, is married to South Wind; (3) SKAN, the Sky, the Great Spirit, the source of all motion and judge of all gods. His associate is Tate, the Wind, controller of the seasons; and (4) Wl, the Sun, chief god and most powerful, whose other self is Hanwi, the Moon, and wife, who sets the time for all important undertakings. The subordinate gods are the issue of the superior and asso­ ciate gods. They are: Tatanka, the Buffalo, patron of generosity; Hunonpa, the Bear, patron of wisdom and medicine; Tate Topa,

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the Four Winds, controller of the four directions and weather; and Yumni, the Whirlwind, god of chance, of games and of love. A very fickle person.—James R. Walker These are followed by the Four Black Spirits of Night: The first is the spirit of the body which dies with the end of life; the second remains always with or near the body; next is the immortal soul which accounts for the deeds of the deceased and goes south (some say west) after death; and the fourth lingers with the small bundle of hair of the deceased and is kept by relatives until they have a chance to throw it back into enemy country where it becomes a roving spirit bringing death and disease. Some ghosts are beneficent, most of them are not. They know all things, even the thoughts of the living.—James W. Lynd In all, they are sixteen in number yet one, all component parts of the Supreme Being, WA-KAN TAN-KA. lya, evil incarnate, is a Wakan Tanka, albeit a deposed one. He does not sit in the ce­ lestial councils, though, together with his cohorts, has retained all his powers and is greatly feared. It must be expressly noted that in later times the missionaries ascribed the term WA-KAN TAN-KA to the God of the Christians, Jehovah, rather than to SKAN, the Great Spirit, the Supreme Being, the third person amongst the superior gods. Ethical questions of right and wrong that preoccupied the Christian were of little concern. Neither did they believe in orig­ inal sin, nor did they consider themselves sinners or worry of nemesis after death. Misdeeds were punished in the present life, not in the next; conversely, the afterlife did not present a moral reward for good deeds performed. The requisite for a successful religious life was the ability to dream well, the ability to communicate through visions with the guardian spirits, the “Grandfathers.” This enabled the suppli­ cant to receive important revelations that would aid him in his daily life. In order to become a tribesman in good standing, it was not necessary to become doctrinaire or to adhere to any set of religious tenets. It was a personal matter and there was no interest in converting anyone. Joseph LeCaron, an early Recollect priest, advised his brethern, “No one must come here

92 in hopes of suffering martyrdom, for we are not in a country where savages put Christians to death on account of religion.” Much to the disappointment of the missionaries, the Indians’ worship seemed to center on attempts to deflect the evil actions of the TA-KU WA-KAN (the gods) instead of praising the Creator for benefits conferred. “They say much in regard to poverty in supplicating their gods yet never speak of their sins nor ask forgiveness for their sins.” TI TAN-KA HA (1) habitation (2) large (3) bark. The place of the great summer lodge or TI-PI TAN-KA. Specifically, Tl or TI-PI signifies a lodge of bark or a summer habitation, while the buffalo lodges employed in travel and winter use are called WA-KE-YA. It was here that a large group of buffalo hunters were caught in a snow storm on the shores of a large lake. Because of a scarcity of wood and tipis, they were adjoined into one large lodge and the people lived there all winter. In the spring the buffalo hides used were taken away but the poles and rem­ nant pieces of bark were left standing. The site is near Arlington, Brookings County, South Dakota, present day Oakwood Lakes.—Jos. N. Nicollet According to Stanley Vestal, the tipi is not a symmetrical cone but a tilted cone, steeper at the back with the smoke hole ex­ tending some distance down the more gently sloping side, or front of the tent. Two flaps, called smoke flaps, ears or wings, flanked the smoke hole and were supported by movable poles to regulate the draft. Tl TAN-KA TA-NI-NA (I) habitation (2) large (3) ancient. This vil­ lage was deemed the oldest village of the Mdewakantonwan at the mouth of Nine Mile Creek. It was known by several names: 0 - YA-TE SI-CA, “Bad People”; the BLE (strangely, intheTI-TON dialect) or Lake Village; also as l-CA-HTA-KA, “to to u c h ” (See 1- CA-HTA-KA). The Mantantonwan (orthography not known though perhaps MDE TAN-(KA) TON-WAN (I) lake (2) large (3) to d w e ll) formerly of Mille Lacs, an extinct branch of the Mdewakantonwan, lived on this site as early as 1689 and before, as recorded by Nicolas Perrot. Chief Wapasha moved to this place in about 1780 making a village totaling over 400 lodges. They hunted the lower Minnesota and the Mississippi Rivers. The village dwindled sharply prior to 1800 as Red Wing

93 and Wapasha with their followers moved to other sites down the Mississippi. (See HE-YA-KA CO-KA (YA) O-WAN-KA) The leader best known to the whites was TA CAN-KU WA-STE (I) his (2) road (3) good, commonly known as “Good Road.” He became chief in 1833. As told by W.J. Snelling in “Tales o f the Northwest, "the lineage is an interesting one. Antoine Penichon* was one of the first traders, among the Dakotas. Born in Montreal of French descent, he became an engage to M. Louis Provencal at White Rock and environs. Later he became a trader himself at Pointe aux Sables, Lake Pepin. He gave out the greater part of his goods, as is common in the Indian trade, to different war­ riors on credit for which he was to receive payment in the spring when their hunt was over. He had taken a wife from among the maidens of Wapasha’s band. When the old chief moved from the village to a new one on the Upper Iowa, his son, Le fils de Penichon, became chief. His personal name was WAN-YAG-YA l-NA-ZIN, “He-SeesStanding-Up.” It was he who “touched the pen” with Zebulon Pike in 1805. His son in turn was known as TA-KO-KI-PA SNI (1) to be fearful (2) negation, interpreted as “The Dauntless,” and the father of Good Road. It is believed both father and son signed the Treaty of 1825 at Prairie du Chien. The Dauntless died in about 1833. Good Road succeeded his father as sachem. Good Road’s son, MA-KATO (1) earth (2) blue —’’Blue Earth,” was born in 1822 and became chief upon his father’s death in 1854. He was a prominent figure in the Sioux Outbreak at Fort Ridgely, Birch Cooley, and at Wood Lake where he was killed. His body was buried in secrecy on the bluffs of the Yellow Medicine. Peter Pond, whose trading career led him to the upper Mississippi River area between 1775 and 1778 composed a nar­ rative of some of his activities there in which he noted that a for­ mer French soldier from the Illinois country had personally told him he had: “Deserted His Post and took his Boat up the Miseeurea among the Indians and Spant Many years among them...He (eventually) Got among the Mondans (Mandans) where he found Sum french traders who Belonged to the french factery at fort Lorain on the Read River, this factery Belong to the french traders of Cannaday. those People toock Pinneshon *See Wisconsin Historical Collections, 1:41; 3:261-263 with refer­ ence to “Old Pinnashon.” In Thwaites opinion, he was none other than Ponnocha nanrno

a trorlar

94 to the factory with them and the Concarn took him into thare Sarvis til the Hole Cuntrey Was Giveen up to the English and then Came in to there Sarvis.” This Frenchman whom Pond called simply “Old Pinneshon,” may have been Pennesha Gegare, a French trader who was among the Sacs and Fox in Wisconsin in 1753. He has also been called in print “Pennensha,” “Penechon” and Mons. “Pinnissance.’’— Early Fur Trade on the Northern Plains by W.R. Wood and T.D. Thiessen This place name is also assigned to present day Cannon Lake on the river of the same name, Rice County, although Jos. N. Nicollet describes it also as “L a c d e s D e u x A n c ie n s V illages” or “Lake-of-the-Two-Ancient-Villages,” two old WAHPE KU-TE sites. Tl ZA-PTAN NA (1) lodge (2) five (3) suffix diminutive. That is to say those that form but five lodges, a small number. It has been a long time since they left the main body of Sisitons and are now composed of fifty lodges divided into two villages. The two chiefs are brothers: l-TE WA-KIN-YAN (1) face (2) thun­ d e r —“Thunder Face” (known to the whites as the Limping Devil), and KI-NI-HAN-PI, “The-One-Who-ls-Respected.” (See HIN-TA HAN-KPAN WO-ZU)—Jos. N. Nicollet TO-KA NI-WAN YA-PI (1) an enem y (2) to swim (3) to cause, to make, from KI-YA-PI. Present day Enemy Swim on the Coteau des Prairies. The Sisitons who were encamped on the southeast corner of the north embayment of this lake were attacked by a Sheyenne raiding party. Not being too familiar with their sur­ roundings, they (the Sheyenne) mistakenly retreated via a point extending into the lake. They found themselves cut off and their only chance of escape was to swim to the north shore. This they endeavored to do, but the Sisitons, mounted on horses, reached the north shore first and killed everyone as they emerged from the water. TUN-KAN (referred to as such in the sacred language but known as IN-YAN, the Rock, a superior god) He was considered the greatest force and power in the land, the ancestor of all things, the patron of the arts, the advocate of authority and vengeance, construction and destruction (See IN-YAN SA). Joseph Nicollet

95 “They (the Dakota) see everything on earth perish except stone. They believe, therefore, that the oldest object merits their veneration, having a spirit. They name the stone TUN-KAN, ‘Grandfather;’ in the style of their religion they invoke it to suc­ ceed in their enterprises and by it they make their oaths. “They make this ceremony for a young girl whose virginity has been questioned and who wishes to justify herself; a married woman accused of adultery; a young man accused of having relations with a girl or stealing a horse; or one having a coup in war for which another wants to claim, etc. “Anyone makes such a ceremony when it is a question of vin­ dicating his or her character. It is a tribunal where the perjurer is trapped. The person who gives the feast wishes to be justi­ fied against his or her accusers. “An old man speaks at the beginning of the ceremony and says if they do not tell the truth they would be punished by the power of the Rock and that of the stick. The perjurer will be punished sooner or later, either himself or his children, or his relatives. The greatest evil they have to fear come from the rocks which crush you, trees which kill you, lightning which strikes you. This is why they swear by the Rock and by the stick—‘my Grandfather, I tell the truth’ or ‘ln-yan wi-ca-ka Tun-kan-si!”’ S ta te s :

UN-CI-SI-CA-DAN Ml-NI-HDO-KA (1) the crow (2) a sp rin g of water. Located on Prairie Island near the Vermillion River. So called because of many wintering crows roosting on the sur­ rounding large cottonwoods.—Irving Campbell (See KAN-GI SUN WA-KPA) 0 0 0 Song of the Crow I am first to come in early spring, ‘Tis I who brings the rain, First of all the birds, And I am called the crow. You may hear my call across the field And know that spring is near I will bring the rain For I am called the crow. —Frances Densmore

96 UN-KCE-KCE-NA (1) the cactus. Present day Lake Poinsett on the Coteau des Prairies country. The French translated this as Lac des Amourettes. These areas often caused much hardship to the Dakota having only their mocassins as protection.—Jos. N. Nicollet UN-KTE-HI (UN—to be, plus TEHIKE—terrible) The “Terrible One.” Often referred to as the Water Spirit, god of the waters and underworld, (a family of gods) Originally, Unktehi was an associate god to MA-KA, the Earth, but was cast into the waters because of an extremely contentious nature. They are of immense proportions. The dwelling place of the male is in the water and the spirit of the female animates the earth. Hence, when the Dakota seems to be praying, chanting, or offering sacrifices to the water or earth, it is to this family of gods that the worship is rendered. They address the male as “Grandfather” and the female as “Grandmother.” Bones of the mastodon are those of this deity which the Dakota preserve with great care in their medicine bags. He is the most feared and respected of all gods, who captured men and trans­ formed them into beasts. It was he who gave the Dakota the sacramental medicine sack and also prescribed the manner in which some of the pigments must be applied in the medicine dance and on the warrior as he went into battle. “His subordinates are the serpent, lizard, frog, ghost, owl and eagle. The evils threatened against the unfaithful were as follows: If disloyal to the precepts, you cannot escape detection and punishment. Should you enter the forest to hide, the black owl is there; if you descend into the earth, serpents are there; if you flee into the air, the eagle will pursue you; and if you go into the water, there I am.”—Gideon Pond A chant of this terrible demon indicates the character of this god in the estimation of his worshippers.-—“I lie mysteriously across the lake, I lie mysteriously across the lake. It is by decoying some soul, I may eat him alive”—Gideon Pond. In winter, the booming thunder in the frozen lakes and rivers is caused by this frightful monster in order to give sufficient air to his underwater allies. (See TAN-KA MDE) UN-KTO-MI (also spelled l-KTO-MI) (1) the Spider. The imp of mischief, a son of IN-YAN the Rock. His original name was KSA,

97 god of wisdom, who invented language and gave all animals their names. Because of his unprincipled use of power, SKAN, the Sky, condemned him to live in the world below, to suffer loss of wisdom supplemented by a cunning that would entrap him in his own schemes. Among his few friends are l-YA, the evil spirit whom he often fools, and A-NOG-I-TE, the Two-Faced Woman, the one who incites dissension, temptation, and gossip. U-PAN KU-TE (1 )th e fem ale elk (2) to shoot a t anything. “WhereThey-Shoot-At-the-Elk.” The place “ou ils tirent a la b ic h e ." Located on the Missouri River bottoms near the mouth of the Big Sioux.—Jos. N. Nicollet U-TA PA-HI-DA (1) acorns (2) to gather up. This site was lo­ cated in the Lake Benton area and was a place where acorns were gathered from the white oaks. Acorns were first roasted in a bed of coals. When they popped from the bed they were col­ lected, boiled, dried and crushed with a cherry pounder. Mixed with fat, the acorn stored well and made an excellent mush. In I860 Lean Grizzly Bear was the presiding chief in this area.—Jos. N. Nicollet U-TU-HU O-ZU (1) oak (black) (2) grove; also to plant. Called by the French “Les Talles de Chenes. "A celebrated place where the TI-TON came to trade horses for French trade goods from the l-HANK-TON-WAN, l-HANK-TON-WAN-NA and SI-SI-TONWAN circa 1825 (See SI-SI-TON-WAN).—Jos. N. Nicollet U-TU-HU SA-PA (1) the b la ck oak (2) black. A lake located four

miles northeast of Montevideo, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet U-TU-HU WI-TA-DAN (1) the b la c k oak (2) a sm a ll island. This is probably now known as Boone Lake in Renville County. The name applied not so much to the lake as to the entire oasis or grove.—Jos. N. Nicollet WA-BE (1 )a h atching place. Located on the Coteau des Prairies.

Present day Waubay, South Dakota.—Jos. N. Nicollet WABIZIPINIKAN ZIBI (Ojibwa) “The-Place-of-the-Swan-

Potato,” a kind of fruit produced by a very prolific aquatic plant on the Mississippi and tributaries. It is also known as arrowhead or duck potato. The French called it “la pom m e de eigne, "swan potato. It is equivalent to the Dakota PSIN-CIN-CA. This place

98 name applies to the present day Wapsipinecon in northeastern Iowa; also to the present day Apple River, Wisconsin, which en­ ters the St. Croix,—Jos. N. Nicollet WA-GA MDE (also WA-GA O-ZU MDE) (1) cottonw ood (2) lake (3) O-ZU, a grove. Present day Eagle Lake, Martin County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

WA-GA HAN WAN-ZI WA-KPA (1) cottonw ood (2) to stand (3) one o r som e (4) river. “River-Where-There-Are-Just-a-FewCottonwoods,” or “Riviere d ’un L ia rd .” This is today known as the source of the Blue Earth River, although in early times it was considered merely a fork. (See MI-NI A-KI-PAM KA-DUZA)—Jos. N. Nicollet

WA-GA HDE-HDE (1) cottonw ood (2) scattered. The place “ou i l y ’a des Hards.” Located a few miles east of present day city of Blue Earth, Faribault County. Also the name of a lake a few miles west of Huntington, Iowa.

WA-GA O-ZU WA-KPA (1) cottonw ood (2) a grove (3) river.

“The-River-Where-There-Are-Cottonwoods.” “R iv ie re d e s L ia rd s .” Present day Cottonwood River (See WAK-ZU-PATA).—Jos. N. Nicollet WA-GA O-ZU W A-KPA SUN-KA-KU (1 ) c o tto n w o o d (2 ) a g ro v e (3 ) riv e r (4 ) a y o u n g e r b ro th e r, im p ly in g a c lo s e likeness in a ppearance. The present day Little Cottonwood

River.—Jos. N. Nicollet WAH-CIN-CA WA-KPA-DAN (1) the aspen or sm all co tto n ­ w ood (2) creek. “Riviere aux Trembles. "This is present day Fort

Ridgely Creek. W A-HPE-KU-TE (1 ) leaf, le a v e s (2 ) to shoot. The “Leaf-

Shooters” who lived chiefly on the headwaters of the Blue Earth and Cannon Rivers. Formerly a nomadic tribe without villages. That is why they do not add TON-WAN to their tribal designa­ tion. One of their leaders was known as SA-KE SKA (1 )th e claws o f b ird s a n d beasts; the hooves o f anim als (2) white. This was commonly translated as “White Nails.” This group was one of four divisions of the Isanties (Santees).—Jos. N. Nicollet WA-KAN-KA MA-MA (1) o ld woman (2) breast, milk, mother. This refers to two hills near La Crosse, Wisconsin, so named be-

99 cause of their resemblance to a woman’s breast. It is interest­ ing to note that despite the great dissimilarity between English and Dakota, MA-MA means milk and PA-PA is meat. (See TAKA-PSI-CA WA-KPA) WA-KAN O-ZAN-ZAN (1) sa cre d (2) light. Poorly translated as Medicine Bottle by the whites. His small village was located near Pine Bend north of Hastings, a sub band under Little Crow. A highly respected man as chief as well as medicine man. The late Norman Crooks who resided near Prior Lake was a descendant. Following the mass hangings of the 38 Dakotas at Mankato, both Shakopee (Little Six) and Wakanozanzan were executed at Fort Snelling, November 11,1865, for their part in the Sioux Outbreak. WA-KAN TI-PI (1) sa cre d (2) habitation. Carver’s Cave below Dayton’s Bluff, St. Paul. The common intersection of the roads of communication between the three original villages was pre­ cisely at this place. It was here the dead were brought, placing them on scaffolds then later burying them in the adjacent mounds. (See O-TON-WE WA-KPA-DAN)—Jos. N. Nicollet WA-KAN TO-PA O-WE (1) s p irit (2) four (3) trail. “Four Spirit’s Trail.” This trail beginning at Chief Red Wing’s village, passed through the present town (where it is now called Central Avenue), then over Sand Hill and between Twin Bluffs. This route became the town of Red Wing’s first road-building project in 1854 and led to Mazeppa thence to Zumbrota.—Angell & Miller, The Life & Times o f a M innesota Pioneer

WA-KAN NI-WAN (1 ) a s p irit, s a c re d (2 ) to sw im . “TheSwimming-Place-of-the-Gods.” This was the name of Artichoke Lake, Big Stone County, because a long time ago a black bear was known to swim across it.—Stephen R. Riggs A plant of the genus Allionia (a wild four o’clock), which blooms in May, is found in the limestone hills. It has a bulbous root and is the famous bear-root of the Dakota. It has the power to make them discover the bear when they have it in their mouth, in their medicine bag or around their neck and for which they have a ceremony in advance. They call this plant WA-HANKSI-CA (the black bear), TA (his or her), PE-ZU-TA (herbs or medicines of all kinds) and translated, “The-Black-Bear’sMedicine.”—Jos. N. Nicollet

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“Bears make prodigious ravages in the brush and willows; the plum trees are torn to pieces, and every tree that bears fruit has shared the same fate; the tops of the oaks are also very roughly handled, broken and torn down to get the acorns. The havoc they commit is astonishing; their dung lies about in the woods as that of buffalo in the meadow.”—Alexander Henry, Fur Trader o f the N orthw est C om pany

This lake also carried another name: PAN-GI O-KA MDE (1) the artichoke (2) to d ig into, d ig through (3) lake —Warren

Upham. This fruit can be eaten raw, boiled or roasted, but not dried and preserved. WA-KAN WA-PA-HA (1) sa cre d (2) hat. Present day Sacred Heart Creek. This was so named from a trader of olden times, a Mr. Patterson, who lived there and wore a curious bearskin cap. The bear was considered sacred by the Dakotas.—Rev. S.R. Riggs. The name eventually changed to Sacred Heart. WA-KIN-YAN The name comes from the words WA-KAN, a god; plus KIN-YAN a flying or winged thing. Hence, “Winged God” (commonly called the Thunder Bird). An associate god to Inyan, the Rock. The thunder is the sound of their voices. Lightning is the missle or TON-WAN of these Thunder Beings who live and fly through the heavens shielded by thick clouds from mor­ tal vision. They are of terrific proportions. It is they who created the wild rice and a variety of prairie grass. They are cruel and destructive in disposition and are forever on the warpath. (See WAN-YE-CA O-ZU WA-KPA) A mortal hatred exists between them and the family of UNKTE-HI, god of the waters and underworld. Neither has the power to resist the TON-WAN (spiritual essence or power) of the other and are often surprised and killed. From the WA-KIN-YAN, the Dakota has received his war implements, the spear and tom­ ahawk and many of the pigments, which, if properly applied, will shield him from the weapons of his enemies. These powers both protect and destroy.They are both good and bad. Thunder Beings are never prayed to but defied. WA-KIN-YAN dwells in the west on a high mountain top. The cedar tree is his favorite and he never strikes it with lightning as its smoke is pleasing and will appease him.

101

WA-KIN-YAN HO-HPI (1) the Thunderers; the Thunder B ird (2) nest. Located in the sand hills one mile east of Hankinson North Dakota; it is the place where the Thunder Beings were born.—Jos. N. Nicollet

WA-KIN-YAN KI-CA-KSA (1) the g o d o f thu n der (2) s p lit or cu t in two (3) lake. ‘‘Lac Coupe p a r le Tonnerre. ” Exact location not known. This possibly may be present day Swan Lake southeast of Esterville, Iowa.—Jos. N. Nicollet

WA-KIN-YAN O-WE (1) the g o d o f thunder (2) track. Located

a short distance west of Brown’s Valley near the Little Minnesota River. A few miles to the north of this site is another track (location not known) called WA-KIN-YAN O-WE SUN-KA-KU (1) g o d o f thunder (2) track (3) a yo u n g e r brother; re la ted in some way. One day during a fearful storm, the Thunder Bird

alighted on a large rock about four miles from Brown’s Valley. Here may be seen his tracks deeply cut in the rock. About two miles north of this rock is another that has the same imprint upon it. This is the Thunder Bird’s Track Brother. A great storm flooded the entire country and the mound upon which the rock was located was all that remained above water. WA-KIN-YAN O-WE MDE (1) g o d o f thunder (2) track (3) lake.

This is the present day swamp to the east of Peever, South Dakota—Jos. N. Nicollet WA-KIN-YAN O-WE PA-HA (1) Thunder B ird (2) track (3) hill. This is the long ridge east of Peever South Dakota, upon which is found the Thunder’s Track.—Jos. N. Nicollet WA-KPA CI-STIN-NA (1) river (2) small. “Little River.” Present

day Minnehaha Creek.—Gideon Pond WA-KPA-DAN TAN-KA (1) a sm all creek (2) large. This small

stream with a large valley flows into the Mississippi from the Wisconsin area opposite Prairie Island. Present day Big River, Pierce County, Wisconsin. W A-KPA HE CO -K A W AN-KA (1 ) r iv e r (2 ) a h ig h h ill (3) the m id d le (4) to lie. Called by the French the “R iviere de la B u tte d u M illie u . ” This is the present day Beaver

Creek which enters the Big Sioux River at Canton, South Dakota.—-Jos. N. Nicollet

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WA-KPA l-PA-KSAN (1) river (2) a b e n d in a river or lake. This refers to the upper portion of the Big Sioux River above the falls. (See CAN-KA-SDE-CA)—Jos. N. Nicollet WA-KPA MI-NI SO-TA* (1) riv e r (2) w a ter (3) tra nsluce n t, blearish, as in the expression l-STA SO-TA (1) eye (2) bleary, “bleary-eyed.” The Dakotas considered Lac qui Parle, “TheLake-That-Talks,” the source of the Minnesota River. The stream entering the lake, (the upper Minnesota) thence up to its ultimate source, was to them the PTAN SIN-TE WA-KPA (1) otter (2) tail (3) river, hence the name of their village at Brown’s Valley. This descriptive name comes from the long, tapering strip of land between Lake Traverse (MDE HDA-KIN-YAN, “The-Lake-ThatLies-Crosswise,” i.e., at right angles to Big Stone Lake), and the present day Little Minnesota River as it slips close by only to enter Big Stone farther south. The Ottertail River above mentioned should not be con­ fused with another in Ojibwa country called NIGIGWANOWE ZIBI in present day Ottertail County. The lake from which this river was named gained its peculiar designation from a long and narrow sandbar having an outline suggestive of the tail of an otter, formed very long ago and now covered with woods. This river was considered to continue from this lake to its junction with Red River at Grand Forks. Though the upper portion was called Ottertail, it was still considered the source of Red River. The Ojibwa called the Minnesota River the Young Leaf River, alluding to its early foliage while their own northern country was still standing exposed and leafless. This stream, later called the St. Peter, was according to Jonathon Carver, named for Captain Jacques LeGardeur de Ste. Pierre. In 1737 he com­ manded Fort Beauharnois on Lake Pepin. Some erroneously believed it was named after the saint himself or from the fact the lower valley was free from stones—sans pierres.—Jos. N. Nicollet WAK ZU PA-TA (1) from WA-GA, the cottonw ood (2) ZU, from O-ZU, a grove (3) a t the head, from IN-KPA-TA. “Village-at-theEnd-of-the-Cottonwood.” A Sisiton village.—Louis Garcia, Devil’s Lake, N.D. * It is here at the mouth of the MA-KA-TO WA-KPA that the WA-KPA MI-NI-SO-TA makes an abrupt turn northeastward and called KA-HMIN, “The Bend.” from “O ld Traverse des Sioux" by Thomas Hughes.

103 WA MAN (1) sn ow (2) nest. This site lies northwest of Enemy Swim Lake and is so-called because snow lies there longer than anywhere else in the neighborhood. WA-MDU-SKA TI-PI (1) snakes (2) habitation. “The-Place-ofSnakes.” Also known as MI-NI-SO-TA MDE (1) opaque water (2) lake. Present day Minnesota Lake, Faribault County.—Jos. N. Nicollet WA-MDU-SKA YA-TA-PA-PI (1) snakes (2) to bite to death. The ‘‘riviere serpents q u ’ils c re v a ita v e c les dents. "A translation pre­ pared by Sam Brown gives this version: “Made-Blind-by-theBite-of-a-Snake .” Located in Spinks County, South Dakota, right bank of the James River.—Jos. N. Nicollet “Once a group of l-HANK-TON-WAN were camping along the Snake River. They feared an attack from enemy Indians whom they knew were in the vicinity. One evening as they sat in their camp, a member of an enemy tribe came staggering into their shelter. He showed no sign of fear, and the Dakotas soon saw why. The man had been scalped alive but had apparently been left before the job had been completed. The loose scalp, attached only by a small piece of skin, flopped down over his face. With his hands the man pushed the scalp back and held it there. His whole face sagged, giving him an unearthly appearance. He sat by the fire groaning. They gave him food and water, and when he was able, he told his tale. He said that he had been scalped by members of yet another enemy tribe (not named) and that because of this he was forever disgraced among his own village even should he live. The l-HANK-TONS gave him food and he went on his way condemned to live in solitude.”—As told by Cecil Provost in P lains A nthropology, James H. Howard To lose one’s scalp to the enemy was to lose control over one’s life, to become socially and spiritually dead. Scalping seems to have been originated by the Indians. In 1535, Cartier was shown the skins of five men’s heads stretched on a hoop, like parch­ ment. Hernando DeSoto’s men in 1540 mention scalping as an established cultural fact. It was not necessarily a fatal operation. WA-NA-GI KA-GA-PI (1) ghost, s p irit (2) to make, im itate. The place “ou ils fo n t le re v e n a n t.” “Imitates-a-Ghost.” An

104 l-HANK-TON shaman who lived there impersonated a ghost in some sort of ceremony. The Poncas and Mahas have named it, “Where-the-Spirits-Are-Painted.” On a rock near the mouth of Emanuel Creek in the Missouri River flood plain they have painted human characters with wings, birds, and animals. WA-NA-GI PA-ZO-DAN (1) sp irit (2) a sm all hill. The spirit of a

Dakota mother whose only child was drowned in the lake dur­ ing a storm many years ago, often wails at midnight on this hill. A small point at the entrance to Wayzata Bay, Lake Minnetonka. WA-NA-GI WI-TA (1) a ghost, sp irit (2) island. Spirit Island is

located immediately below St. Anthony Falls. (See O-WA-MNlYO-MNI, the Legend of Clouded Day) WAN-HI YU-KAN (1) flint o r arrow head (2) there is —Jos. N. Nicollet. Presently called the Grand Meadow Guarry, located near the middle branch of the Root River, Grand Meadow TP, Mower County. One of the few sites found in Minnesota where spear and arrow points, scrapers and other artifacts were actu­ ally quarried. Originally covering thirty or forty acres, it is estimated the site was worked over 9,000 years.—Maynard Green, Grand Meadow, Minnesota WAN-HIN-KPE KA-GA-PI (1) arrow; also used collectively for both b ow a n d arrow (2) to make. A large outline of a bow and arrow on the bluff-side near Hager City, Wisconsin. The bisect­ ing limestone strata represents the arrow which points down the valley towards Lake Pepin. The origin of this ancient effigy was unknown to later historic tribes.—Jos. N. Nicollet Though use of the bow and arrow is recorded as early as 7,000 B.C. in the Old World, it is believed its use in the western hemi­ sphere was no earlier than circa A.D. 500. Excessive dampness and scarcity of suitable wood in the crossing of the Bering Strait precluded its use. It had to be reinvented.— Indian a n d Eskimo A rtifacts o f North A m erica by Charles Miles

WAN-HIN-KPE WA-KPA (1) arrow (2) river. This is the present

day Isabel River near Bay City, Wisconsin, at the head of Lake Pepin—Jos. N. Nicollet WAN-HIN YAN-KA DAN (1) an arrow (2) reference to a p la ce (3) diminutive. Beltrami wrote on ascending the Minnesota River:

105 “We came to a magnificent prairie called “The Arrow.” A great block of granite is visible on the left and has been painted with nose, eyes, and mouth.” Also known to the French traders as “Prairie aux Fleches, ” or Prairie-of-the-Arrow. (See TIN-TA MAGA BO-HPA) Located between the present towns of Ottawa and Le Sueur, Minnesota. WAN-MDI HO-HPI (1) w ar e ag le (2) n e s t (See Cap Kiliou). A bluff facing the M ississippi, east bank, north of the Trempealeau River near Fountain City, Wisconsin. A favorite resort of the war eagle. Nicollet stated that the Dakotas brought the decaying remains of birds to the top of this high bluff in order to attract and capture the eagle for its highly prized feathers.—Jos. N. Nicollet WAN-MDI WA-KPA-DAN (1) the war eagle (2) creek. Located adjacent to the Eagles’ Nest at present day Fountain City, Wisconsin.—Jos. N. Nicollet WAN-YE-CA MDE (1) rushes (2) lake. Present day Rice Lake west of Lake Elysian, Waseca County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet WAN-YE-CA O-ZU WA-KPA (1) rushes (2) where they g ro w (3) river. The present day Rush River near Flenderson, Minne­ sota. “Riviere a la Freie. ” An Indian and his family were descending the Minnesota River when a few miles above present day Henderson they observed an immense fish which was spouting water from its head. It was spotted all over. The Thunder Bird attacked it, hurling lightning at it as it con­ tinued down the river. The fish, the UN-KTE-HI, god of the wa­ ters and underworld, would dive and surface again and spout a mighty jet at the Thunder Bird. The Indians followed them to see the results of the battle. It continued for some three miles until near Henderson the huge fish became so enraged and maddened with pain by the incessant bolts of lightning that he tore his way headlong through the bank reentering the river two miles below. This place is now a sluggish channel called the Devil’s Elbow. Finding shelter in the bluff, his point of entry con­ tinues to send forth water to this day. Joseph Brown declares that when Henderson was laid out, there was no spring or ravine at that point where both may be seen today.

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WAN-YE-CA WA-KPA-DAN (1) rushes (2) creek. This refers to present day Rush Creek which empties into the Mississippi near Champlin, Minnesota. WAPAGASET (Ojibwa) “White-Pelican-Lake.” Located in Polk County, Wisconsin WA-PA-HA SA (1) a standard, a banner, a flag. (2) the color red. Commonly pronounced WA-PA-SA. The name of Wapasha’s vil­ lage at present day Winona. His people were so diminished by sickness and wars that in order to repopulate, they had to renounce the strict custom among the Dakotas not to marry relatives. Zebulon Pike’s general census among the Dakota showed a ratio of 54 men to 100 women; and so decimated had the Sac, Winnebago and Menomonees become by inter-tribal wars, that there were four women to every man. The other bands of Dakotas called Wapasha’s village KI-YU-KSA, “Those-WhoBreak-the-Laws.” It is possible that either TIOSCATE (orthography unknown) who died in Montreal in 1696 or WAKANTAPE who followed TIOSCATE as chief of the MAN-TAN-TON, was the father of that legendary figure known as WA-PA-SA, a mixture of both Ojibwa and Dakota blood. WA-PA-SA I, Who was born about 1718, be­ came a great leader of his people and experienced the historic conflict, the Battle of Kathio at Mille Lacs, where the Mdewakantons were forced from their ancestral ho'me to even­ tually settle on the lower Minnesota River. He gained the devo­ tion of his people by voluntarily offering himself as hostage to the French in 1740 and later the English in 1760 in Quebec when members of the tribe had executed a number of white traders. “WA-PA-SA II became chief following his father’s death in about 1776. He sided with the British during the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. He died circa 1837.” “WA-PA-SA III (Joseph), assuming leadership, had opposed the Indian Uprising in 1862, and died in exile at Santee, Nebraska, in 1876.” “WA-PA-SA IV (Hda-kin-yan—Crosswise) was the last chief of this most illustrious dynasty.” “WA-PA-SA V (HE-BO—Spread Horns), born on the Santee Reservation in 1884, returned to the Lower Sioux Agency in

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Minnesota with his father in 1901. However, he was forced to re­ turn because of the hostility of the Indians toward the memory of his grandfather, Joseph, who had opposed the Uprising. Hebo died in St. Paul, 1970, and was buried at Morton, Minnesota. A son, George, a Marine sergeant, died at Anzio, February 8, 1944.”—Rev. Joseph G. Esser, Ortonville, Minnesota Present day Sugar Loaf, called “Place-of-Standing-Stone,” or EE-NEE-BO-SAH-RA-JA-RA by the Winnebago.—Frances Perry, Black River Falls WA-SE O-YU-ZE WA-KPA ( 1) re d paint, vermillion, from the w ord WA-SE-SA (2) to take (3) river. The Vermillion River, South Dakota. The l-HANK-TONS mined limonite, a yellow iron ore which turns red when heated. A village was located at the mouth of this stream. “La riviere ou ils prennaient du vermillion. ”—Jos. N. Nicollet WA-SE-SA WA-KPA (1) re d p aint, verm illion (2) river. The Vermillion River Dakota County, Minnesota. Vermillion or red ocher was obtained by the Dakotas in seams of sandstone in the middle reaches of this river. (See O-WO-BO-PTE WA-KPA) Still another name was HU-TA HI-YA-YA WA-KPA (1) the m ar­ gin o f a river or lake (2) to g o p a s t or go b y (3) river. This name was applicable only as it paralleled the high wooded bluffs of the Mississippi flood plain on the right bank in contrast to the low, swampy marshes of Prairie Island.—MA-KA WA-STE-WIN, Good Earth Woman, as recorded by Frances Densmore. WA-SIN HA-PI MDE (1) fat, not frie d out; fat m eat (2) to b u ry (3) lake. “The-Lake-Where-They-Hide-the-Buffalo-Fat.” Called by the French the “Lac ou ils cachent le gras.” A small lake in Worthington, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet WATAB SAGAIIGUN (Ojibwa) “Spruce-Roots-Lake,” with which canoes are sewed. Located five miles due west of Sauk Rapids and the first lake up the Watab River.—Jos. A. Gilfillan WATAB ZIBI (Ojibwa) “Spruce-Roots-River.” Present day Watab River, Stearns County, Minnesota.—Jos. A. Gilfillan WA-TO-HA (1) a portage. WA-TON-WAN KTE-PI WA-KPA This place name is not clearly understood. (1) The p re fix WA m ay refer to WA-HAN-KSI-CA, the b la ck bear. (2) TON WAN, in this context is to look, to see

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108 (3) where they killed (4) river. “Riviere ou ils tue Watonwan, celui q u i a I ’oeil sur to u t”— The-River-Where-They-Killed-Watonwan-

He-Who-Saw-Everything.” This is the present day south fork of the Watonwan River. A lake named Dry Wood Lake is the source of this stream and is within a mile or so of the Des Moines River.—Jos. N. Nicollet WA-ZI O-ZU WA-KPA (1) pines (2) a grove (3) river. This is the present day Riviere des Embarras (pronounced ZUM BA RAH)—its mouth being choked by flotsam and debris. Sometimes called the Embarrassment River by the American traders. All this was changed by anglicizing the name to Zumbro simply by adding an “o.” The village and township names add a syllable, the Dakota suffix “TA” (from A-TA) meaning at, to, or on, that is, the town (implied) on the Zumbro—a combination of Dakota, French and English. Large white pines, far west of their range, grow on the bluffs in the eastern part of Wasioja TP, Dodge County, as also in Mantorville and, of course, Pine Island in the middle branch of the Zumbro—Jos. N. Nicollet WA ZI YA (1) sn o w (2) g re en , from ZI-YA-TO (3) to m u r­ m ur. —“The-Murmurings-of-the-Pines”—the north, in the land of the ghosts. Others say the world is divided into two parts: WAZI YA (1) p in e s (2) to speak, from the word l-A, “The-Murmurings-of-the-Pines”; the north country; the god of the North. The circle on the map represents the world. Topmost is WAZI-YA, the North Wind, in the midst of a snowstorm. Above him to the right are the wolves, the A-KI-CI-TA (marshals or camp police) who fight the battles. When he wants cold weather he sends them forth to battle the god of the South, l-TO-KA-GA. When the battle commences, the wolves are aided with a snow storm. A terrible conflict ensues; the Southern god retreats, cold weather prevails, snow and frost appear, and the world is frozen. The god of the South is seen below in a rainstorm. As spring approaches, l-TO-KA-GA, desiring warm weather, sends out his A-KI-CI-TA, the crow and the plover, armed with warclubs, and assisted by a thunderstorm, to attack the wolves. The thunder­ storm melts the snow and ice, the crow and plover fall upon the wolves with their warclubs, and after a severe contest, sue-

109 ceed in beating them to pieces and drowning WA-ZI-YA in a flood of spray arising from the melting of ice and snow. Thus, these two gods will battle for warm and cold weather as long as the world shall stand. When one or the other is defeated, a young god remains at home—to renew the conflict at the next season.—Charles Eastman The A-KI-CI-TA, in their zeal for duty and the execution of their assignment, go so far as to kill those who resist their entry. Also, when they are in the service of whites, especially, before leaving they say, “I am going to the dead, the spirits,” making an allusion that if they kill for duty they will be killed in re­ venge.—Jos. N. Nicollet In the division of time, days are expressed as nights or sleeps; months are expressed as moons; and years as winters. The Dakota are more realistic than the whites, ascribing five months to winter and summer, leaving only April and October to spring and fall. The village of Wayzata, a name coined by the whites, takes its name from this deity because of its location on the north side of the lake. WA-ZU-STE-CA YAN-KA (1) straw berry (2) a place. This re­ ferred to the back part of the La Crosse prairie as it was a noted place for large strawberries.—L.H. Bunnell, MD, 1897 WIBUDJIWANONG (Ojibwa) “The-Rapids-at-the-Contractionof-the-River.” The dalles of the St. Croix. (Taylor Falls, Minnesota)—Jos. N. Nicollet WI-CA NI-WAN (1) raccoon (2) to swim. Present day St. Francis River, Sherburne County, Minnesota. De L’isle in his map of 1702 gives the name “R iviere du c h a t q u i n a g e ”-—" River-of-theSwimming-Cat.” (The raccoon was not known in Europe.) WI-CA-STA WA-KAN (1) man (2) sacred. There are many types of medicine men, but the most eminent of these is the visionary. Fie represents WA-KAN TAN-KA and speaks for him, interprets dreams, and knows all the sacred dances and ceremonies as well as heals the sick. One of his primary responsibilities is the curing of illness which is due to supernatural causes. It is through sacrifice and ceremony that he propitiates the spirits in securing their aid. Sacramentals such as the smoke of the sweet

grass are used to attract the benevolent spirits, while sage is employed to repel the evil ones. He was both doctor and priest, possessing extraordinary spiritual power, far more than his Christian counterpart whose role as intermediary was one of humble petitioner. The shaman’s influence with the TA-KU WA-KAN (the gods) was an intimate one found in the realms of both good and evil. Thus, he was feared as well as he was revered. While he performed many beneficent acts for his fellow tribesmen, he could cause, as well as cure, witchcraft. “In the European world Latin was selected as the language of the educated. By using a specific universal language, educated people could communicate with each other although each lived in a different country, speaking a different native language and studying diverse subjects. However, this method of communi­ cation set these people apart from the rest of their countrymen. None of the populace could understand them—they spoke a different language. When they did speak in their native tongue, it was interspersed with unintelligible words. To the Dakota this is called “wohdaka wakan” or “sacred language.” To the Indian it serves the same purpose as Latin. It keeps knowledge from people who have not paid for it or earned it through diligence or study. It also protects the common people from knowledge which may harm them physically or psychologically. Use of a different language by a few sets up a system of elitism. In our society this is designated by the term “doctor” and by the Dakota,“wicasta wakan” (medicine man) which translates as “sacred man,” a generic term which refers also to women.”—Louis Garcia, B iology From the Dakota Point o f View

WI-CA TA MDE (1) raccoon (2) d e a d (3) lake. A lake at the head of the northern branch of the Redwood River. Present day Dead Racoon Lake, Lincoln County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet Wl HMUN-KA (1) the sun (2) a trap or snare. The rainbow. WIN-KTA WAN ICI-KTE KIN (1) transvestite (2) a (3) suicide (4) the. Also called WIN-KTA HNA-KA (1) transvestite (2) to bury. This lake, present day Grass Lake is one of the sources of the Big Sioux. Four of the winter counts show a figure in women’s clothing who has hanged herself (himself) from a tree or pole.

Ill However, in the High Dog or Swift Dog winter counts, a penis is drawn on the “woman” to indicate a transvestite. Vestal’s Hunkpapa count for the year 1839 states his name as “Grass” in the year 1838. The actual location of this incident was not shown, however, Joseph Nicollet passed by about the same year and indicates it approximately on his map as Lac Bardache. The late Paul Warcloud states that a transvestite was highly regarded among the Dakotas. It is very unusual, too, that he committed suicide. Perhaps that is the reason why it was recorded in the winter count. WI-NO-HIN-CA KTE-PI (1) a woman, women (2) to kill, with the PI suffix chan g in g to the plural. “La ou ils ont tue la femme. ” A well known spring at present day Riley Creek, Eden Prairie. This Dakota woman was scalped and left for dead by the Ojibwas. She survived the ordeal, lived to marry and to see and enjoy her grandchildren.—Jos. N. Nicollet WI-NO-HIN-CA NOM KI-CI-KTE-PI (1 ) a w om an, w om en (2) contraction o f NON-PA, two (3) to kill each other. “La p etite riviere ou les d eu x fem m es se so nt tuees. "The two women were

married to the same husband and killed themselves in a fit of jealousy. Present day Pell Creek west of Lamberton, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet WI-NO-HCA O-ZU (1) an o ld woman (2) a b o u t to die o f o ld age.

“Where-the-Old-Woman-Was-Left-to-Die.” “Le D e se rt d e la Femme. ” Probably Wilmert Lake, Silver Lake TP, Martin County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet WIN-YAN KA-STA-KA-PIMDE (1 )a woman (2) to strike, to beat, whip (3) lake. Known to the French as the “Lac de la grande butte ou ils ont taille la femme— une fem m e adultere. ’’ Present

day Punished-Woman’s-Lake. Also known as WI-I-YA-HPA-YA (1) to com m it rape; or WIN-YAN SAN BA-SPA-PIWA-KPA-DAN (1) fem ale (2) vagina (3) to c u t up (4) creek. “The-Creek-Wherethe-Woman-Had-Her-Vagina-Cut-Out.” Though the story has several variations, the circumstances have a familiar ring. Wewake and her young man, Big Eagle, were very much in love. However, an old man, a chieftan of considerable influence, was accepted by the father of the young woman as the one who could bring the family most honor. During the wedding feast, Big Eagle

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stole the pretty maiden and they ran off together. The warriors of the village soon found the lovers bringing them back to face certain punishment. In his anger the old chief killed the young man ordering Wewake bound to a tree. Calling the people together and ex­ horting them to fear their example, he was killed when a bolt of lightning from a clear sky struck him. To this day, two stone piles are to be seen on the south shore of this lake in memory of the two lovers. Also known as Wl (from WIN-YAN, a woman ) plus l-YO-PE-YA, to punish. WIN-YAN PSI-CA (1) a w om an (2) to ju m p . Maiden Rock,

Wisconsin, a high cliff overlooking Lake Pepin. The place where a young woman jumped from the cliff rather than submit to the wishes of her parents to marry an honored but ancient warrior. The following is found in poetic verse of another more inde­ pendent young maiden in solving an “age old” problem.

0 0 0 The Snow Shoe Go, go away, you foolish man; You certainly had best Give up all thoughts of marriage vows, And let a body rest. What need to ask for who or what This snow shoe I repair? You poor old man, your tottering weight This shoe will never bear. And now I think of it, I say, You need not come again, To light a match at father’s lodge; For that is toil in vain I’ll be so deaf I will not wake For whisper, song, or shout. And if the match forever burns, I will not blow it out.

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I’d rather with Keskarrah live In wigwams made of snow, And eat raw fish all winter long, Like savage Esquimaux, Than dwell with you in leathern tents With scarlet all so fine, ' And eat from copper kettles too, For I should weep and pine What if your eye like lightning flashed, When life was in its spring? What if your drum and shrill war-whoop Made all the village ring? Those things all happened long ago— No matter when or how—Such, such, old man, as you were then Is my Keskarrah now. Don’t talk about your beaver packs With such a calf and shin Your legs are dwindled down to straws; And bearded is your chin, Just like those ugly trader men, And his is smooth as mine. His face is like the rising sun, His stature like the pine. Go tell my father what you want, And boast your rank and birth, Give him your horses and your guns, And all that you are worth. Your powder he may shoot away, Your whiskey drink like water, But then, be sure, if he consents, That never will his daughter.

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If father says I must and shall Make shirts and coats for you— I’ll show you both, you pumpkin heads, I know a thing or two. Keskarrah’s coal-black horse can beat A swallow on the wing; And if the drifts should prove too deep, This snow shoe is the thing. I really think another wife Would be one wife too many; A man with hair as white as yours Can have no need of any, Remember I am just fifteen; Think well of what you do. So get away, you doting fool, And let me mend my shoe. 0 0 0

From Tales o f the N orthw est by William Joseph Snelling, son of Josiah Snelling, Commandant, Fort Snelling WIN-YAN WI-CA KTE-PI PA-HA (1) a woman (2) man, men (in this context, the enem y (3) kill (4) hill. Known as Squaw Hill near the Kettle Lakes, South Dakota. The site marks the place where the Ojibwas massacred many Dakota women while picking berries on the hillside.—Jos. N. Nicollet WI-TA MDE (1) isla n d (2) lake. Located in Lime TP, Blue Earth County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet WI-TA CAN-TA MDE (1) isla n d (2) d e a d w ood (3) lake. Located in Renville County though some say to the east of Beaver Creek at present day Bird Island. WI-TA CE-DI (1) island (2) a reed-like grass with long joints. This is known as present day Union Lake, Rice County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet WI-TA HU-TA l-YA-HDE (1) isla n d (2) the shore line; the edge o f a w ood o r p ra irie (3) to reach o r e xte n d to. “The-lslandThat-Reaches-the-Shore.” This is the peninsula which Nicollet

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called Presqu’ile, midway on Lake Traverse, on the Minnesota side.—Jos. N. Nicollet WI-TA KA-HBO-KA (1) island (2) to drift along. The present

day name of this lake is not known, but it is possibly one of the small lakes east of Windom, probably one of the “Three Lakes.”—Jos. N. Nicollet WI-TA KAN-TA (1) island (2) plum or plums. The plums are best

eaten ripe, but are dried and laid up, and when wanted are ren­ dered eatable by boiling. This grove of plum trees is found at the north end of Lake Traverse.—Jos. N. Nicollet WI-TAN-SNA WI-TA (1) a maiden (2) island. The name of an

island on Lake Kampeska. Many years ago there lived a maiden named Mnikota on the shores of this lake. During the absence of her real love, the young men of the village pressed her for a commitment. Upon telling them the one who could throw a stone the farthest would win her hand, an island of stones quickly ap­ peared. Finally realizing she would not choose amongst them, the angry suitors carried her to the newly formed island. There she was abandoned without food. A great white pelican seeing her plight brought her food to eat. Mnikota’s lover returned and during the night took her from the island—Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, The Dakota Heritage WI-TA O-TAMDE (1) island (2) many (3) lake. Present day Cedar

Lake, Rice County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet WI-TA SI-CA (1) island (2) bad, ugly, wicked. The present day Jensen’s Island on Lake Traverse.— H is to ric a l S tories, Northeastern South Dakota WI-TA TA MDE (1) island (2) the moose specifically though also considered as the generic term for all ruminating animals (3) lake. Also commonly known as Moose Island—TAWI-TA. This

is present day Niemackl Lake, three miles southeast of Herman, Grant County, Minnesota. Several encircling lakes form a pro­ tective barrier against destructive prairie fires of this large wooded oasis, a frequent camp ground of the Sisitons.—Nie­ mackl Lake Park, Herman Minnesota. (See TA KA-GA-PI MDE) WI-TA TAN-KA (1) an isla n d (2) large. Present day Pike

Island.—Frederic W. Pearsall (April 24, 1912) This also in-

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eludes the large island on Big Swan Lake, the summer camp of the Sisitons. WI-TA TOM NA (1) island (2) four, the contraction o f TO-PA (3) diminutive suffix. “The-Lake-of-Four-Small-lslands.” The two most southerly islands now furnish the roadbed for the encircling parkway. Present day Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

WI-TA UN-KCE S ’A-MNA (1) island (2) to defecate; break wind (3) urine smell. An oasis of three lakes surrounded by a certain species of tree which exuded a foul smell. Perhaps the Black Haws or the bois puant of the French, identified as the orme de Samarie. The Dakota called them the “Three-lslands-that-Pee.” Located in Blue Earth County north of the mouth of Perch Creek.—Jos.N. Nicollet

WI-TA WA-KAN (1) island (2) sacred. Also known as l-ZU-ZA WI-TA (1) sandstone (2) island. This is a small island located

on the right bank, slightly up stream from the present day Mendota bridge. It was here Sibley quarried stone for his trad­ ing post.—Jos. N. Nicollet WI-TA WAN-KAN-TU (1) island (2) high up. Present day High

Island Lake. This island has a prominent rock at its base and is covered with red cedar (juniper). The outlet stream carries the same name: WI-TA WAN-KAN-TU WA-KPA-DAN (1) island (2) high up (3) creek. “Riviere de I’ile Haute. ’’ The lake was so named because the slightly elevated island dominates the adjacent low lying mainland. Being a navigable stream, it is pos­ sible to portage from the lake to the Crow River.—Jos. N. Nicollet WI-TA WA-STE (1) island (2) beautiful. Present day Nicollet

Island.—Jos. N. Nicollet WI-WI l-HAN-KE WA-KPA-DAN (1) swamp (2) the end, termi­ nation (3) creek. “The-Creek-at-the-End-of-the-Swamp.” This stream is opposite Traverse des Sioux. Apparently, its delta has formed a shallow sandbar in the Minnesota River resulting in this most famous of all crossing places. (See O-I-YU-WEGE)—Jos. N. Nicollet

WI-YA-KA O-TI (1) sand (2) to dwell. “Dwellers-on-the-Sand.” A small band of WA-HPE-TON-WAN made their home here

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above the Little Rapids. Also recorded as WI-YA-KA O-TI-DAN, “Little-Village-of-Sand-River.” Present day Sand Creek, St. Lawrence TP, Scott County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet WO-WA-PI YAN-KA (1) a painting or carving in hieroglyphics (2) a place. This refers to such places as Jeffers, Minnesota. This is a general term.

YA-MNU-MNU-GA-PI WI-TA (1) the hackberry tree, so called because animals noisily crunched its berries (2) island. This is the tree the French called “Le Bois Inconnu, "the unknown wood, as presumably none grew in France. This is a celebrated site from time immemorial amongst the Dakotas during the great hunt for the buffalo. Located in Brookville TP, Redwood County, Minnesota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

ZI-CA O-TA WA-KPA (1) the reddish gray squirrel (2) many (3) river. Called by the French “Riviere aux Ecureuil. "This river is located immediately below the Upper Iowa River in north­ eastern Iowa.—Jos. N. Nicollet

ZI-ZI-CA KA-GA-PI PA-HA (1) turkey (2) to make (3) mound or hill. An effigy of a turkey was made here. Located at the mouth of the Vermillion River, South Dakota.—Jos. N. Nicollet

The Legend of Big Marten The year 1773 may well have been called the Year of the Marten for this was the summer of a most dramatic occurrence. Two hundred warriors had taken the warpath north to their for­ mer village on Knife Lake to put out the fires of their implacable and ever advancing foe, the Ojibwa. With very few exceptions, neither side spared any who fell into their hands. Taking over 40 scalps and eight or ten prisoners in an early morning raid, the Dakotas quickly withdrew to their own village at the mouth of Nine Mile Creek to engage in their victory dance, the l-WA-KI-CI-PI (scalp dance), a rite of self glorification. It was at this juncture they were astounded to behold an enemy in their midst, a warrior painted in the black of mourning with streaks of red covering fresh wounds. Recognized as the distinguished Ojibwa chief, KITCHI WA-BEES-HA-ZEE, the Big Marten, whose village had so recently been attacked, he was immediately seized and made to sit down. The warriors quickly

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encircled him for protection against the insults and indignities of the women and children. Under cover of a blanket he had approached undiscovered passing through the village, though not until he was in the pres­ ence of the warriors had he revealed himself. When asked what had induced him to venture so recklessly among them, he replied that having regained consciousness, he found the bodies of his wife, brother and other relatives on the field of battle but not that of his six year old daughter and assumed she was a prisoner. Expressing the greatest admiration for his valor, the Dakotas released them both as each embraced and wept over the other. On their departure, the canoe loaded with gifts, one hun­ dred warriors escorted them for protection as far as enemy country, the mouth of Rum River.—Gideon Pond (See MEGAUDEWINING)

“I, beheld, too, in that vision all the secrets of the future, of the distant days that shall be. I beheld the westward marches of the unknown, crowded nations. All the land was full of people... In the woodlands rang their axes, smoked their towns in all the valleys, over all the lakes and rivers rushed their great canoes of thunder.. I beheld our nation scattered, all forgetful of my counsels, weakened, warring with each other; saw the remnants of our people sweeping westward, wild and woeful, like the cloud-rack of a tempest, like the withered leaves of Autumn!”

0

The Song o f Hiaw atha

Longfellow

0

Illustrated by Frederic Remington

"7

121 OJIBWA PLACE NAMES IN THE NORTH AND EASTERN PERIPHERIES

j

Ojibwa place names were nonexistent in Minnesota until the mid-1700’s. There were two exceptions. One was a report by Father Allouez who was the first to write a form of the name Mississippi, basing his account on the information of Illinois Indians who had come to Chequamegon Bay to trade: MESSIPI. (1667; JR 51, p. 52). The other exception is on Franquelin’s 1697 map that shows Mille Lacs as “MISSISAGAIGUN ou Lac de Buade” in honor of the Comte de Frontenac, then governor of New France. The following place names were researched by Rev. Joseph A. Gilfillan (1838-1904), and extracted from the G eo logical and N atural H istory Survey o f Minnesota, 15th Annual Report, 1886. AKIKO ZIBI “Kettle-River.” It is noted from the “Carte d e la Riviere M ississip p i’’ by Guillaume de L’isle, 1702, that this for­ mer possession of the Dakotas was called CE-GA WA-KPA, Kettle River, and its source, CE-GA MDE, Kettle Lake. Located in Pine and Carlton Counties, Minnesota. It was named after the water-worn rocks of the lower river.

AKIWAUGUNI ZIBI “Ground-House-River.”A tradition among

the Ojibwa tell of “men of the olden times,” who lived on this river and the regions of the upper Mississippi prior to the Dakota invasion of northern Minnesota. These were the Hidasta, known also as the Minitari and Gros Ventre (Big Belly), who later set­ tled on the upper Missouri. They lived in wooden huts covered with earth, whence comes the name Ground House River. ANDAIG WIGWAN ZIBI The Crow River which enters the

Mississippi River at Dayton, Minnesota. ANINONDUCAGON “Evergreen-Place.” Balsam Lake, Polk

County, Wisconsin. ASHKAKWA SAGAIIGUN “The-Lake-Where-There-ls-Standing Wood,” or by the French, Lac du Bois Franc, “Lake-of-the-HardWoods.” Present day Tainter Lake, Dunn County, Wisconsin. ASINIKANING “The-Place-of-Stone.” This is present day

Sandstone, Minnesota.

ATONOWINING ZIBI “The-River-Where-They-Make-Canoes.”

Present day Chase Creek, upper St. Croix River, west of Riverside, Wisconsin. BATAWI GUMAG “A-Lake-Lying-Close-to-Another-LakeForming-As-lt-Were-a-Double-with-lt.” Bass and Long Lakes, Burnhamville TP, Todd County, Minnesota. BEKE NIGIDJIIKAG SAGAIIGUN “Buffalo-Fish-Lake,” Wright County, Minnesota. Quite by coincidence, the source lake of the south branch of the Crow River carries a similar name, though in Dakota country—KAN-DI-YO-HI, “Where-the-Buffalo-FishCome.” Present day Buffalo Lake, Wright Co., Minnesota. BEMIDJIGUMAG “The-Lake-Through-Which-the-Current-ofthe-River-Flows-Diagonally.” Present day Cross Lake, Pine City, Pine County, Minnesota. BIMADAGUTCHIGUN SAGAIIGUN “Swimming-Slaughter-

Lake,” so called from elk being driven into the lake and killed. This is present day Long Lake in Fawn Lake TP, Todd County, Minnesota. BINEKANING ZIBI “The-Place-of-Partridges.” This is now

known as present day Partridge Creek near Askov, Partridge TP, Pine County, Minnesota. BINE SAGAIIGUN “Partridge-Lake” located in Wykeham TP, Todd County, Minnesota. Possibly PendergastorAnnalaideLake. BINE ZIBI “Partridge-River.” “The Blacksmith,” or AH-WISHTO-YAH was a French-Ojibwa who traded at the junction of this river with the Crow Wing. In 1783, Ojibwas and Frenchmen were attacked by 200 Dakotas. Being well fortified with guns and protected by heavy barricades, they were able to survive the attack. BIWANI SAGAIIGUN “Sioux-Lake,” from the Sioux having killed each other there. Present day Rice Lake in Turtle Creek TP, Todd County, Minnesota. BUKE MENOMIN GANSHIKA ZIBIWISHE “The Brook of thePlace-of-Wildrice-off-to-One-Side.” Present day Rice Creek which flows north into Snake River, Grass Lake TP, Kanabec County, Minnesota.

123 CHIWIKWAYGIWUNG “Big-Eddy,” located on the Rum River at the end of a bend above the confluence of Mike Drew Creek. There was usually open water here in the winter. The word CHI is from KITCHI, large; and WIKWAYGIWUNG, to go around. DO-DEM, the gens (inheritance of clan affiliation). The descent

is along the male line and intermarriage never took place between members of the same clan. They are symbolized by some animal, bird, fish, or reptile. As indicated in the illus­ tration, the father in the bow position determines the gens of the children amidship; the mother in the stern is a member of a different clan.—Sister M. Inez Hilger ENINANDIGO ZIBI “Spruce-River.” Present day Lower Tamarack, tributary of the upper St. Croix, Pine County, Minnesota. This stream enters the St. Croix near Passe a L’ours. ENISASAGI ZIBIWISHE “The-Creek-That-Keeps-Flowing-outof-One-Lake-into-Another-for-a-Long-Space.” This refers to the creek coming from Spence Lake, Comfort TP, Kanabec County, Minnesota. ESHKQUE GUMAG “The-Last-Lake.” This is the third or last lake as the Rum River leaves Mille Lacs. It is now called ONAMIA, meaning vermillion. ESSIBANIPASSADINANG “Coon-Valley.” Located in present day Coon Valley, Wisconsin, ten miles southeast of LaCrosse on the Mississippi. This was the southern-most extension of the Ojibwas. GA-AYANIKEGUMAG “The-Lakes-that-Lie-One-after-theOther,” so named because in traveling in their canoes, the Ojibwas went from one to the other. Present day lakes Chippewa, Devil’s, Little Chippewa and Stowe in Douglas County, Minnesota. GA-BAGOTCHISHKIWAGAG “Shallow-Miry-Lake.” This is also known as GA-ESSIKAG, “Where-There-Are-Clams.” Shell Lake, Wisconsin. GA-EDAWAIIMAMIWUNG ZIBI “The-River-with-Paps-onEither-Side.” Bois de Sioux River, the outlet of Lake Traverse. GA-ESSIKAG KAKABIKANG “The-Falls-Where-There-AreCiams.” Clam Falls, Wisconsin.

GA-ESSIKAG SAGAIIGAN “Clam-Lake,” Wisconsin. GA-ESSIKAG ZIBI “Clam-River,” Wisconsin GAGAGIW IGWUNI SAGAIIGUN “Raven-Feather Lake.”

Present day Lake Koronis, Stearns County, Minnesota. GAGAGIWIGWUNI ZIBI “Raven-Feather-River.” The French

called it “Riviere He de Corbeau. ” Where this river joins the Mississippi, it follows a split channel around a small island whose shape gives rise to the name Raven Wing. The traders erro­ neously called it Crow Wing. The river was also called NEENGITAHWITIGWAYYAND, “The-Place-of-Separation.” This latter was a more ancient name, as it presented an alternate route to Leech Lake. The upper Crow Wing was a road to war as well as the contiguous lake chain which extended as far as Long Lake in Hubbard County, Minnesota. GA-GINOGUMAG “The-Long-Lakes.” These are the upper and

lower Long Lakes through which the Nokay River flows. Crow Wing County, Minnesota. GA-MENOMINIGANJIKANI ZIBI “The-River-Where-the-Wild-

Rice-Stalk-or-Plant-ls-Growing.” The Wild Rice River in south­ eastern North Dakota. GA-MITAWANGAGUMAG SAGAIIGUN “Sand-Lake.” Present

day William Lake, West Union TP, Todd County, Minnesota. GA-MUMINEWAMIWUNK “Bays-in-AII-Directions.” Lake

Miltona, Douglas County, Minnesota. GA-MUSHKIGWATIGOKAG ZIBI “The-Place-of-Tamarack,” a tributary of the upper St. Croix, right bank, Pine County, Minnesota. Present day Upper Tamarack. GA-NIJOTIGUEIAG ZIBI “Two-Flowing-Rivers.” Also known as

OPINIKANI ZIBI, “The-Place-of-Potatoes-River.” Present day Two Rivers, Morrison and Stearns Counties. The “Two-RiversTLake” takes the same name. GA-OSSISSIGOBIMIJIKA ZIBI “Willow-River.” This is the pre­ sent day Willow River where it enters the St. Croix north of Hudson, Wisconsin. GA-SHAGOSHKODEIA ZIBI “Long-Narrow-Prairie-River.”

Present day Long Prairie River, Todd County. This stream was

the war-road between the Dakotas and the Ojibwas. The Ojibwas ascended it in their war excursions against the Sissetons and Yanktons. Many are the tales related to the mishaps and adventures on this stream and the plains adjacent. A Red Lake Ojibwa, Sheshepaskut, in 1798, stated the Sioux had left the woodland to them, but that the Chippewas could not advance to the prairies because of the possession by the Sioux of horses. They were at a military disadvantage in the open, and had to keep to the woods and leave the plains to the Sioux. GA-SHASHAGANUSHKOKANI SAGAIIGUN The Place of

Rushes-Lake.” Rush Lake and River, Chisago County, Minnesota. The former Dakota name was PTE-GA WA-KPA or Marsh Lake and River. GASKIBUGWUDJIWE “Rustling-Leaf-Mountains.” Wadena

County, Minnesota. GAWAKUMIG SAGAIIGUN “Clearwater-Lake.” Present day

Clearwater Lake, Wright and Stearns Counties, Minnesota. The outlet is called GAWAKUMIG ZIBI, “Clearwater-River.” In the early days of French exploration it was known to them as “Riviere de la F ie n te ” (dung of certain animals) from “C arte d e la M ississip p i” by Guillaume de L’isle, 1702. The Eau Clair River in Wisconsin also carried the same name. GA-WAWIIEGUMAG SAGAIIGUN Round-Lake

Present day

Big Round Lake near Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. The Place of LittleBirches-Lake.” Big Birch Lake near Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

GA-WIGWASSENSIKAG SAGAIIGUN

GA-WUBATAWANGAG SAGAIIGUN The “Lake-with-theContracted-Place-Formed-by-an-lsthmus-of-Sand.” Present day Lake Christina and Pelican Lakes, northwest corner of Douglas County, Minnesota. Also Lake Carlos, Douglas County. G EG O S HUG AH MOTE “ PI aces-W here-t he-Fish-Com e.”

Present day St. Croix River. “There are several places of deep water, generally below sandbars, known to the Indian as places where the fish come. Lake Pepin; the foot of Beefslough; Trempealeau Mountain Lake, and the deep water at Prairie du Chien. Here the fish rest as they stay in deep water until the spawning season.”—L.H. Bunnell, MD

126 GINOSHEAWIA ZIBIWISHE “The-Brook-with-a-Bend-That-

Flows-Long-in-a-Straight-Line.” Present day Vandell Brook, east of Miiaca, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota. GINWA SAGAIIGAN “Long-Lake.” Present day Long Lake, Washburn County, Wisconsin. GITCHI/JOUAN SAGAIIGUN “Big-Little-Lake.” Present day

Coon Lake, Anoka County, Minnesota. GUSHKIKAWAG SAGAIIGUN “Trees-Reaching-over-Acrossthe-Water,” Present day village of Mora, Minnesota. ISHKODEWABO ZIBI “Firewater-River.” This is the present day

Rum River, Minnesota. KABITAWI ZIBI “River-Beside-Another.” Elk River, Sherburne County. So called because it paralleled the Mississippi. KAGINOGUAMAUG “Long-Water-Lake.” Present day Lake Owen, Bayfield County, Wisconsin. KAKABIKA The general name for a waterfall. Present day Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. KAKABIKA ZIBIWISHE “Creek-of-the-Falls,” so called from a three or four foot waterfall. Present day Hay Creek, northwest­ ern Kanabec County, Minnesota. KAKABIKANS “The-Little-Squarely-Cut-Off-Rock-Or-Fall.” Fergus Falls, Minnesota. KAKABIKANSING “The-Place-of-the-Little-Squarely-Cut-Off-

Rock.” Called by the French, “La chute de la roche Peinte” or Falls of the Painted Rock. Present day Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota. KAKWAKISHKAKOG SAGAIIGUN “Shallow Muddy Lake Spooner Lake, Washburn County, Wisconsin. KANABEC ZIBI (also GINEBIGO ZIBI) “Snake-River.” Kanabec

River, Kanabec County, Minnesota. According to Guillaume de L’isle, “Carte de la M ississippi, ” 1702, when in possession of the Sioux, it was called ZU-ZE WA-KPA, Snake River. It is believed that in 1659, near the confluence of the Ann and the Kanabec Rivers on Spring Brook Hill, two miles south of Mora, Radisson and Groseilliers helped the Dakotas celebrate the Feast of the Dead. Assembled there were 500 Indians belonging to eighteen

different tribes. Radisson tried to persuade them to keep the peace with the Crees, as the French had adopted them as their children.—Vestal, p. 175 KEG-O-MA-GO-SHIEG “Stops-the-Day” was the last Indian to

live in present day Loring Park (Oak Grove and 15th Street), ^Minneapolis, circa 1850. A large spring on the south side kept aS much as an acre from freezing leaving black bass and pick­ erel to thrive. A stream issued from the lake crossing present day Harmon Place and Hennepin Avenue to meander through the extensive swamps of the Parade and Bryn Mawr. Joining a small quicksand-laden stream from Cedar Lake, it eventually emptied into Bassett’s Creek.—A.J. Russell, L o rin g P a rk A spects, 1919 KIBI SAGI “The-Outlet-That-ls-Stopped,” by a sandbar. The mouth of the Wisconsin River at Prairie du Chien. The adjacent prairie was known to some as Peminan’s Prairie after the chief of half of the Fox nation, a contemporary of Joseph Marin who was a French fur trader from out of La Baye (Green Bay, Wisconsin). The chief was influential in keeping the peace be­ tween the Fox and Illinois. The name by which the prairie is known today comes from thewarrior society of the Sac, who in concert with the Fox, occupied all the area about the mouth of this river. The dog was their symbol. KIBISKABITIGOUYAG “Big-Point-River,” so called because it enters the Mississippi on an outside bend or point. The Dakota called it l-PA-KSAN WA-KPA-DAN, the “Creek-of-the-Bend.” Present day Fish Creek, Wright County, Minnesota. KICKAPOO ZIBI From the word KI-WI-GA-PA-WA, “He-MovesAbout.” This describes a restless people who traveled greatly from their traditional home in central Wisconsin to many parts of the Middle West, the South and northern Mexico. Very independent and slow to take up the ways of the whites, they were usually at war with the Iroquois and Sioux, plus most of their neighbors, and were considered by many to be the most warlike and cruelest of them all. By 1685, through confedera­ tion with the Fox and Mascouten, their power equalled that of their enemies. It was this alliance which forced the abandon­ ment of Fort Beauharnois on Lake Pepin in 1728.

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Ä gigantic figure of stone resembling a human stands erect in!a niche formed in the precipice. A long time ago a very bloody battle was fought at Prairie du Chien. A woman survivor fled the carnage to the surrounding hills. The Great Spirit, taking pity on her famished condition, converted her into this stone monument of veneration, and for a long time every Indian who dared to approach in sight of it was killed. But at length, the Great Spirit grew tired of this havoc and now suffers them to approach and worship with impunity. KINNIKINNIK ZIBI “Tobacco-River.” A mixture of different things, tobacco and red willow bark. Located on the left bank of the lower St. Croix. “Tobacco was discovered by Nanabozu, the demi-god and intercessor between god and man. When lying by the campfire, he discovered, much to his annoyance, his tobacco pouch was empty. Disgusted, he went to sleep, but lay so close to the fire he burnt his backsides. He woke up with a yell and rushed, tortured by pain, through the bushes. Some of these bushes which he grazed turned red by his blood and are known as the red willow to this day. Thus, Nanabozu had to suffer like a martyr in order that his children might never fall into the dilemma which he had found himself.”—J.G. Kohl KITADJIWUNI ZIBIWISHE “The-Creek-That-Has-a-StrongCurrent.” Present day Bogus Creek, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, a tributary of the Rum River. KITCHI KAKABIKA “The-Great-Falls.” Present day Saint Anthony Falls and also the early village of Saint Anthony. KAK­ ABIKA is a general name for any waterfalls. (See O-WA-MNIYO-MNI in Dakota text) KITCHI MASHKIIGIMINIKANING “At-the-Big-Cranberry-

Place.” Located near Grantsburg, Wisconsin. KITCHI MINAGUA SA GA IIGU N “The-Lake-of-a-LargeOasis-of-Woods-out-in-the-Prairies. Located in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. This included both Green and Norstedt Lakes, which constituted a large enclave of hardwood out in the distant prairies. KITCHI OSAGI SAGAIIGUN “The-Great-Lakes-of-the-Sauk,” which included Osakis, Little Sauk, Sauk Lake and Fairy Lake,

\1pdd County, Minnesota. The tr bal name comes from ÄSAUWUS (yellow) plus AKI (earth)- -“Yellow-Earth-People.” KITCHI PAGANAG SAGAIIGUN “Butternut-Lake.” Located in

Butternut, Wisconsin. KITCHI SAGAIIGUN “Large-Lake”. It is believed this name was coined by the settlers of Chisago County. This word is a con­ traction and by dropping the first syllable and changing SAGA to SAGO, they created the present name. KITCHI WABIZI SAGAIIGUN “Big-Swan-Lake.” Present day Swan Lake, Todd County, Minnesota. KITCHI ZIBI “Great-River.” This is the Red River of the North, north of its junction with the Bois de Sioux, though the name is often applied to the Mississippi. The crossing at Moorhead was known as AJOGEMOG KITCHI ZIBI, “The-Crossing-of-theGreat-River.” This was the grizzly bears’ eastern limit. GITCHIJOUAN ZIBI (also spelled KITCHI) “Big-Little-River.”—

Present day Coon Creek, Anoka County, Minnesota. MAKATE WAGAMI KAKABIKANG “Black-Water-Falls.” Black

River Falls, Wisconsin. MAKATE WAGAMI ZIBI “Black-Water-River.”Black River, Wisconsin. MAKWA SAGAIIGUN “Bear-Lake.” Located near Haugen,

Barron County, Wisconsin. MANITOWIGIWAMING ZIBIWISHE “The-Brook-of-God’sWigwam,” so called from a low hill between the Rum River and Mike Drew Creek, three miles north of Milaca, Minnesota. The word wigwam, or more correctly, WIGIWAM, also means the birch tree or its bark from which the Ojibwas’ habitation is made. MANITOWIS ZIBI “River-of-the-Evil-Spirit.” Present day Jump

River, Wisconsin. MASHKISIBING “Swamp-River.” Present day Bad River, Wisconsin. The whites mistook the word Mushkeg—a swamp, for matchi— bad, hence the English name Bad River instead of Swamp River. The river was so called because it flows through swampy country. MASHKODE SAGIG “Prairie-of-the-Sac. Located on the lower/ Wisconsin River. I

-\

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EGAUDEWINING “Battle-Ground.” Elk River, Minnesota. (See ^"-Dakota text) MEMOKAGE SAGAIIGUN “Keep-Sunrising-Lake.” This is the present day Sunrise River, Chisago County, Minnesota. “Following a Dakota raid, MONS-O-MAN-AY, an Ojibwa warchief, collected a large party of warriors and when the snow melted on the ground, followed the trail as the Sioux returned towards their villages on the Mississippi. He caught up with their camp at a prairie on Sunrise River. They numbered many lodges and around their camp they had thrown up an embankment of earth about four feet high. The Ojibwas ran up to the Dakota defenses from behind which they fired repeated volleys into the defenseless lodges within, thus turning it to their own advantage.”—Wm. W. Warren. MEMOKAGE ZIBI “Keep-Sunrising-River.” Present day Sunrise River, Chisago County, Minnesota. MENOMINIKAN SAGAIIGUN “Rice-Lake.” Rice Lake, located near Menomonie, Wisconsin. (See Dakota text) MENOMINIKAN ZIBI “Rice-Creek.” This is present day Rice Creek, Anoka County, Minnesota. (See Dakota text, O-TON-WE WA-KPA-DAN) MENOMINIKESHI KAKABIKANG “The-Falls-of-the-RicebirdRiver.” Present day St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. MENOMINIKESHI ZIBI “The-Ricebird-River.” The ricebird is said to be the bobolink. The present day St. Croix River. From this river the St. Croix Ojibwas take their name, MENOMINIKESHIAG, “The-Wild-Rice-Makers.” MENOMINIKESHE ZIBI AJAW EW ESITA GUNNING “The-

Place-of-the-Portage-into-Rice-Bird-River.” Between upper Lake St. Croix near Solon Springs, Wisconsin and the Bois Brule River which flows north into Lake Superior. MISA SAGAIIGUN “Everywhere-Lakes-or-AII-Sorts-of-Lakes.” This phrase referred to the thousands of lakes in the area, a term the voyageurs eventually applied to the largest—Mille Lacs. The name Mille Lacs is a short term for the French phrase, “Le Pays a u x M ille L a c s , ”—the “Country-of-a-Thousand-Lakes.” And as it happens, this lake, from among the thousand, is the largest of them all. It is par excellence “le lac des m ille lacs. ”

131 MISHA MOKWA “The Great Bear.” The bear in olden times was one of the supernaturals commissioned by the MEGIS, the sacred shell, to organize and spread the MIDEWIWIN, the Grand Medicine Society, to provide the Ojibwas with a long and healthy life. Later, in a conspiracy with other animal species, he arranged an unsuccessful rebellion against man. As a measure of rebuke, Nanebozo, the intercessor between the Great Spirit and the Ojibwas, took from the animals the power of speech. Only the shamans can now communicate with ani­ mals today, though the Indian will still attempt to converse with the bear thinking it must understand them. “Of all the animals that exist in their forests, they respect the bears the most. They regard it almost as human. They often say that the bear is Anishinaabe (Indian).”—J.G. Kohl As an additional part of the punishment, the Indian would have the right to hunt all animals if he would, in exchange, respect them and perform the proper rituals in consumption and disposal of the remains, while under the watchful eyes of the pa­ triarchs or masters of the species. Apologizing to the animal for taking its life, they make it understand that it was unavoidable if they were to subsist. This stream is a small tributary of the Chippewa River, left bank, between Nelson and Durand, Wisconsin.

MISI ZIBI “River-Everywhere-Or-AII-Over.” It is the same word as MISA when used for Mille Lacs. The Mississippi becomes so below the junction of Leech Lake River, not Itasca, as so des­ ignated by the whites. This is the archaic designation, as in later times it was more commonly called KITCHI ZIBI (See HA-HA WA-KPA in Dakota text) MISKWAWAKOKAN ZIBI “The-River-Where-There-Are-

Red-Cedars.” Today known as the Red Cedar River, Wisconsin. This name is also applied to Goose Creek, a tributary of the St. Croix, Chisago County, Minnesota. The source of the MISKWAWAKOKAN ZIBI is MISKWAWAKOKAN SAGAIIGUN, present day Red Cedar Lake, Wisconsin. MISKWAWAKO MENSIWUNK (Translation not known) This

is present day Uhlenkolts Lake near New Munich, Stearns County, Minnesota.

132 MISSHIPESHU Called the Great Lynx or Lion, whose other self

is the Horned Serpent, one of the super manitous (Kitchi Manitou), who are the owners or masters of all the underwater creatures. They are the cause of sudden storms, treacherous currents in white water and hazardous thin ice on the frozen lakes and streams. MOKIGINOWISH “Dry-Creek.” Present day Deer Creek, a trib­ utary of the St. Croix River below the Sunrise River, Chisago County, Minnesota. MOKODASONAGUNI ZIBI “Trap-for-Bear-Made-by-Something-Heavy-As-a-Log-to-Fall-upon-Him-Catch-Him-UnderIt-and-Crush-Him-River,” or “Bear-Deadfall-River.” This is present day Bear River which parallels the Kettle River, Pine County, Minnesota. MOKODATAGAGWIM SAGAIIGUN “Bear’s-Backbone-Lake,” so called from a mountain of that name on the south shore. The river issuing thence was the MOKODATAGAGWIM ZIBI. Present day Sullivan and Platte lakes, Crow Wing and Morrison Counties west of Mille Lacs. (See PEQUISHINO SAGAIIGUN) MOKOMANI SAGAIIGUN “Knife-Lake,” a tributary of Snake

River. Note that its former name was l-SAN-TA MDE (Knife Lake) by the Dakotas. MOKOMANI ZIBI “Knife-River,” Kanabec County, Minnesota. This was formerly known as l-SAN-TA WA-KPA, (Knife River) by the Dakotas. MOOSHKINE GIGU SAGAIIGUN “Full-of-Fish-Lake.” Present

day Full of Fish Lake, Kanabec County, Minnesota. MOZO SAGAIIGUN “Moose-Lake.” Present day Hoyden Lake near Staples, Todd County, Minnesota. MUSHODAMENOMINIKAN SAGAIIGUN “Prairie-Rice-Lake,” a tributary of the Red Cedar and 40 miles north of the lower rapids of Chippewa River. NAMEKAGON SAGAIIGUN “Sturgeon-Lake.” Namekagon

Lake, Wisconsin. NAMEKAGON ZIBI “Sturgeon-River.” Present day Namekagon

River, a tributary of the upper St. Croix River.

133 NAMEKAWAGON “The-Sturgeon-Dam.” A body of water |

dammed by natural obstructions on the Upper St. Croix. Today ' this is called the St. Croix Flowage, after the construction of a modern dam. NESSAWEGUMAG “Middle-Lake.” This is the second or mid­ dle lake as the Rum River leaves Mille Lacs. NETUMIGUMAG “First-Lake.” This is the first lake as the Rum River leaves Mille Lacs. Later called OGECHIE SAGAIIGUN. NEWE SAGAIIGUN “Blowsnake-Lake,” so called because of the

numerous reptiles. This is present day Lake Francis northwest of Kingston, Meeker County, Minnesota. NIGIDJIIKAG SAGAIIGUN “Buffalo-Fish-Lake.” Today this is known as Big Swan Lake, located some three miles north of Dassel, Minnesota. NIMADJIZIBI This stream enters the St. Louis River estuary near Superior, Wisconsin. Called so as upon entering the bay from Lake Superior, the river was to be found on the extreme left side. “The-Left-Hand-River. ” NINGITAWITIGWEYANG “The-Place-Where-the-River-Forks,” at Princeton, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota. NISUGUDUBI ZIBIWISHE “The-Creek-of-One-Who-Was-SeenSitting-in-the-Night.” Present day Rice Creek, Grass Lake TP, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota. NOKE ZIBI “The-Totem-of-the-Bear-River.” Noke was the grand­ father of White Fisher or Waubojeeg. It is from this old warrior and stalwart hunter, who fearlessly passed his summers on the string of lakes which form the head of the NOKE ZIBI, that the name of this stream is derived. Present day Noka Sippi, Crow Wing County, Minnesota. OJIBWA ZIBI “Ojibwa-River.” Present day Chippewa River,

Chippewa County, Minnesota. (See MA-YA WA-KAN WA-KPA in Dakota text) OMENOMINENSIWI SAGIIGUN “His-Little-Wild-Rice-Lake,”

named after an old Indian who died there long ago. Present day Mud Lake between Lake Koronis and Rice Lake, Stearns County, Minnesota.

’fl

134

OMUSHKOZO ZIBI “Elk-River,” which enters the Mississippi

River above Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota. Present day Little Elk River. ONEGAM1NG “The-Portage.” Portage Bay west of Cove Bay,

Mille Lacs. It was here that a portage was made to present day Lake Onamia. OPINIKANI SAGAIIGUN “The-Place-of-the-Wild-Potatoes-

Lake.” Grant County, Minnesota. Present day Pomme de Terre Lake. (See O-WO-BO-PTE WA-KPA in Dakota text) OPINIKANI ZIBI “The-Place-of-Wild-Potatoes-River,” a tributary

of the upper Minnesota River at Appleton, Minnesota. Present day Pomme de Terre River. OSAGI SAGAIIGUN “The-Lake-of-the-Sauk.” Named for a band

of Sac (Sauk) seeking refuge from their enemies. Present day Lake Osakis, Douglas County, Minnesota. The word Sauk comes from ASAUWUS (yellow) plus AKI (earth)— “Yellow-Earth-People.” OSAGI ZIBI “The-River-of-the-Sauks.” Present day Sauk River. OTAWA SAGAIIGUN “Ottawa-Lake” was so called because

many years before, a party of Ojibwa hunters discovered on its shores the frozen body of an Ottawa. At this time the Ottawas had extended their hunting parties to this remote point. The French called them Courtes Oreilles (short ears), not because their ears were short but because they had not stretched them as some of the other tribes had done. This name was corrupted to Couderay. The word ATAWE means to trade; ATAWEWININI, trader, indicating their skill as go-betweens amongst the whites and tribes of the area. OTAWA ZIBI “Trade-River.” A tributary of the upper St. Croix,

left bank. PAGONESHKODEIANG “A-Hole-in-the-Prairie,” or Prairie Percee of the French. The opening was formed by the water on the Mississippi’s east bank. PASHKIN ENSIWI SAGAIIGUN (Translation not known) Present day Sand Lake, T125, R32, Sec 36, Stearns County, Minnesota. PASSE A L OURS (Fr) “Bear-Portage” A very celebrated bear fording place on the St. Croix not far from the mouth of Yellow

135

River. This occurs during their migrations in the spring and fall. In spring and summer they usually wander southward to more bountiful, open country and return to the deep woods in the fall to hibernate. It is at this time the Indian silently awaits him by ca­ noe and torch light to complete their winter supply. PEQUISHINO SAGAIIGUN “Hump-as-Made-by-a-Man-Lyingon-His-Hands-and-Knees.” Sullivan and Platte Lakes, Crow Wing and Morrison Counties west of Mille Lacs. The river issu­ ing thence had the same name. A temporary peace with the Sioux was enacted on this stream, the second within two years. Wanatan, The Charger, a Dakota warrior, as a young man man­ aged to enforce a temporary truce the first year. Also known as MOKODATAGAGWIM SAGAIIGUN, “Bear’s-Backbone-Lake,” so called from a mountain of that name on the south shore. PIQUABIKAZIBI “Little-Rocky-River,” or “The-River-Where-the-

Little-Rocky-Hills-Project-Out-Every-Once-in-a-While-Hereand-There.” On the left bank, near its junction with the Mississippi, a hill a mile long and a quarter mile wide called The Rock or Quabika arises. It was later known as the “Peace Rock” because of its proximity to the Dakota/Ojibwa boundary agreed to in 1825. Nearby is a well-known prairie,’’Prairie au jeu de La Crosse” near the mouth of the river. Present day Little Rock Creek, Benton County, Minnesota. POKEGUMA SAGAIIGUN “The-Lake-with-Bays-BranchingOut.” Located near Pine City, Pine County, Minnesota. POKEGUMA ZIBIWISHE “The-Creek-of-the-Lake-with-Bays-

Branching-Out.” Present day Pokeguma Creek, Brook Park TP., Pine County, Minnesota.

5;

136 PUSAIIGUNIZIBIWISHE “The-River-Where-Cedar-is-Split-intoLengths-to-Make-Canoes.” Present day Cedar Creek, south­ eastern corner of Mille Lacs south of Opstead, Minnesota. Also Mud Creek east of Mora and a tributary of the Snake River. 0 0 0

Thus the birch canoe was builded, In the valley, by the river, In the bosum of the forest; and the forest’s life was in it, And its mystery, and its magic. All the lightness of the birch tree, All the toughness of the cedar, All the larch’s supple sinews; And it floated on the river, Like a yellow leaf in Autumn, Like a yellow water lily.” —H.W. Longfellow 0 0 0 RIVIERE A LA SORCELLE (Fr) “Witchcraft-River.” The small stream flowing out of present day Spirit Lake, a tributary of Wood River, Wisconsin. SAGAWAMICK “Long-Shoal-or-Sandbar.” This pertains to both the bay and island at Mille Lacs, Wahkon, Minnesota. SA-GI (near the mouth o f a river) plus AKI (land, earth, pla ce) or “Hill-near-Mouth-of-River.” This is present day Pilot Knob near Fort Snelling. SAHGING “The-Bay.” Present day Outlet Bay, southwest corner

of Mille Lacs. SH EAN GEW I ZIBI “The-Creek-of-the-Bird-Sailing-with-

Outstretched-Motionless-Wings.” (as a bird does when about to alight). This is the Wing River which joins the Leaf River in Wadena County, Minnesota.

SHEDE SAGAIIGUN “Pelican-Lake.” Pelican Lake, Crow Wing

County, Minnesota; also Pelican Lake, Sawyer County, Wisconsin. (See SHETEK in Dakota text) SHIBADJWUNK “Where-the-Current-of-the-River-Forces-ltsWay-Through-and-Escapes.” Because the river makes a bend there, a small underground stream flows directly across the bend. A river bend at Cambridge, Minnesota. Present day Rum River. SHIGWUNABIKO SAGAIIGUN “Grindstone-Lake.” Present day

Grindstone Lake, Pine County, Minnesota. The outlet river takes the same name. SHONIA ZIBIWISHE “Silver-Creek.” Present day Silver Creek, Wright County, Minnesota. SUKUTAGUNI SAGAIIGUN Exceptionally “dry a n d sh redded wood punk. "This was the name of an old Indian who once lived there. Also spelled SAGATAGON. Now called Spunk Lake, Stearns County, Minnesota. The outlet stream takes the same name, SUKUTAGUNI ZIBI.

TCHIKISHKUTAWANGAG “Big-Cut-Sandy-Bank-Place. “A

prairie north of Belle Prairie, Morrison County, where the railroad runs along the Mississippi. TOTOGATIK ZIBI “Swamp-Tree-River” ; also, “A-Place-of-

Floating-Logs.” Upper St. Croix River, northwestern Wisconsin. Present day Totogatik River. WABIZINSIKANING “The-Place-of-Young-Swans.” Present day

Lewis Lake, Brunswick TP, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota. WABIZIPINIKAN ZIBI “The-Place-of-the-Swan-Potato.” The

present day Apple River, a tributary of the St. Croix, Wisconsin; and present day WAPSIPINECON in northeastern Iowa. (See WABIZIPINIKAN ZIBI, Dakota text) WABIZIWI SAGIIGUN “Little-Swan-Lake.” Present day Little

Swan Lake, Todd County, Minnesota. WABIZIWI ZIBI “Little-Swan-River” Present day Swan River, Todd County, Minnesota WABIZIWI SAGAIIGUN MEGWE SHINWAKOKI “Little-SwanLake-Amidst-the-Pines.” Location not precisely known. Possibly present day Little Swan Lake, Todd County, Minnesota.

138

W A G W A SSIK A G “W hite-B irch-P lace.” Solon Springs, Wisconsin, upper St. Croix Lake. 1 WAPAGASET “White-Pelican-Lake.” Polk County, Wisconsin.

W ASSIW AG AN I SAGAIIGUN “Torch-Lake,” Le Lac du

Flambeau, Rusk County, Wisconsin. The outlet stream has the same name. WATAB SAGAIIGUN “Spruce-Roots-Lake,” named for the roots

with which canoes are sewed. Located five miles due west of Sauk Rapids, the first lake up the Watab River. WATAB ZIBI “Spruce-Roots-River,” named for the roots with

which canoes are sewed. WEQUAGAMONG “Southend-Bay” Cove Bay, Mille Lacs. WEWAGIGUMAG SAGAIIGUN “Crooked-Lake.” This lake three

miles northwest of the village of Osakis is no longer in existence. WEZAWAGUMI SAGAIIGUN “Yellow-Water-Lake.” Yellow

Lake, Wisconsin. The outlet has the same name. WIBOSHINGWAKOKA ZIBIWISHE “The-Creek-That-is-Very-

Constricted-by-Pines.” Tibbett’s Creek, a tributary of the Rum River six miles north of Milaca, Minnesota. WIBUDJIWANONG “The-Rapids-at-the-Contraction-of-the-

River.” The dalles of the St. Croix. (Taylor Falls, Minnesota) WIGOBI SAGAIIGUN “Basswood-Lake.” Present day Wood

Lake, near Grantsburg, Wisconsin. The more ancient name was CAN MDE, “Wood-Lake”, the Dakota name. WIGOBI ZIBI “Basswood-River.” near Grantsburg, Wisconsin. WIQUEGUMANSING “The-Little-Bay.” Vineland, southwest cor­

ner of Mille Lacs. WISKONSING ZIBI The meaning is uncertain. The suffix com­

monly shown as SING, SIN or SAN indicates place or location. Fr. Baraga states it means, “The-Small-Lodge-of-a-Beaver-or Muskrat” ; “River-of-a-Thousand-lslands”; “Red-Stone,” etc. Spellings of the name varied: OUISKONCKE, MESCONSING, OUISCONSING and WISKONSAN. Father Marquette, the first white man to travel it in 1673 wrote the name as Meskousing, meaning “red stone” which was characteristic of the banks of the river.

INDEX DAKOTA PLACE NAMES Beliefs and Traditions Subject

Reference

Anti-natural god HE-YO-KA Anti-natural god’s abode HE-YO-KATI Barn Bluff moved to Winona HE-YA-KA CO-KA (YA) O-WAN KA and Trempeleau Bear, member of the Grand Medicine Society MISHA MOKWA Chief of All Evil l-YA Clouded Day, her death song O-WA-MNI-YO-MNI Crooked Foot’s abandoned home SI-HA-HMIN TO-TI-WO-TA Double-Faced Woman A-NOG l-TE TA-KU WA-KAN TI-PI Dwelling place of the gods TA-TE TO-PA; TI-PI WA-KAN; A-NOG l-TE Four Winds God of the North, land of the ghosts WA-ZI-YA God of the South l-TO-KA-GA; WA-ZI-YA MDE WA-KO-NI-YA; UN-KTE-HI; God of the Waters and Underworld TAN-KA MDE MA-HPI-YA HO-TA-WIN Gray Cloud Island, sacred tree Great Lynx or Lion (Kitchi Manitou) MISSHIPESHU WA-NA-GI KA-GA-PI Imitates a ghost CAN-DU-HU-PA SA KA-PI; Petroglyphs O-TA-KA PSIN-CA; WO-WA-PI YAN-KA MDE l-E U-DAN Lake that talks WIN-YAN PSI-CA Maiden Rock, Wise. WI-CA-STA WA-KAN Medicine man, the visionary MISHA MOKWA; KINNIKINNIK ZIBI Nanabozu, demi-god WA-NA-GI PA-ZO-DAN Peninsula in Wayzata Bay O-HE YA-WA-HE Pilot Knob, its origin O-CE-YA-DAN Place where they weep, Nobles Co., Minn. TI-PI WA-KAN Pond’s mission house; Dakota religion IN-YAN SA Red Rock, Newport, Minn. CAN-DU-HU-PA SA KA-PI Red Stone Quarries, legend TA-KU-WA-KAN TI-PI Sacred Hill, Fort Snelling TUN-KAN Sacred Rock, court of justice UN-KTO-MI Spider, imp of mischief

b Reference

Subject

MA-TO WA-KAN WA-KIN-YAN; WAN-YE-CA O-ZU WA-KIN-YAN HO-HPI Thunder Bird’s nest, Hankinson, N.D. WA-KIN-YAN O-WE Thunder Bird's track, Brown’s Valley, Minn. HO-GAN O-WAN-KA KIN Where the big fish lies, St. Croix River HE TO-PA KTE Where the Four-Horns was killed, Washington Co. Minn. CAN O-TI DAN Wood-sprite Wood-sprite’s drinking fountain, Granite Falls, Minn. O-MNI YA-SKE TA-WA Wood-sprite’s playhouse CAN-O-TI-DAN TI O-SKA-TA Wood-sprite’s workshop CAN-O-TI-DAN O-HAN Spirit-bear of Lake Isabel, Hastings, Minn. Thunder Bird

Camp Sites, Villages, Trading Posts, Enemy Tribes

U-TU-HU O-ZU A celebrated trading-place, James River, S. D SUN-KA SA-PA Black Dog’s village SI-HA-HMIN TO-TI-WO-TA Brown’s trading post near Sisseton, S.D. O-TA-KA PSIN-CA Brown’s Valley, Minn. SI-CAN-GU Brules of the Titon Division, origin of name LA BUTTE D’HYVERMENT Butte where they winter, Black River, Wise. U-TA PA-HI-DA Chief Lean Grizzly Bear’s territory HE-YA-TA O-TON-WE Cloudman’s village, Lake Calhoun SUN-KA-WA-KAN TI-PI Dwelling place of horses, Finlay, N.D. TE-WA-PA Eagle Head’s village A-DEK-TI Faribault, Minn. TI ZA-PTAN NA Five Lodge Band of Sisitons TA KA-GA-PI MDE Flat Mouth, Chief of the Pillagers l-SAN TAN-KA TI-PI Fort Ridgely, Minn. HA-HA MDO-TE Fort Snelling, Minn. l-CA-HTA-KA; TI-TAN-KA TA-NI-NA Good Road’s village, Bloomington, Minn. CAN KA-GA O-TI-DAN Granite Falls, Minn. Hoop Hollow, near Peever, S.D. KA-KSI-ZA CAN-HDE-SKA Iowa and Oto tribes, early history IO-WA Iron Walker’s village, Carver Rapids IN-YAN CE-YA-KA O-TON-WE Isle of the bark lodge, Brown Co., Minn. MA-HPI-YA MA-NI WO-ZU Leaf Shooters, band of Santees WA-HPE-KU-TE Little Crow’s village, South St. Paul KA-PO-ZA Mdewakantonwan village; geneology of Chief Good Road Tl TAN-KA TA-NI-NA Medicine Bottle, chief and medicine man, Pine Bend, Minn. WA-KAN O-ZAN-ZAN

c Reference

Subject

Moccasin Thong Band Village, Yellow Medicine County HIN-TA HAN-KPAN WO-ZU Ojibwas of the St. Croix MENOMINIKESHIAG PTAN SIN-TA Ottertail village, Lake Traverse TIN-TA WI-TA Prairie Island, Minn. HU-PA-HU SA Red Wing, chief l-MNI-ZA SKA DAN St. Paul, city of SA-HI-YE-NA WO-ZU CA-SMU NA Sandhills where the Sheyennes plant TIN-TA O-TON-WE Shakopee’s village, Scott County, Minn. WAK ZU PA-TA Sisiton village on the Cottonwood I-STA HBA Sleepy Eye, chief TI-TAN-KA HA Summer lodge or Ti-pi Tan-ka, Oakwood Lakes, S.D. CE-GA l-YE-YA-PI Two Kettles, band of Titons, origin of name O-TE-HI O-TON-WE Wapeton village near Traverse des Sioux TA-KA-PSI-CA TON-WAN-YAN Wapeton village near Belle Plaine WI-YA-KA O-TI Wapeton village, St. Lawrence TP., Scott County MI-NI-O-WE Wabasha, Minn. Wabasha’s village, Winona, Minn. TI-TAN-KA TA-NI-NA; WA-PA-HA-SA Where there are many dog heads, Barnes County, N.D. SUN-KA PA O-TA Winnebago tribe; migrations of other Siouan tribes HOCANGARA Effigies, Mounds, and Inscriptions

Bow and arrow effigy, Hager City, Wise. Buffalo effigy, Traverse Co., Minn. Elk effigy, Norwood, Minn. Five Hawks, effigies, Prior Lake Moose effigy, Graceville, Minn. Otter effigy, Lake Traverse, Minn. Punished Woman’s Lake, Coteau des Prairies Rabbit effigy, Traverse County, Minn. Stone man effigy, Murray County on the Coteau Tree dweller mound, Clay County, S.D. Turkey effigy, Vermillion River, S.D

WAN-HIN-KPE KA-GA-PI TA-TAN-KA KA-GA-PI TA KA-GA-PI WA-KPA-DAN CE-TAN KA-GA-PI TA KA-GA-PI MDE PTAN KA-GA-PI WIN-YAN KA-STA-KA-PI MDE MA-STIN-CA KA-GA-PI IN-YAN WI-CA-STA KA-GA-PI HE CAN-O-TI-DAN ZI-ZI-CA KA-GA-PI PA-HA

Lakes

Armstrong Lake, Butternut TP., Blue Earth County, Minn. MDE WI-YA-KA Artichoke Lake, Big Stone County, Minn. WA-KAN NI-WAN Ash Island Lake, East Chain TP., Martin Co., Minn. PSE-HTIN WI-TA August Lake, Cottonwood Co., Minn. MI-NI A-KI-PAM KA-DU-ZA Baker’s Lake, Penn TP., McLeod Co., Minn. MDE WA-STE

d Subject

Big Stone Lake

Reference

I-PA-KSAN; IN-YAN TAN-KIN-KIN-YAN Big Swan Lake, Dassel, Minn. NIGIDJIIKAG SAGAIIGUN Big Twin Lake, Martin Co., Minn. TA-SPAN 0 WI-TA Big Watab Lake, Stearns County, Minn. WATAB SAGAIIGUN Bitter Lake, Day County, S.D. CAN-ZI MDE Black Dog Lake, Dakota County, Minn. CO-KAN HAN-SKA Black Oak Lake, Chippewa County, Minn. U-TU-HU SA-PA Blowsnake Lake, Meeker County, Minn. NEWE SAGAIIGUN Blue Dog Lake, near Waubay, S.D. SUN-KA-TO-TA-WA Blue Earth River source, Kossuth County, Iowa MI-NI A-KI PAM KA-DU-ZA Boone Lake, Renville County, Minn. U-TU-HU WI-TA-DAN PTE O-HAN-PI MDE Buffalo Lake, Chippewa County, Minn. MDE WI-YA-KA Buffalo Lake, Butternut TP., Blue Earth County BEKE NIGIDJII KAG SAGAIIGUN Buffalo Lake, Wright County, Minn. MDE WI-YA-KA Buffalo Lake, Waseca County, Minn. CAN-O-WAN NA-SA-PI Buffalo Lakes, Marshall County, S.D. HO-KA SAN BE Bullhead Lake, Robert County, S.D. MDE MA-KA SKA Calhoun, Minneapolis MDE TI-TAN-KA TAN-NI-NA Cannon Lake, Rice County, Minn. HAN-TE-SA YU-KAN Cedar Lake, Martin County, Minn. HAN-TE SA WI-TA Cedar Lake, McCloud/Meeker Counties WI-TA O-TA MDE Cedar Lake, Rice County, Minn. MDE HAN-TE-SA Cedar Lake, Scott County, Minn. SUNK-TAN-KA Chatonka Beach, Prior Lake, Minn. KITCHI SAGAIIGUN Chisago Lake, Chisago County, Minn. Circle Lake, Rice County, Minn. MDE HMI-YAN OU ILS TIRENT Clear Lake, Sigel TP., Brown County, Minn. UN ESPECE DE POISSON MDE MI-NI SO-TA Clear Lake, Nicollet Co., Minn. Clearwater Lake, Wright/Stearns Counties, Minn. GA-WAKUMIG SAGAIIGUN Cleary’s Lake, Scott County, Minn. TA-HIN-CA MDE GITCHI/JOUAN SAGAIIGUN Coon Lake, Anoka County, Minn. Cottonwood Lake (extinct), Faribault Co., Minn. WA-GA HDE-HDE Crystal Lake, Cannon City, Rice Co., Minn. MDE l-ZU-ZA Dane Lake, Brown County, Minn. KAN-TA YU-SPI Dead Racoon Lake, Lincoln County, Minn. WI-CA TA MDE Deadwood Island Lake, Renville Co., Minn. WI-TA CAN-TA MDE Dean’s Lake, Scott County, Minn. MDE WI-WI DAN

e Subject

Reference

MI-NI WA-KAN Devil’s Lake, N.D. SUN-KA MDE Dog Lake, East Lake Lillian TP., Kandiyohi Co., Minn. SU-PE CO-GE MDE Drifting Guts Lake, Coteau des Prairies, S.D. CAN SE-CA O-ZU Drywood Lakes, Roberts County, S.D. WA-GA O-ZU MDE Eagle Lake, Martin County, Minn. TA KA-GA-PI MDE East Toqua Lake, Graceville, Minn. Elk Lake, Palo Alto County, Iowa MDE TA NA-SDU-TA MDE HO-KA-MAN Elysian Lake, Waseca County, Minn. MDE CO-KIN Emily, Pope County, Minn. Enemy Swim Lake, Coteau des Prairies, S.D. TO-KA NI-WAN YA-PI CAN SE-CA MDE-DAN Fish Lake, Jackson County, Minn. PA-HA TO-PA MDE Four Hills, Lake of the, Sargent Co., N.D. HMA-HU WI-TA Fox Lake, Martin County, Minn. MDE WI-TA TO-NA-NA Fox Lake, Nicollet County, Minn. NEWE SAGAIIGUN Francis, lake, Meeker County, Minn. MDE SAN-NI-NA Goose Lake, west of St. Peter, Minn. WIN-KTA WAN ICI-KTE KIN Grass Lake, Coteau des Prairies, S.D. PSI-PSI-CA-NA MDE Grasshopper Lake, James River basin, N.D. MDE WAN-MDI WA-HA-PI Green Lake, Chisago County, Minn. KITCHI MINAGUA SAGAIIGUN Green Lake, Kandiyohi County, Minn. MDE HAN-SKA Hanska, lake, Brown County, Minn. MDE UN-MA Harriet, lake, Hennepin County, Minn. HO-KA BE NA Heron Lake, Jackson County, Minn. WI-TA WAN-KAN-TU High Island Lake, Sibley County, Minn. CAN HA SAN WI-TA Iowa, Goose, North & South Silver Lakes, Martin Co. MA-TO WA-KAN Isabel Lake, Hastings, Minn. WI-TA MDE Island Lake, Lime TP., Blue Earth Co., Minn. SIN-KPE O-KU-WA Jackson Lake, Blue Earth County, Minn. KAN-PE SKA MDE Kampeska Lake, Codington County, S.D. KAN-DI-YO-HI Kandiyohi Lake, Kandiyohi County, Minn. CE-GA l-YE-YA-PI Kettle Lakes, Marshall County, S.D. GAGAGIWIGWUNI SAGAIIGUN Koronis Lake, Stearns County, Minn. Lac de la Plume Bariolle, Castle Rock TP., MDE SKAN HIN HDE SKA Dakota County, Minn. MDE l-E U-DAN Lac qui Parle, Lac qui Parle County, Minn. MA-GA O-KU-WA-PI Lake Crystal, Judson/Garden City TP., Blue Earth Co. WI-TA TOM-NA Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis, Minn. CAN KA-PO-ZA Lake Thompson, Kingsbury County, S.D. TE-WA-PA TAN-KIN-KIN-YAN MDE Laura Lake, Blue Earth Co., Minn.

f Subject

Reference

Lieberg Lake, Butternut TP., Blue Earth County, Minn. MDE HU-YA HO-HPI Lily Lake near Lake Elysian, Waseca County, Minn. MDESKA Lone Tree Lake, Brown County, Minn. CAN WAN-ZI-DAN MDE MDE WA-KAN-TON-WAN Long Lake, New Brighton, Ramsey County, Minn. HMA-HU YAN-KA-DAN Loon Lake, Jackson County, Minn. KEG-O-MA-GO-SHIEG Loring Park area, Minneapolis, Minn. HU-TKAN MDE-DAN Low Lying Lake, Lac qui Parle County, Minn. Madison Lake, S.D. MDE WA-KAN TAN-IN; O-HO-MNI KI-IN-YAN-KA-PI MDE MDE CA-PA Madison Lake, Blue Earth County, Minn. MDE MA-YA SKA Manyaska Lake, Martin County, Minn. MDE TO-KA Marion, lake, Dakota County, Minn. PTEH-WI-TA Marsh Island Lake, Faribault County, Minn. MDE WI-TA TO-NA-NA Marsh Island Lake, Faribault County, Minn. MDE MA-ZA-SKA Mazaska, Rice County, Minn. MNI PE-ZU-TA Medicine Lake, Codington County, S.D. l-CA-PA CA-GA-STA-KA MDE Medicine Lake, Hennepin County, Minn. MDE O-CO-KA-YA Middle Lake, Nicollet County, Minn. WA-MDU-SKA TI-PI Minn. Lake, Faribault County, Minn. MI-NI l-ATAN-KA Minnetonka, Hennepin County, Minn. MDE SKO-TPA Minnewaska, Pope County, Minn. MDE TE-WA-PA-DAN Mud Lake, Blue Earth County, Minn. OMENOMINENSIWI SAGAIIGUN Mud Lake, Stearns County, Minn. PSA MDE Mud Lake, S.E. corner of Renville Co., Minn. MDE IN-KPA Mud Lake, Traverse County, Minn. MDE PU-SA Murphy’s Lake, Westford TP., Martin County, Minn. SUN-KA NA-KPA O’Dowd, lake, Scott County, Minn. TA CE-SDE TA-TAN-KA Oakwood Lake, Brookings County, S.D. O-CE-YA-DAN Ocheda Lake, Nobles County, Minn. WA-SIN HA-PI MDE Okabena Lake, Worthington, Minn. O-KO-BO-JI Okoboji, Dickinson County, Iowa OSAGI SAGAIIGUN Osakis, lake, Douglas County, Minn. Owl Lake near Enemy Swim Lake, S.D. HIN-HAN-KA-GA O-TA Pepin, lake TAN-KA MDE Perch Lake, Blue Earth Co., Minn. OU LES CANARDS NOIR JOUENT A COUP DE PIEDS Perch Lake, Westford TP., Martin County, Minn. LAC DE LA PERCHE CHAUDE Pickerel Lake, Day County, S.D. TA-MA-HE HAN-SKA O-CA-PA Pig’s Eye Lake, Ramsey County, Minn. CO-KAN TAN-KA

g Subject

Reference

Poinsett, lake, Hamlin County, S.D. UN-KCE-KCE-NA KITCHI MINAGUA SAGAIIGUN Prairie Oasis, lake, Kandiyohi County, Minn. MDE MA-YA TO Prior Lake, Scott County, Minn. Punished Woman’s Lake, Codington County, S.D WIN-YAN KA-STA-KA-PI MDE MA-ZA S’A MDE Red Iron Lake, Marshall County, S.D. HE-MI-NI-CAN KA-HMIN Red Wing Marina, Red Wing, Minnesota CE-DI MDE Reed’s Lake, Kandiyohi County, Minn. Rice Lake, Blue Earth County, Minn. MDE O-A-TI PSIN MDE Rice Lake, Hennepin/Carver Counties, Minn. MDE l-HAN-KE YAN-KA Rice Lake, Faribault County, Minn. CE-DI MDE HAN-SKA Rice Lake, Faribault County, Minn. TE-WA-PA Rice Lake, Glendale TP., Scott County, Minn. MDE HE-HA-KA O-TA Rice Lake, New Market TP., Scott Co., Minn. MI-NI A-KI-PAM KA-DU-ZA Rice Lake, Havana TP., Steele Co., Minn. WAN-YE-CA MDE Rice Lake, Waseca County, Minn. MENOMINIKAN SAGAIIGUN Rice Lake near Menomonie, Wise. MDE Zl l-HAN-KE Round Lake, Nobles County, Minn. CIN-KPA O-WO-ZU Roy Lake, Marshall County, S.D. CE-DI O-ZU Rush Lake, Day County, S.D. HO-GAN O-WAN-KA KIN St. Croix Lake, Minn./Wisc. MDE SKA-TA Sakatah, lake, Rice County, Minn. MDE HAN-SKA-DAN School Lake, MadeliaTP., Watonwan County, Minn. CAN SA-SA O-KA-KSA School Lake, Sigel TP., Brown Co., Minn. MDE-GA BE Shetek, Murray County, Minn. Silver Lake, Jessenland TP., Sibley Co., Minn. MDE WI-YA-KA PTAN SKA KTE-PI Silver Lake, west of Spirit Lake, Iowa MDE WA-KAN Spirit Lake, Kingsbury Co., S.D. Spirit Lake, Iowa; Devil’s Lake, N.D. MI-NI WA-KAN SUKUTAGUNI SAGAIIGUN Spunk Lake, Stearns County, Minn. CAN PA-KSA MDE Stump Lake near Durand, Wise. Sturgeon and North Lakes, Goodhue Co., Minn. MDE l-CI-YA-HDE SA-KI-YA TA-WA MDE Sturgeon Lake, Prairie Island, Minn. KAN-DI KA-STA KTE-PI Summit Lake, Cottonwood County, Minn. MEMOKAGE SAGAIIGUN Sunrise Lake, Chisago Co., Minn. MA-GA-TAN-KA O-TA MDE Swan Lake, Nicollet County, Minn. WA-KIN-YAN KI-CA-KSA Swan Lake, Esterville, Iowa ASHKAKWA SAGAIIGUN Tainter Lake, Dunn County, Wise. KAN-DI KA-STA-KA-PI MDE Talcott Lake, Cottonwood County, Minn. MDE HO-KA MAN-PI-DAN Temperance Lake, Martin County, Minn.

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Reference

Tewaukon Lake, Sargent County, N.D. MAN-KA MDE Three Islands that Pee, Blue Earth Co., Minn WI-TA UN-KCE S’A-MNA Three Lakes, Cottonwood County, Minn. WI-TA KA-HBO-KA Thunderbird Lake, Peever, S.D. WA-KIN-YAN O-WE MDE Timber Lake, Nicollet County, Minn. MDE O-WA-NI-TI Traverse, lake, Traverse County, Minn. MDE HDA-KIN-YAN Tuttle Lake, Martin County, Minn. MDE HO-KA MAN-PI DAN TAN-KA Twin Lakes, Grant County, S.D. MDE WA-TO-PA-PI-DAN Twin Lakelets, near Hankinson, N.D. MDE NON-PA NA Two Woods Lake, Deuel County, S.D. CAN NON-PA MDE Union Lake, Rice County, Minn. WI-TA CE-DI Vermillion river source, lakes Henry & Thompson, S.D CAN KA-PO-ZA Waconia, lake, Carver County, Minn. MDE WA-KO-NI-YA Walnut Lake, Faribault County, Minn. MDE WA-KIN-YAN KI-CA-KSA Wapagaset Lake, Polk County, Wise. WAPAGASET Waubay, Coteau des Prairies, S.D. WA-BE West chain of lakes, Martin County, Minn. MDE l-YA-HDE WA-KPA West Toqua Lake, Graceville, Minn. TA KA-GA-PI MDE SUN-KA-KU Where they hunt the muskrat (extinct lake) SIN-KPE O-KU-WA (MDE) Where they paddle across lake, Grant Co., S.D. MDE WA-TO-PA-PI DAN White Bear Lake, Ramsey County, Minn. MA-TO MDE Wilmert Lake, Silver Lake TP., Martin Co., Minn. WI-NO-HCA O-ZU MDE CAN Wood Lake, Yellow Medicine County, Minn. Islands

Gray Cloud Island, Washington County, Minn. MA-HPE-YA HO-TA WIN Island opposite Red Wing HE-MNI ■CAN l-TA-KA-SAM WI-TA WI-TA SI-CA Jensen’s Island, Lake Traverse WI-TAN SNI WI-TA Maiden’s Isle, Lake Kampeska, S.D. Nicollet Island, Minneapolis, Minn, (the beautiful isle) WI-TA WA-STE WI-TA TAN-KA Pike Island, mouth of Minnesota River WI-TA KAN-TA Plum Island, adjacent Mud Lake, Robert Co., S.D. Prairie Island, Minn. TIN-TA WI-TA Sacred Island, Eagan, Minn. WI-TA WA-KAN Spirit Island below St. Anthony Falls WA-NA-GI WI-TA Where there are many tipis TI-PI O-TA Rapids-Waterfalls

Chippewa Falls, Wise. Dell Rapids, S.D.

KAKABIKA l-MNI-ZA YU-SDE-CA

Reference

Subject

Little Rapids, Carver, Minn. Minnehaha Falls Minneopa Falls, Mankato, Minn. Saint Anthony Falls (Ojibwa) Saint Anthony Falls (Dakota) Saint Croix Falls, Wise. Vermillion River Falls, Hastings, Minn.

IN-YAN CE-YA-KA MI-NI HA-HA MI-NI NI-NA KA-DU-ZA l-YO-PTA KITCHI KAKABIKA O-WA-MNI-YO-MNI WIBUDJIWANONG; MENOMINIKESHI KAKABIKANG O-WO-BO-PTE HA-HA

Rivers, Creeks, and Springs

Badger Creek, Faribault Co., Minn. I-CI-KTE YAN-KA Badger Creek, north branch, Faribault Co., Minn. CAN TO-NA-NA HDE-HDE HA-HA WA-KPA-DAN Bassett’s Creek, Hennepin Co., Minn. Beaver Creek, Canton, S.D. WA-KPA HE CO-KA WAN-KA CA-PA WA-KPA-DAN Beaver Creek, Renville Co., Minn. I-PA HMI-HMA WA-KPA Bevin’s Creek, Carver Co., Minn. Big Bend of the Des Moines, l-PA-KSAN Great Bend TP., Cottonwood Co. WA-KPA-DAN TAN-KA Big River, Pierce County, Wise. CAN KA-SDE-CA; WA-KPA l-PA-KSAN Big Sioux River CAN 0 IN-KPA WA-KPA Black Cat Creek, Kossuth County, Iowa SA-PA WA-KPA Black River, Wise. CASSE FUSILS Black River mouth, Wise. MA-KA-TO O-ZE Blue Earth River, Blue Earth Co., Minn. PA-HIN WA-KPA-DAN Bogus Creek, Pepin County, Wise. MA-KA YU-SO-SA Boiling Springs, Scott Co., Minn. O-ZA-TE Bois de Sioux and Ottertail Junction CAN IN-TPA WA-KPA Bois de Sioux River, Traverese County, Minn. CAN-SU-SKA WA-KPA-DAN Box elder Creek, tributary of the Sheyenne, N.D SI-CAN GU WA-KPA Brule Creek, Union County, S.D. Buffalo Creek, McLeod County, Minn. TA PA O-HAN-PI WA-KPA TA-TAN-KA WA-KPA Buffalo River, Buffalo County, Wise. Cannon River, Minn. IN-YAN BO-SDA-TA WA-KPA HDO-HDO-DO-WAN Carver Creek, Carver County, Minn. CAN NA-HMA-DAN Chanarambie Creek, Murray County, Minn. Chanpepedan Creek, Murray County, Minn. CAN PE-PE DAN Chippewa River, Minn. MA-YA WA-KAN WA-KPA Chippewa River, Wise. HA-HA-TON-WAN WA-KPA Clay Creek, Yankton County, S.D. MA-KA SAN O-ZE

j Subject

Reference

Clearwater River, Wright & Stearns Counties, Minn. GA-WAKUMIG ZIBI Cobb River, Blue Earth County, Minn. TE-WA-PA-DAN WA-KPA Coon Creek, Anoka County, Minn. PTE-GA WA-KPA-DAN Cottonwood Creek, Robert County, S.D. CAN SAN-NI-CA WA-KPA Cottonwood River, Minn. WA-GA O-ZU WA-KPA Credit River, Scott County, Minn. HE-HA-KA HNA-KA WA-KPA-DAN Crow River (Ojibwa) ANDAIG WIGWAN ZIBI Crow River (Dakota) KAN-GI SUN WA-KPA Crow River, north branch MA-GA WA-KPA Des Moines River IN-YAN SA-SA WA-KPA Des Moines River, east branch IN-YAN SA-SA WA-KPA SUN-KA-KU Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Minn. HU-YA PA Eagle Creek, Fountain City, Wise. WAN-MDI WA-KPA-DAN Eau Claire River, Wise. GA-WAKUMIG ZIBI HE WA-STE WA-KPA Eau Galle River, Wise. KABITAWI ZIBI Elk River, Sherburne County, Minn. CAN-SU-SKA WA-KPA-DAN Elm Creek, Martin County, Minn. PE WA-KPA Elm River, Brown County, S.D. WA-NA-GI KA-GA-PI Emanuel Creek, Bon Homme County, S.D. KIBISKABITIGOUEYAG Fish Creek, Wright County, Minn. CAN KI-YU-TE O-CAN-KA Forest Prairie Creek, Le Sueur, Minn. WAH-CIN-CA WA-KPA-DAN Fort Ridgely Creek, Minn. CE-TAN BE WA-KPA-DAN Hawk Creek, Renville County, Minn. HE-MNI-CAN WA-KPA-DAN Hay Creek, Red Wing, Minn. CAN SA-SA WA-KPA-DAN Hazel Run, Yellow Medicine County, Minn. Heron Creek, Jackson County, Minn. HO-KA BE NA WA-KPA High Island Creek, Sibley County, Minn. WI-TA WAN-KAN-TU WA-KPA-DAN Highwater Creek, Cottonwood County, Minn. PA-HA MA-STIN-CA WA-KPA WAN-HIN-KPE WA-KPA Isabel River, enters Lake Pepin at Bay City, Wise. James River, S.D. CAN SAN-SAN WA-KPA Jump River, tributary of Chippewa River, Wise. MANITOWIS ZIBI Kanaranzi Creek, Rock County, Minn. KAN-ZI WI-CA KTE-PI Kinnickinnic River, Wise. KINNIKINNIK ZIBI Lac qui Parle River IN-KPA WA-KPA-DAN La Crosse River, Wise. TA-KA-PSI-CA WA-KPA Le Sueur River, Blue Earth County, Minn. CAN KA-SNA-SNA WA-KPA Little Cobb River, Blue Earth County, Minn. PSA MDE WA-KPA Little Cottonwood/Mound Creek area, Cottonwood County l-MNI-ZA KA-SDE-CA

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Reference

Little Cottonwood River, Minn. WA-GA O-ZU WA-KPA SUN-KA-KU Little Rock Creek, Nicollet County, Minn. l-MNI-ZA-DAN Little Sioux River IN-YAN YAN-KA WA-KPA Lost Creek, Deuel County, S.D. MNI TAN-IN-SNI Maple River, Blue Earth County, Minn. TE-WA-PA TAN-KIN-KIN-YAN WA-KPA Maple River, southeastern N.D. CAN-SU-SKA WA-KPA-DAN Meeting of the Rivers O-KI-ZU WA-KPA Mendota, Dakota County, Minn. MDO-TE MI-NI-SO-TA Minnehaha Creek, Hennepin County, Minn. WA-KPA CI-STIN-NA Minnesota River WA-KPA MI-NI-SO-TA Misha Mokwa Creek, Misha Mokwa, Wise. MISHA MOKWA Mississippi River (Dakota) HA-HA WA-KPA Mississippi River (Ojibwa) MISI ZIBI Missouri River, origin of name MNI SO-SE WA-KPA Moon Creek, Le Sueur County, Minn. WI-WI l-HAN-KE WA-KPA-DAN Mustinka River, Traverse County, Minn. MA-STIN-CA WA-KPA Nine Mile Creek, Bloomington, Minn. l-YU-TA-PI NA-PCIN-WAN-KA Otter Creek, Wright County, Minn. MEGAUDEWINING Ottertail River, Minn. PTAN SIN-TE WA-KPA Palmer Creek, Granite Falls TP., Chippewa County, Minn. MA-YA SA Pell Creek, west of Lamberton, Minn. WI-NO-HIN-CA NOM KI-CI-KTE-PI Perch River, Martin/Watonwan Counties, Minn. RIVIERE DE LA PERCHE CHAUDE Pipestem Creek, tributary of the Big Sioux, S.D. O-WA-SE O-KE Pipestone Creek, Pipestone County, Minn. CAN-DU-HU-PA SA WA-KPA Pomme de Terre River O-WO-BO-PTE WA-KPA Prickly Pear River, Murray County, Minn. CAN PE-PE DAN IROQUOIS Purgatory Creek, Hennepin County, Minn. Rattling Springs, Prairie Island, Goodhue Co., Minn. MI-NI BO-MDU-TA Red Cedar River, S.E. Minn. CAN SE-CA WA-KPA Red Cedar River, Wise. MISKWAWAKOKAN ZIBI Redwood River, Minn. CAN SA-YA PI WA-KPA Rice Creek, Anoka County, Minn. (Ojibwa) MENOMINIKAN ZIBI O-TON-WE WA-KPA-DAN Rice Creek, Anoka County, Minn. (Dakota) Riley Creek, Eden Prairie, Minn. WI-NO-HIN-CA KTE-PI River bend at Cambridge, Minn. (Rum River) SHIBADJWUNK River of many squirrels, below Upper Iowa River, Iowa ZI-CA O-TA WA-KPA River where they make canoes, eastern Iowa CAN WA-TA KA-GA-PI WA-KPA

I Subject

Reference

River where they slit the bark, eastern Iowa PA-KA KA-HU WA-KPA CAN KI-YU-TE WA-KPA-DAN Robert’s Creek, Scott County, Minn. IN-YAN HE-YA-KA WA-KPA Rock River, Rock County, Minn. Rollingstone Creek, Winona County, Minn. IN-YAN HMI-HMA Root River, Houston County, Minn. HU-TA WA-KPA Root River, middle fork WAN-HI YU-KAN Rum River, Minn. (Ojibwa) ISHKODE WABO Rum River, Minn. (Dakota) MDO-TE MI-NI-WA-KAN WAN-YE-CA WA-KPA-DAN Rush Creek, Champlin, Minn. Rush Creek, Chisago County, Minn. PTE-GA WA-KPA Rush River, Henderson, Minn. WAN-YE-CA O-ZU WA-KPA Rush River, Maiden Rock, Wise. MA-YA SA WA-KPA WA-KAN WA-PA-HA Sacred Heart Creek, Renville Co., Minn. Saint Croix River, Minn./Wisc. (Ojibwa) MENOMINIKESHI ZIBI Saint Croix River (Dakota) O-KI-ZU WA-KPA Saint Francis River, Sherburne Co., Minn. WI-CA NI-WAN Snake River, Spinks County, S.D. WA-MDU-SKA YA-TA-PA-PI Sauk River, Minn. OSAGI ZIBI O-MNI-NA WA-KAN WA-KPA-DAN Shingle Creek, Hennepin County, Minn. SUKUTAGUNI ZIBI Spunk River, Stearns County, Minn. O-WO-TAN-NA WA-KPA Straight River, Steele/Rice Counties, Minn. Stray Horse Creek, tributary of the Big Sioux, S.D. CAN SA-SA YAN-KA-DAN MEMOKAGE ZIBI Sunrise River, Chisago County, Minn. Three Mile Creek Renville Co., Minn. MA-KA-I-YU-TA-PI YA-MNI WA-KPA-DAN Trempealeau River, Wise. HE-YA-KA WA-KPA Trimbelle River, Diamond Bluff, Wise O-NA-HDO-KA WO-ZU-PI l-PA WA-KPA-DAN Turkey River area, Clayton County, Iowa MA-KI l-CA-MNA WA-KPA Upper Iowa River, N.E. Iowa HU-HA-KA IN-YAN-KAWA-KPA Upper sources of Blue Earth River WA-GA HAN WAN-ZI WA-KPA Union Slough Nat’l Wildlife (Blue Earth River) MI-NI A-KI-PAM KA-DU-ZA Vermillion River, Hastings, Minn. WA-SE-SA WA-KPA; O-WO-BO-PTE WA-KPA Vermillion River, South Dakota WA-SE O-YU-ZE WA-KPA Wapsipinecon River, N.E. Iowa WABIZIPINIKAN ZIBI Watab River, Stearns County, Minn. WATAB ZIBI

m Subject

Reference

Watonwan River, Watonwan Co., Minn. OU LE CARIBOU EST MORT Watonwan River, north fork, Watonwan Co., Minn. CAN-SU-SKA WA-KPA-DAN Watonwan River, south fork, Watonwan Co., Minn. WA-TON-WAN KTE-PI WA-KPA Where the rivers separate, Princeton, Minn. NINGITAWITIGWEYANG Whetstone River, Wilmot, S.D.; Sand Creek, Scott Co., Minn. l-ZU-ZA WA-KPA Whitewater Creek, Wabasha County, Minn. MI-NI SKA Wild Rice River, south-east N.D. PSIN HU WA-KPA Willow River, Wise. GA-OSSISSIGOBIMIJIKA ZIBI Wisconsin River mouth Kl BISAGI Wolf Creek, Hutchinson County, S.D. MA-KA SA-PA WA-KPA Wolf Creek, Rice County, Minn. SUNK-TO-KE-CA WA-KPA-DAN Yellow Bank River, Lac Qui Parle Co., Minn. MA-KA ZI O-ZE Yellow Medicine River, Yellow Medicine County PE-ZI HU-TA ZI KA-PI WA-KPA Zumbro River, Minn. WA-ZI O-ZU WA-KPA Topography

Abode of departed souls Antelope Hills, western Lac qui Parle County, Minn. Barn Bluff, Red Wing, Minn. Barn Bluff’s Younger Brother, Red Wing, Minn. Bear’s Den Hillock, Sheyenne River, N.D. Big Tom Hill, Grant County, South Dakota Big Woods Black Bear Valley, Eggleston, Goodhue Co., Minn. Black Bluff, Mankato, Minn. Blue Earth River Gorge, Vernon Center, Minn. Bluffs in the Fort Ridgely area Broken Gun Channel, mouth of Black River, Wise. Buffalo Calf Hillock, north of Sisseton, S.D. Buffalo Lookout Hill, Sleepy Eye, Minn. Buzzard’s Nest, Day County, S.D. Carver’s Cave, St. Paul, Minn. Castle Rock, Dakota County, Minn. Chanhassen, Carver County, Minn. Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wise. Coteau des Prairies, its beginning Crane Hill, Lake Traverse, Minn.

PA-HA O-KA-DU-ZA PA-HA TA-TO-KA-DAN HE MNI CAN HE-MNI-CAN SUN-KA-KU MA-TO Tl PA-HA HE WA-KAN CAN KI-YU-TE O-CAN-KA MA-TO SA-PA KA-KSI-ZA MA-YA HE SA-PA MA-YA KI-CA-KSA CAN SDA CI-KA-DAN CASSE FUSILS PTE CIN-CA SI-CA PA-HA O-HE YA-WA-HE DAN HE-CA O-TI WA-KAN TI-PI IN-YAN BO-SDA-TA CAN-HA-SAN PA-HA ESSIBANIPASSADINANG HE l-PA PE-HAN HA-PI

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Reference

UN-CI-SI-CA-DAN MI-NI-HDO-KA Crow Rookery, Prairie Island SUN-KA-WA-KAN CIN-CA TA PA-HA Dead Colt Hill, Sargent County, N.D. O-NA-HDO-KA WO-ZU-PI l-PA Diamond Bluff, Wise. CAP KILIOU Eagle Point, Buffalo County, Wise. HE-HA-KA NI-TE Elk’s Rump, Willow River, Wise. BATTURE AUX FIEVRES Fever Banks, near Carver Rapids, Minn. IN-YAN TI-PI Fountain Cave, St. Paul, Minn. PA-HA TO-PA Four Hills, Sargent County, N.D. CAN PTA-YA TAN-KA Great Oasis, Murray County, Minn. YA-MNU-MNU-GA-PI WI-TA Hackberry Grove, Redwood County, Minn. MI-NI WA-KAN CAN-TE Heart of the Enchanted Waters, Devil’s Lake, N.D. WA-KAN-KA MA-MA Hills resembling a woman’s breasts MA-YA MA-ZA-ZI HA-PI Hill where they buried the gold, Prior Lake, Minn. PA-HA TI HAN-SKA Hill of the Long Lodge, Appleton, Minn. HE HDO-KA Hole-in-the-Mountain, Lincoln County, Minn. HE-HDO-KA SUN-KA-KU Hole-in-the-Mountain’s brother IN-YAN TI-YO-PA Inyan Tiyopa, Lake Pepin, Frontenac, Minn. TI-PI O-TA; PRAIRIE AUX CYPRES Juniper Prairie, mouth of Zumbro River KA-SO-TA Kasota Prairie, Le Sueur County, Minn. TIN-TA TA-KA-PSI-CA Lacrosse Prairie, Cottage Grove TP., Washington Co. WA-ZU-STE-CA YAN-KA Lacrosse Prairie, La Crosse, Wise. IN-YAN MA-ZA SU Lead found in Red Wing area KA-KSI-ZA HAN-SKA Long Hollow, Renville County, Minn. l-PA HAN-SKA Long Sandbar in Minn. River, Brown County, Minn. PA-HA PA-ZO-DAN Lookout Hill southeast of Hastings, Minn. l-ZO Peninsula on Big Stone Lake O-HE-YA-WA-HE Pilot Knob, its origin; the graves of lovers CAN-DU-HU-PA SA KA-PI Pipestone Quarries Prairie du Chien KIBISAGI WAN-HIN YAN-KA DAN Prairie of the Arrow, LeSueur Co., Minn. PRAIRIE DES FRANCAIS Prairie of the French, Shakopee, Minn. PRAIRIE AUX AILES Prairie of the Wings, Winona, Minn. TIN-TA TAN-KA Prairies of southeastern Minn. WI-TA HU-TA l-YA-HDE Presqu’ile, Windsor TP., Lake Traverse, Minn. Pretty Hills, Pepin/Buffalo Counties, Wise. HE WA-STE MA-KA SA WA-KPA-DAN Red Stone, Courtland TP., Nicollet County, Minn. River divorces one bed to join another IN-KPA WA-KPA-DAN Round Point, left bank of Minn. River, Carver County l-PA HMI-HMA

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Reference

Round Prairie, Carver/Sibley Counties, Minn. CAN HMI-HMA St. Croix Dalles, St. Croix/Taylors Falls WIBUDJIWANONG Sand Hills, southeastern North Dakota SUN-KA YU-HDA-TA PA-HA Sica Hollow, northwest of Sisseton, Marshall County, S.D. KA-KSI-ZA SI-CA Small, crooked hill, Vernon Center, Blue Earth Co., MN HE-I-PA KSI-KSAN Snow Nest, near Enemy Swim Lake, South Dakota WA-MAN Stag Point, Credit River, Scott County, Minn. HE-HA-KA l-PA Standing Cedars on the St. Croix River HAN-TE NA-ZIN Thunderbird Ridge, east of Peever, South Dakota WA-KIN-YAN O-WE PA-HA Trempealeau Mountain, Trempealeau, Wise. HE-YA-KA CO-KA (YA) O-WAN-KA Wabasha, Minn. MI-NI-O-WE Walking Stones, Correll, Minn.; Peever, S.D. IN-YAN MA-NI Walnut Grove, Redwood County, Minn. HMA-HU WI-TA MA-YA SKA DAN White Rock, LeSueur County, Minn. Whitish clay deposits, Veblin, S.D. MA-YA SAN CAN TAN-KA Wood—bordering the Big Sioux River, S.D. Trails, Warfare, Hunting, and Fishing

Akicita, head soldier WA-ZI-YA; SA-KPE Ambush at Lake Marion, Dakota County, Minn. MDE TO-KA Battles: Battle Ground, Monticello, Minn. MEGAUDEWINING TAN-PA YU-KAN Birch Cooley, Nicollet County, Minn. Cannon River IN-YAN BO-SDA-TA CAN-KA-SNA-SNA WA-KPA Gray Tail, Blue Earth County, Minn. CAN-KA-SKA WA-KPA-DAN Kasota, Le Sueur County, Minn. Point Douglas, mouth of the St. Croix River O-KI-ZU WA-KPA SA-KPE; MA-KA YU-SO-TA Shakopee O-KI HE-YE-DAN Sheyenne River, Ransom County, N.D. MEMOKAGE SAGAIIGUN Sunrise Lake, Chisago County, Minn. MDECAN Wood Lake, Yellow Medicine County, Minn CAN-O-WAN NA-SA-PI Buffalo hunt in the woods, Marshall County, S.D. CAN-KA-SKA WA-KPA-DAN Defensive mounds above Cannon River MONT LA GARDE Demise of “Big Ojibwa” near mouth of Chippewa River WAN-MDI HO-HPI Eagle’s nest, Fountain City, Wise. MDE TA NA-SDU-TA Elk slaughter on frozen lake, Palo Alto Co., Iowa KAN-GI SUN WA-KPA Hostiles on mutual hunting grounds HE-YA-KA WA-KPA Last buffalo east of the Mississippi

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MDE NON-PA-NA Little Paul, defender of the captives HDO-HDO-DO-WAN No flight dance; grunting songs, Carver County, Minn. O-HE YA-WA-HE Pilot Knob, graves of Scarlet Dove & Eagle Eye GEGOSHUGAHMOTE Places where the fish come O-CE-YA-DAN Place where they weep, Nobles County, Minn. Road to war, Chippewa and Red Cedar Rivers, HA-HA-TON-WAN WA-KPA Wise. Sets-Fire-to-Hail, last Dakota killed by the Ojibwas TA KA-GA-PI MDE Spearing fish on Lake Kampeska, Codington County, S.D. KAN-PE-SKA MDE Squaw Hill, Kettle Lakes, S.D. WIN-YAN WI-CA KTE-PI PA-HA Trail from Lake Traverse to James River l-YA-KA-PTE-YA Trail from Redwing to Zumbrota WA-KAN TO-PA O-WE Where Longfoot and wife were killed SI-HA HAN-SKA WA-KPA-DAN Where big gun lay, Columbia, S.D. MA-ZA-KAN TAN-KA WAN-KA Where the caribou was killed OU LE CARIBOU EST MORT Where the Drifter was killed, near Fort Snelling KA-HBO-KA KTE Where the Kansas were killed, Rock County, Minn. KAN-ZE WI-CA KTE-PI Where the two boys were killed, Chandler, Minn. HO-KSI-DAN NOM WI-CA KTE-PI Where they chase the muskrats, Upper Iowa River HU-HA-KA IN-YAN-KA WA-KPA Where they hunt geese on Lake Crystal, Minn. MA-GA O-KU-WA-PI Where they hunt muskrats, Renville Co., OU ILS CHASSENT LES RATS MUSQUES Where they kill the buffalo fish, Cottonwood Co. KAN-DI KA-STA-KTE-PI Where they kill the white otters, Silver Lake, Iowa PTAN SKA KTE-PI Where they killed the two-headed buffalo calf PTE CIN-CA SI-CA PA-HA Where they quarry arrow flints WAN-HI YU-KAN; TIN-TA MA-GA BO-HPA Where they shoot at the elk, mouth of the Big Sioux U-PAN KU-TE Where they spiked the Sheyennes, Lincoln County, Minn. SA 0 KA-TAN Where they strike the buffalo fish, Cottonwood Co. KAN-DI KA-STA-KA-PI MDE

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OJIBWA PLACE NAMES Beliefs and Traditions Subject

Reference

Animals, revolt of Human effigy, Prairie du Chien Evil Incarnate God’s Wigwam, Mille Lacs County Totem, clan affiliation

MISHA MOKWA KICKAPOO ZIBI MISSHIPESHU MANITOWIGIWAMING DODEM Lakes

Balsam Lake, Polk County, Wise. ANINONDUCAGON BATAWI GUMAG Bass and Long Lakes, Todd County, Minn. MAKWA SAGAIIGUN Bear Lake, Barron County, Wise. Big Birch Lake, Todd County, Minn. GA-WIGWASSENSIKAG SAGAIIGUN Big Round Lake, Polk County, Wise. GA-WAWIIEGUMAG SAGAIIGUN NIGIDJIIKAG SAGAIIGUN Big Swan Lake, Meeker County, Minn. KITCHI WABIZI SAGAIIGUN Big Swan Lake, Todd County, Minn. BEKE NIGIDJIIKAG SAGAIIGUN Buffalo Lake, Wright County, Minn. KITCHI PAGANAG SAGAIIGUN Butternut Lake, Butternut, Wise. GA-WUBITAWANGAG SAGAIIGUN Carlos, lake, Douglas County, Minn. Chippewa, Devil, Little Chippewa and Stowe Douglas County, Minn. GA-AYANIKEGUMAG KITCHI SAGAIIGUN Chisago Lake, Chisago County, Minn. GA-WUBATAWANGAG SAGAGUN Christina, lake, Douglas County, Minn. GA-ESSIKAG SAGAIIGUN Clam Lake, Wise. GAWAKUMIG SAGAIIGUN Clearwater Lake, Wright & Stearns Counties GITCHI/JOUAN SAGAIIGUN Coon Lake, Anoka County, Minn. WEQUAGAMONG Cove Bay, Mille Lacs WEWAGIGUMAG SAGAIIGUN Crooked Lake, Todd County, Minn. BEMIDJIGUMAG Cross Lake, Pine County, Minn. WASSIWAGANI SAGAIIGUN Flambeau Lake, Rusk County, Wise. NEWE SAGAIIGUN Francis, lake, Meeker County, Minn. MOOSHKINE GIGU SAGAIIGUN Full of Fish Lake, Kanabec County, Minn. MISKWAWAKOKA SAGAIIGUN Goose Lake, Chisago County, Minn. SHIGWUNABIKO SAGAIIGUN Grindstone Lake, Pine County, Minn. MOZO SAGAIIGUN Hoyden Lake, Todd County, Minn. MOKOMANI SAGAIIGUN Knife Lake, Kanabec County, Minn. GAGAGIWIGWUNI SAGAIIGUN Koronis Lake, Stearns County, Minn. WABIZINSIKANING Lewis Lake, Mille Lacs County, Minn.

r Subject

Little Swan Lake, Todd County, Minn.

Reference

WABIZIWI SAGAIIGUNS MEGWE SHWAKOKI WABIZIWI SAGAIIGUN GA-GINOGUMAG BIMADAGUTCHIGUN SAGAIIGUN GINWA SAGAIIGUN MISA SAGAIIGUN GA-MUMINEWAMIWUNK OMENOMIN ENSIWI SAGAIIGUN NAMEKAGON SAGAIIGUN NOKA SAGAIIGUN NETUMIGUMAG ESHKQUEGUMAG OSAGI SAGAIIGUN OTAWA SAGAIIGUN SAHGING KAGINOGUAMAUG BINE SAGAIIGUN GA-WUBATAWANGAG SAGAIIGUN SHEDE SAGAIIGUN

Little Swan Lake, Todd County, Minn. Long Lakes, Crow Wing County, Minn. Long Lakes, Todd County, Minn. Long Lake, Washburn County, Wise. Mille Lacs Miltona Lake, Douglas County, Minn. Mud Lake, Stearns County, Minn. Namekagon Lake, Wise. Noka Lake, Crow Wing County, Minn. Ogechie Lake, Mille Lacs County, Minn. Onamia Lake, Mille Lacs County, Minn. Osakis Lake, Douglas County, Minn. Ottawa Lake, Sawyer County, Wise. Outlet Bay, Mille Lacs Owen Lake, Bayfield County, Wise. Partridge Lake, Todd County, Minn. Pelican Lake, Grant County, Minn. Pelican Lake, Sawyer County, Wise. Platte and Sullivan Lakes,Crow Wing, MOKODATAGAGWIM SAGAIIGUN Minnesota and Morrison Counties POKEGUMA SAGAIIGUN Pokegama Lake, Pine County, Minn. OPINIKANI SAGAIIGUN Pomme de Terre Lake, Grant County, Minn. ONEGAMING Portage Bay, Mille Lacs MUSHKODAMENOMINIKAN SAGAIIGUN Rice Lake, Barron County, Wise. MENOMINIKAN SAGAIIGUN Rice Lake, Dunn County, Wise. BIWANI SAGAIIGUN Rice Lake, Turtle Creek TP, Todd County, Minn. Rush LeiRg Chisago County,Minn. GA-SHASHAGANUSHKOKANI SAGAIIGUN PASHKIN ENSIWI SAGAIIGUN Sand Lake, Stearns County, Minn. KITCHI OSAGI SAGAIIGUN Sauk Lake, Todd County, Minn. MISKWAWAKOKAN SAGAIIGUN Red Cedar Lake, Wise. NESSAWEGUMAG Shakopee Lake, Mille Lacs County, Minn. Shell Lake, Wise. GA-BAGOTCHISHKIWAGAG Solon Springs, Wise., upper St. Croix WAGWASSIKAG Spooner Lake, Washburn County, Wise. KAKWAKISHKAKOG SAGAIIGUN Spunk Lake, Stearns County, Minn. SUKUTAGUNI SAGAIIGUN Sunrise Lake, Chisago County, Minn. MEMOKAGE SAGAIIGUN

s

Reference

Subject

Sullivan and Platte Lakes, Crow Wing, Minn. Tainter Lake, Dunn County, Wise. Uhlenkolts Lake, Stearns County, Minn. Vineland, southwest shore of Mille Lacs Wahkon, southeast shore of Mille Lacs Wapagaset, Polk County, Wise. Watab Lake, Stearns County, Minn. William Lake, West Union TP, Todd County, Minn. Wood Lake, Burnett County, Wise. Yellow Lake, Burnett Couonty, Wisconsin

PEQUISHINO SAGAIIGUN ASHKAKWA SAGAIIGUN MISKWAWAKO MENSIWUNK WIQUEGUMANSING SAGAWAMICK WAPOGASSET WATAB SAGAIIGUN GA-MITAWANGAGUMAG WIGOBI SAGAIIGUN WEZAWAGUMI SAGAIIGUN

Rapids-Waterfalls

Big Eddy, Rum River above Mike Drew Creek Black River Falls, Wise. Chippewa Falls, Wise. Clam Falls, Wise. Fergus Falls, Minn. Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn. Saint Anthony Falls, Minneapolis St. Croix Falls, Wise.

CHIWIKWAYGIWUNG MAKATE WAGAMI KAKABIKANG KAKABIKA GA-ESSIKAGKAKABIKANG KAKAB1KANS KAKABIKANSING KITCHI KAKABIKA MENOMINIKESHI KAKABIKANG

Rivers, Creeks, and Springs

Apple River, St. Croix County, Wise. WABIZIPINIKAN ZIBI Bad River, northern Wisconsin MASHKISIBING ZIBI Bear River, Pine County, Minn. MOKODASONAGUNI ZIBI Black River, southwestern Wisconsin MAKATE WAGAMI ZIBI Bogus Creek, Mille Lacs County, Minn. KITADJIWUNI ZIBIWISHE Bois de Sioux River, Traverse County, Minn. GA-EDAWAIIMAMIWUNG ZIBI Cedar Creek, Mille Lacs County, Minn. PUSAIIGUNI ZIBIWISHE Chase Creek, upper St. Croix River ATONOWINING ZIBI Chippewa River, Minn. OJIBWAY ZIBI Clam River, northwest Wisconsin GA-ESSIKAG ZIBI Clearwater River, Wright & Stearns Counties, Minn. GAWAKUMIG ZIBI Coon Creek, Anoka County, Minn. GITCHI/JOUAN ZIBI Crow River, south-central Minnesota ANDAIG WIGWAN ZIBI Crow Wing River, central Minnesota GAGAGIWIGWUNI ZIBI Deer Creek, Chisago County, Minn. MOKIGINOWISH Elk River, Sherburne County, Minn. KABITAWI ZIBI Fish Creek, Wright County, Minn. KIBISKABITIGOUEYAG

t

Subject

Reference

Flambeau River, Rusk County, Wise, WASSIWAGANI ZIBI Goose Creek, Chisago County, Minn. MISKWAWAKOKA ZIBI Grindstone River, Pine County, Minn. SHIGWUNABIKO ZIBI Ground House River, Kanabec County, Minn. AKIWAUGUNI ZIBI Hay Creek, Kanabec County, Minn. KAKABIKA ZIBIWISHE Jump River, Wise. MANITOWIS ZIBI Kettle River, Pine County, Minn. AKIKO ZIBI Kickapoo River, Prairie du Chien, Wise. KICKAPOO Kinnickinnic River, Wise. KINNIKINNIK ZIBI MOKOMANI ZIBI Knife River, Kanabec County, Minn. Little Elk River, Morrison County, Minn. OMUSHKOZO ZIBI PIQUABIKA ZIBI Little Rock Creek, Benton County, Minn. GA-SHAGOSHKODEIA ZIBI Long Prairie River, Todd County, Minn. ENINANDIGO ZIBI Lower Tamarack River, Pine County, Minn. Mike Drew Creek, MANITOWIGIWAMING ZIBIWISHE Mille Lacs County, Minn. MISHA MOKWA Misha Mokwa Creek MISI ZIBI Mississippi River PUSAIIGUNI ZIBIWISHE Mud Creek, Kanabec County, Minn. NIMADJI ZIBI Nimadji River, Carlton County, Minn. NOKE ZIBI Nokasippi River BINEKANING ZIBI Partridge Creek, Pine County, Minn. BINE ZIBI Partridge River, Todd County, Minn. PEQUISHINO ZIBI Platte River, Morrison County, Minn. POKEGUMA ZIBIWISHE Pokeguma Creek, Pine County, Minn. Pomme de Terre River, Grant County, Minn. OPINIKANI ZIBI Princeton, Minn. NINGITAWITIGWEYANG Red Cedar River, Wise. MISKWAWAKOKAN ZIBI Red River of the North KITCHI ZIBI Rice Creek, Anoka County, Minn. MENOMINIKAN ZIBI Rice Creek, Kanabec County, Minn. BUKEMENOMINI GANSHIKA ZIBIWISHE Rice Creek, Mille Lacs County, Minn. NISUGUDUBI ZIBIWISHE Rum River, Mille Lacs County, Minn. ISHKODEWABO Rush River, Chisago County, Minn. GA-SHASHAGANUSHKOKANI ZIBI St. Croix Flowage NAMEKAWAGON St. Croix and Mississippi areas GEGOSHUGAMOTE St. Croix River MENOMINIKESHI ZIBI Sauk River, Stearns County, Minn. OSAGI ZIBI

u Subject

Reference

SHONIA ZIB1WISHE Silver Creek, Wright County, Minn. KANABEC ZIBI Snake River, Kanabec County, Minn. ENISASAGI ZIBIWISHE Spence Creek, Comfort TP, Kanabec County, Minn. SUKUTAGUNI ZIBI Spunk River, Stearns County, Minn. NAMEKAGON ZIBI Sturgeon River, northwestern Wisconsin MEMOKAGE ZIBI Sunrise River, Chisago County, Minn. WABIZIWI ZIBI Swan River, Todd County, Minn. Tibbett’s Creek, WIBOSHINGWAKOKA ZIBIWISHE Mille Lacs County, Minn. TOTOGATIK ZIBI Totogatik River, upper St. Croix River OTAWA ZIBI Trade River, Burnett County, Wise. Two Rivers, GA-NIJOTIGUEIAG ZIBI Morrison & Stearns Counties, Minn. Upper Tamarack River, GA-MUSHKIGWATIGOKAG ZIBI Pine County, Minn. Vandell Brook, GINOSHEAWIAZIBIWISHE Mille Lacs County, Minn. WATAB ZIBI Watab River, Stearns County, Minn. Wild Rice River, GA-MENOMINIGANJIKANI ZIBI southeastern South Dakota GA-OSSISSIGOBIMIJIKA Willow River, St. Croix County, Wise. SHEANGEWI ZIBI Wing River, Wadena County, Minn. Wisconsin River WISKONSING ZIBI RIVIERE A LA SORCELLE Spirit Creek, Polk County, Wise. WIGOBI ZIBI Wood River, Burnett County, Wise. WEZAWAGUMI ZIBI Yellow River, Burnett County, Wise. Topography

Belle Prairie, Morrison County, Minn. Belle Prairie, Morrison County, Minn. Cambridge, Minn. Coon Valley, Wise. Dalles of the St. Croix Grantsburg, Wise. Kandiyohi County, Minn. Leaf Hills, Wadena County, Minn. Loring Park, Minneapolis, Minn. Mora, Minn. Muscoda, Wisconsin Pilot Knob, Mendota, Minn.

TCHIKISHKUTAWANGAG PAGONESHKODEIANG SHIBADJWUNK ESSIBANIPASSABINANG WIBUDJIWANONG KITCHI MASHKIIGIMINIKANING KITCHI MINAGUA SAGAIIGUN GASKIBUGWUDJIWE KEG-O-MA-GO-SHIEG GUSHKIKAWAG MASHKODE SAGIG SA-GI A-KI