Native Americans | Page 64

Father Hennepin at the Falls of St. Anthony

Painting of Father Louis Hennepin at St. Anthony Falls by Douglas Volk, c.1905.

Hennepin, Louis (ca.1640–ca.1701)

Father Louis Hennepin, a Recollect friar, is best known for his early expeditions of what would become the state of Minnesota. He gained fame in the seventeenth century with the publication of his dramatic stories in the territory. Although Father Hennepin spent only a few months in Minnesota, his influence is undeniable. While his widely read travel accounts were more fiction than fact, they allowed him to leave a lasting mark on the state.

Circular explaining the location of "half-breed" Dakota scrip

Initial page of a circular distributed by the General Land Office and dated March 21, 1857. The circular explains how land will be divided among the "Dacotah or Sioux Half-breeds or Mixed-bloods" following the act approved by Congress on July 17, 1854.

Petition sent by members of the Sioux Nation to Joel Roberts Poinsett

Initial page of a petition sent by members of the Sioux (Dakota) Nation to U.S. Secretary of War Joel Roberts Poinsett in September of 1838. The petition's writers urge the secretary to divide the land within the Lake Pepin Half-Breed Reserve into plots so that individual titles may be awarded.

Lake Pepin, Upper Mississippi

Black and white engraving on paper depicting Lake Pepin. Made by Jacob C. Ward c.1840.

"Half-Breed" Tract

The 1830 Treaty of Prairie du Chien set aside 320,000 acres of potentially valuable land west of Lake Pepin for so-called "half-breed" members of the Dakota nation. The move set off a series of events that enriched a number of Minnesotans—none of them of Native American heritage.

Hand written document recognizing "Wahcoota" as Tatanka Mani's successor, May 17, 1829.

Document written by Indian Agent Lawrence Taliaferro recognizing Wacouta as Tatanka Mani's successor, May 17, 1829.

After the death of Tatanka Mani (Walking Buffalo, also known as Red Wing) in 1829, Lawrence Taliaferro, the United States Indian Agent at Fort Snelling, recognized Wacouta as Tatanka Mani's successor.

Wacouta I (Shooter), ca. 1800–1858

In spring 1829, Wacouta (Shooter) faced two challenges upon becoming leader of the Red Wing band of Mdewakanton Dakota. He needed to fend off challenges from rivals within his village and also find success in dealings with United States government officials.

Zebulon M. Pike

Portrait of Zebulon Pike, c.1810. Pike led the first United States expedition through the Upper Midwest in 1805.

Color lithograph of Red Wing's village in 1855.

Tatanka Mani's Village

Henry Lewis's 1855 lithograph shows Red Wing's village forty years after Tatanka Mani (Walking Buffalo, also known as Red Wing) brought his people there.

Gale Family Library