IF I WAS TO CLIMB the hill behind my house through the tangle of weeds, wildflowers and woods, I would reach Wapacuta Park. But it’s easier to take the street and then the mowed hillside to this Faribault city park.
Years ago, this was the go-to spot for our family—for the kids to zoom down the towering slide and scale the massive rock in the summer and to slide down the sledding hill in the winter. Today it’s a place to occasionally take the grandkids to play on the updated playground.
But years ago, oh, so many years ago, this spot of land belonged to the Dakota. That I assume given its name—Wapacuta, even though incorrectly spelled. The correctly spelled Wahpekute are members of the Dakota Nation. My county of Rice is the homeland of these indigenous peoples. They are an integral part of Faribault history. Town founder and fur trader Alexander Faribault traded with the Dakota who lived in the area.
To the west, along Minnesota State Highway 60 between Faribault and Waterville, Sakatah Lake State Park also reflects the Dakota influence in its name. The native Dakota called the land thereon Sakatah or “singing hills” in their native language.
The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail runs through the park for three miles. That trail spans 39 miles from Faribault to Mankato, another Dakota-sourced name correctly spelled Mahkato, meaning “greenish blue earth.” Mankato is the site of the largest mass execution in US history with 38 Dakota hung on December 26, 1862, after the US-Dakota War of 1862. It is a horrible atrocity in our state’s history and one which, to this day, remains unknown to too many Minnesotans.
We are a state with many location names tracing back to the Dakota—Mankato, Wabasha, Wabasso, Sleepy Eye, Winona, Winnebago… Even the name Minnesota comes from the Dakota Mnisota, meaning “sky-tinted waters” and referencing the Minnesota River.
On a mid-June visit to Sakatah Lake State Park, rural Waterville, I thought about the Dakota who lived on this land, including at a village on the point separating Upper Sakatah and Lower Sakatah Lakes. I imagined the Wahpekute gliding across the lakes in canoes, angling for fish in these waters.
Then, as I followed the Wahpekuta Trail, I wondered about hunting and berry picking and perhaps mushroom gathering in the denseness of woods.
And, instead of campers in these trees, I imagined tipis.
I have much to learn about the Wahpekute. But at least I hold basic knowledge of their early presence here, of their importance in the history of this place I call home.
© Copyright 2022 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Beautiful area, Audrey. Thanks for sharing! ❤
🙂
what a beautiful place and imagining their live there seems natural –
I feel like I have much to learn yet about the Wahpekute who called this place home.
same with the indigenous tribes who inhabited Michigan, so much history, so much as yet unknown
Yes. I appreciate that these histories are being more widely shared.
I’m going to have to check out that trail! Looks like just the kind that Mick and I love.
Please let me know if you will be in the area to hike this trail at Sakatah Lake State Park. Perhaps Randy and I could meet you somewhere in Faribault, like 10,000 Drops Distillery if it’s open and you’re here at a time appropriate for going there.
That’s a great idea! 🙂 Will do!
I believe you have my cell so feel free to text if you will be in the area.
“tipis” sent me to google. Nice column. Renaming Lake Calhoun in Mpls is an interesting story. Faribault has done what it can to respect its origins. You live in an enviable spot with that hillside backyard. Tom Weaver, son of Dr. Weaver, brother of Jack, classmate of mine, has extensive knowledge of the Native American culture, speaks the tribal language of several. Frankly, I’m impressed and a bit envious. He travels MN, even the U.S., enjoying and advocating the culture. Has a blog at http://prairielakesjourneystwospirit.blogspot.com
Thanks for tipping us off to Tom Weaver’s important work.
I started reading The Seed Keeper. It is an interesting book, and creates a desire to learn more of the history the Native American culture.
I’m glad to hear you’re reading this award-winning book.
I noticed you mentioned the atrocity that happened in 1862 to the Native Americans. It is a shame that this wasn’t part of the history of that area. We are learning of many atrocities that the white man has done to other races in the past that were swept under the rug. I have learned about things of that nature and feel this should be included in the history books that are in the schools now.
I agree that this should be included in the history books, in what our children are taught. We’re moving toward that, toward seeing history through multiple lenses rather than singular.