FOR 38 YEARS I’VE LIVED in the same house, “the Swanson house,” along Willow Street in Faribault. Just below Wapacuta Park, blocks from the home of town founder Alexander Faribault. Wednesday evening I learned information about the park up the hill, about my neighborhood, which left me feeling unsettled and troubled, but newly-informed.
The park atop the hill, according to Susan Garwood, executive director of the Rice County Historical Society, was used by the Wahpekute, one of the seven “Council Fires” of the Dakota Nation, for honoring their dead. Not for final burial of their loved ones in this place which now houses a picnic shelter, playground, disc golf course and basketball courts, but rather for the construction of scaffolding to temporarily hold the deceased. Letters and other documents verify the placement of the scaffolding in Wapacuta (incorrectly spelled) Park.
I had no idea. No idea at all that this hilltop land held such importance in the lives, and deaths, of these Indigenous Peoples who called Rice County home long before French Canadians and others settled here.
But Garwood shared even more unknown-to-me information. After a year, the bodies of the Wahpekute were removed from the scaffolding to a nearby burial spot. That’s the current day Peace Park, located near the intersection of Minnesota State Highway 60, Division Street and Willow Street by Buckham Memorial Library. The site, she said, is considered a cemetery, confirmed many decades ago by the discovery of bones wrapped in bark and hide. There were 14 burial mounds and sacred sites in the county, according to Garwood, who said this is closely-guarded information known to historians.
To learn all of this proved enlightening and left me wondering how many others are unaware. And what can be done to raise awareness and respect? Garwood asked the same question during her public presentation on “The Indigenous History of the land that is now Rice County, Minnesota.” She was the first presenter in a new endeavor, the Faribault Diversity Coalition Speaker Series, which will introduce those who call/called Faribault home through these monthly speaking events at the Paradise Center for the Arts.
Near the end of her hour-plus-long talk followed by questions and comments, Garwood encouraged attendees to remember and acknowledge the Wahpekute, who are still here. She referenced a Land Acknowledgment Statement and “Eagle Relatives” sculpture now in place in neighboring Northfield. She also mentioned efforts underway to honor the culture, history and places of the Wahpekute in Faribault. She encouraged all of us to become informed, to educate ourselves, to listen to the stories of Indigenous Peoples.
These first peoples lived in harmony with nature, with the land, Garwood noted. Life changed when fur traders came to the area and a dependency grew as the Wahpekute traded for goods that would make their lives easier. The US-Dakota War of 1862, centered to the west in Redwood, Renville and Brown counties, brought more change, including the loss of life, land and relocation for Indigenous Peoples. That aspect of Garwood’s talk was familiar to me given I grew up in Redwood County.
She talked, too, about Alexander Faribault and Bishop Henry Whipple and how they befriended and helped the Dakota. Faribault, after the 1862 war, offered land he owned (today River Bend Nature Center and the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind) as an “Indian Camp,” Garwood said. Sixty-five Wahpekute from 12 families lived there.
Garwood focused primarily on the Wahpekute, the first people of Rice County, the “Shooters Among the Leaves.” They were, she said, hunters and gatherers who did not work the land but rather moved from place to place to find food, to sustain themselves. Every lake in the county was home to a Wahpekute village, she said. Rivers, too. Teepee Tonka Park along the banks of the Straight River in Faribault was among their riverside homes. Not far from Peace Park. Not far from Wapacuta Park. Near my home.
© Copyright 2022 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Absolutely fascinating. I can see why you had mixed emotions and I’m hopeful that we can find a way to honor and restore dignity and place to our original people
There’s so much more I could have written about Susan Garwood’s presentation. She covered a lot of history and gave lots of insights. But I opted to focus on the info that was new to me. And it was quite astounding. I am hopeful my community will find a way to honor, recognize and celebrate the Indigenous Peoples who were the first peoples of Rice County.
Yes, and my hope is that it happens nationally, though I know it’s a long road ahead
I feel the same.
I go by your Willow St at Tower place corner house all the time! Thanks for all your interesting posts. Pastor Carol forwarded your pics from Holy Smoke, I am in your first pic by gazebo talking to step son.
Thanks for appreciating my writing and photos. I’m glad you saw the Holy Smoke post. Thankful it’s being shared. I so appreciate that event.
wow… That is quite a revelation to find out about in your own back yard! I have always loved the Native American culture and think it is wonderful that you are bringing this to light. They are a proud people and deserve the respect.
Yes, they absolutely deserve our respect. And, yes, it was quite the revelation to learn about the history of the land just up the hill.
I am SO glad you attended this to report back. And kudos to Colton Kemp that wrote the FDN report. The MNHS had an exhibit on the War of 1862 in 2013 I think. I went determined to finally understand what it had to do with Faribault. Sue is a gift to RCHS, glad to see her and the coalition getting support on this initiative. No one works alone. My uncle was on the RCHS board, would marvel what exists today.
Yes, I was happy to read Colton’s story also. Our approaches differed. I focused more on my personal connection while he, as he should have, reported on the whole. Yes, it’s great to see people working together.
Available from Goodhue County Historical Society in Red Wing, are 1800 maps (in book form) depicting who lived where in Goodhue County. Might surprise many of you that our forefathers lived almost in communities based on their former selves. Example, Norwegians living among Norwegians, and “next door” were members of a Native American tribe, followed by other groups, English, “Yankees”, Swedes, Germans, Fins, Irish. The list goes on. As a Sailor, I served on the APA USS Renville (troop ship) out of San Diego California – for 2 weeks! There are two counties, one in Minnesota and one in North Dakota named Renville,, the namesake of the ship I served in. I LOVE history!
Gunny, it’s good to hear from you. Yup, our ancestors stuck together. There’s comfort in being among those who speak your language, eat the same foods, etc. It’s importance for each of us to remember that.
Wow–that is really a neat piece of history and I am sure that advocacy on the behalf of these Native people will be part of your life going forward. To think that they walked the land where your house is must give you a sense of closeness to them. What a gift to have heard this presentation.
Yes, it was such a gift to learn all of this, about the history of my neighborhood.
We also learned from an attendee that there was a brewery just down Willow Street a bit, maybe a block away. Oh, the things one learns…
It’s good you were able to attend Susan’s presentation, and that there are more planned.
It is very interesting, and good information to know, and hopefully something can be done to recognize the landmarks.
Yes, I’m thankful I was free to attend Susan’s presentation and look forward to hearing more speakers. Discussion and ideas are in the works to publicly honor our Indigenous Peoples.