AT THE BASE of He Mni Caɳ, also known as “Barn Bluff,” I contemplated whether to climb the 340-foot cliff rising high above the Mississippi River in southern Minnesota. It seemed like a good idea when Randy and I were considering just that on our drive from Faribault to Red Wing recently. But reality set in once we found the bluff, started up a steep pathway and determined that this might be a little much for two people pushing seventy. My vision issues and fear of heights also factored into discontinuing our hike.
While disappointed, I was still thankful we were here because He Mni Caɳ holds historical, cultural and sacred significance for the Bdewakantunwan Dakota Oyate, the Indigenous Peoples who originally inhabited this land. They lived on land below and around the bluff on the site of current-day Red Wing. They held ceremonies and rituals atop the bluff, also used for burial, shelter from enemies and more. This was, and always has been, a sacred place to the Dakota.
That message is shared in an Entrance Plaza to He Mni Caɳ. There storytelling markers and seven towering pillars reveal details about this place and its importance to Native Americans. Via images, words and art, I began to learn, to understand. By learning, I am also honoring National Native American Heritage Month celebrated in November.
I admittedly did not read every single word and somehow missed noticing the buttons to push on the storytelling markers that would allow me to hear the spoken Dakota language. But I still gathered enough information, enough story, to recognize the value of this land to the Dakota and the respect we should all hold for them, their history and the sacred He Mni Caɳ, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The city of Red Wing and the nearby Prairie Island Indian Community have partnered to preserve and honor this place along the Mississippi following the guiding principles of heal, sustain, educate and honor. I saw that and read that in the plaza.
As I viewed the historic Dakota patterns on the seven plaza columns and walked around this history circle reading and photographing, words and phrases popped out at me: We are all related. Interconnectedness. Kinship and a shared landscape. If only, I thought, we would all hold those words close, remember them in our differences, remember them in our relationships with each other and with the earth, remember them in our struggles and disconnect.
The city of Red Wing is named after Tatanka Mani (“Walking Buffalo”), long ago leader of the Mdewakanton Dakota in the upper Mississippi River Valley. Early immigrants who settled in the area gave him that name. Tatanka Mani helped shape the history of this region through his decisions and leadership. He was clearly connected to his people, to the non-Natives who arrived here, and to the land.
Today He Mni Caɳ/Barn Bluff remains a major attraction in Red Wing, just as it was years ago for those traveling the river, exploring the region. Henry David Thoreau, Henry Schoolcraft and Zebulon Pike are among the countless who viewed the river and river valley below from atop the bluff.
But not me. I was content to stand at its base, to take in the history shared there. And then later to view the bluff from Sorin’s Bluff in Memorial Park, a park with a road leading to the top. Even then I settled for a partial ascent, because I’d had enough of heights on this day when He Mni Caɳ challenged me and I learned the history of this sacred place.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
We were up Barn Bluff once in winter from the west and then came back in the summer so we could hike the narrow, seasonally closed trail on the bluff’s east side. You do get the big view of Red Wing from the bluff’s north end. One thing that amazed us is that this bluff was an island when Glacial River Warren cut loose about 10,000 or so years ago. Fortunately, this was before the Woodland peoples occupied this area.
I figured you had hiked Barn Bluff. Good for you. I imagine the view was spectacular.
This Past June, I made the effort to go out of my way to visit Red Wing. The idea was to visit the Historical Society of Goodhue County, visit the woman who started it all for me, the grave of Amanda Lien Rachie. My sister drove (she did not have much confidence in my driving – and I understand). We got to the cemetery and the expanse of it was mind-boggeling – much as it is in a Texas town on the San Saba River, Endless graves – as time had marched on. The Historical Center was closed – checked my calendar. It was Sunday. Next time I plan to leave more time to this city on the might Mississippi and some time for reserach. This city bears no resemblance to prairie towns. Your visit gave me more to visit when I go back. No hill climbing for me. My 80th birthday is this weekend,
There’s so much to see and do in Red Wing. I have a file full of photos that I need to share at some point. An early happy 80th birthday to you this weekend, Gunny! I hope you have something special planned.
Thanks Audrey,
my two married daughters are stopping by to “help” me clean house. I have one (SAR) meeting to attend and I plan on getting a good bottle of bourbon, a nice cigar, and that will be my “celebration”. Wait until I fire up my motorcycle!
Enjoy your time with your daughters, your bourbon and your cigar.
I’m glad you could drive up Sorin’s Bluff to get a good view of Barn’s Bluff. I liked seeing the bluff from that perspective. The base of the bluff is a great place to have the Native American information. We enjoyed looking at the displays too.
I’m just thankful we FINALLY found Barn Bluff.
LOL
Thanks for sharing this Audrey. There is so much history to learn here. Red Wing is a lovely place, and now we have another place to visit when we go next time.
Eventually I will share about many more interesting finds I made in Red Wing.
this feels like it is a very special and sacred place, Audrey. thank you for sharing it with us. even though you didn’t climb to the top, you learned so much right from where you were.
You’re welcome. And you’re right. I learned a lot without climbing to the top of Barn Bluff.
What a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing it with us. I love the history and meaning and that it is being preserved and honored.
Yes, it is beautiful. And, yes, to preserving and honoring history.