As I stepped out of my car and put my feet onto the land that for 10,000 years has been known as the most sacred place in the United States, if not the Earth to the Dakota people. My body couldn’t help but, shake as my soul felt an embrace that overwhelmed me with a sense of home I had never known. As the energy of the land wrapped it’s arms around me I began to take in all that I could see. The trees standing taller then the ones near my home being tapped for their sap. The family of deer laying down in the wooded glen knowing they would be safe here on this land. The multi colored layers of sediment and rock as the only reminder of the ancient seas that once were here. Although I couldn’t see it yet, bdote was already beckoning my feet to start walking or running to where the mighty two rivers meet. Keeping the sands and clay used as the mold to shape all of humanity safe. The top of the geometric, war torn, keeper of history and hidden symbols; Fort Snelling was peeking at me from it’s strategic perch at the top of the bluff. Waiting for me to climb to the top and hear the stories locked within it’s walls. Walk the paths of the Dakota peoples most sacred land alongside me and hear the stories they both whispered and wept to me.
Where is Fort Snelling?
Before we walk down the paths running along these sacred rivers together I should make sure you know where those paths are. If you have never heard of this fort and National park you definitely won’t know. But, even if you have I still want to double check because, I have spent my whole life about 2 hours from it and had no idea it was here until this year! Let alone how important it was and it’s very extensive history. So, where are we? Well, we are in the heart of the Midwest within the United States. In the land of harsh cold, piles of snow, humid summers, and 10,000 lakes; the stare of Minnesota. Otherwise know to the Dakota peoples as “Mni Sota Makoce,” which translates to “the land where the water reflects the skies”. The fort itself is situated on a bluff overlooking two rivers, near Minneapolis and St. Paul, and is an unorganized territory within Hennepin County. The two rivers the fort overlooks are very special; one being the longest river in the united states the Mississippi. Than the other one being the third largest river in Minnesota, even being named after the state itself. Not only are they special due to their size, but at this exact spot is where the two mighty rivers meet and converge. Making this piece of land a very magical, spiritual, powerful, and strategic place to be.
Why the meeting of two rivers at fort Snelling is important?
So, why exactly does the fact that these two rivers meet matter so much? Why does it make this land so important? These long and important two rivers meeting here made it a place throughout history that was special and strategic for many reasons. It made this a place where the stories of many crossed paths here over the centuries. Including the Dakota, Ojibwe, enslaved people, fur traders, immigrants, and soldiers. The two rivers meeting here made it an ideal place for trade to happen allowing for those in the area to prosper. Even using the power and force of the river to transport wood down it making construction to expand easier as well. The two rivers created a landscape that had fertile lands full of resources. It made the land easy to defend allowing those who called the state home to keep their territory and families safe.
The sacred Dakota land Bdote
Not only was this land important because of the convergence of two major rivers within the state, this specific convergence was the location of a very sacred one for the first peoples to live on the land. While bdote can refer to any place where waters converge, many Dakota people consider this location as a sacred place of creation. In one of the most accepted creation myths amongst the people this spot is the first spot they stepped foot on Earth. After their long journey down the “Caŋku Wanaġi” or spirit road; starting from the seven stars of Orion’s belt, arriving at the convergence of the rivers through the milky way. It’s the place where the great creator picked up the unique clay like soil of “Maka Ina” or grandmother Earth in this spot. Then used it to mold and shape the first Dakota peoples with their spirits. It then became the place the Dakota tribes later spread out to establish the sacred sites in the surrounding areas. Although, later on the history of the land becomes steeped in darkness, blood, and loss. The land was taken away by colonizers, followed by resistance and hangings. Dakota elders now describes the Bdote as “where everything began and where everything began changing.” Which I could certainly feel as I stood on the bank where those two rivers meet with the trees standing strong behind me. We hold our lands sacred, but these lands are more sacred because of the history, because of the myth and the energies in the land.
There is a sense of duality in the land with it being the beginning of the Dakota peoples humanity here on Earth and the place where their people almost perished completely. Creating a sacredness that seeps into your soul faster then you can almost handle. For me, it brought tears to my eyes, stories whispered only my soul could hear, and a feeling like I was being recreated. Like a piece of me was returning back to a place it’s been before. A place that meant so much to it, it came rushing forward at it’s chance to be reunited again. As I walked among the trees, stopping to embrace the ones calling me to them; I listened to what each one had to say. Revealing to me that this was a place many have spent searching for while the Dakota always knew it was here. This was their garden of Eden, their place of origin, a place for sacred stories to be stored. This was a place to become whole, to unlock wisdom, and to reconnect to grandmother Earth.
History and use of the Fort
Once you move past the river bank and make your way up the bluff you move towards the fort itself. As you walk up to the stone fortress walls and take in the sight of the intimidating, awe inspiring, and weathered site of the fort; you can’t help but catch your breath. I was blown away at how big this structure was. to me it felt more like a citadel or small city then a fort. I was mesmerized at how old it looked and how strategically it was nestled into the bluff looking down at the land and two rivers below. As I got closer I only became more impressed by the number of buildings stretching out in front of me and confused at how I didn’t know this was here. With the number of buildings, the level of craftsmanship, and the energy coming off the land it was abundantly clear to me this place was more then important, but sacred and vital to my states existence. Which is why the entire way up here my family and I had been listening to the history I will tell you about now below.
The stone fort was constructed in the 1820’s and situated to help dissuade the British from encroaching on the Northwest part of our young country and for the protection of fur traders. The fort was initially named Fort Saint Anthony, but it was renamed Fort Snelling, after its architect and first commandant Colonel Josiah Snelling, when its construction was completed in 1825. The fort served to protect the fur trade and maintain stability between the Dakota and Ojibwe tribes. The fort was closed in 1858 after the US placed forts further West. Fort Snelling reopened during the Civil War to serve as a rendezvous point and training center for volunteer soldiers. During this period of time, Fort Snelling was also part of the Dakota War of 1862. As wars go, this one was short, over and done with in about six short weeks. But it was very bloody. In no other war in U. S. history were as many civilians killed in such a short time. This short time is a pretty dark chapter of the fort’s history with the fort playing a role in the removal of the Dakota from their sacred home land. For a time, the fort even served as an internment camp for the noncombatant Dakota. Housing mainly women and children. 38 of the residents were later moved to Mankato by order of Abraham Lincoln to be executed by hanging.
Today there is no physical sign of the internment camp. Except for a few placards where the history is taught and the square patch of land that is barren and still outlined by the trees. But, as I walked this part of the land next to the fort overwhelming tears had fallen from my eyes. Because the despair, the feeling of displacement, the loss of home and a sense of hope was still hanging heavy in the air, soaked in the ground, and hanging from the tree branches. The only other remnant you will find of this time is a memorial of a pipestone placed in front of the now visitor center for the state park. That is far away from where the internment camp was. This memorial is meant to commemorate the 1,600 Dakota people, including women and children, who were imprisoned there after the 1862 U.S.-Dakota War including the almost 300 who died. The issue with this memorial is it leaves a bad taste in your mouth, tears in your eyes and anger in your heart. Because, on this memorial I noticed how we had to hurt the tribes of the Dakota one more time with the words we engraved into it. We engraved each and every tribe name that was banned and exiled from their lands along with the word banned still written underneath it. Leaving a permanent written reminder of what was taken from them. The part that brought the most tears to my eyes was instead of honoring the lives of those we had allowed to die while we held them there ; we engraved the pipestone with the word half breeds. Reading those words became the second time in my life I felt overwhelming shame and disgust for being from Minnesota and what my people had done. Later, in the Fort’s history they made an attempt to make up for the losses they had caused by saving some lives. When Fort Snelling had a critical roll as a hospital for soldiers wounded in WWI an WWII.
Historical Significance of the fort throughout time
- National Historic Landmark
- Military Fortification
- Site of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862
- Rendezvous point for military forces
- “Citadel in the wilderness”
- “National Treasure”
- Bdot
- Dakota Homeland
- site of Dakota internment camp
- Sacred confluence of rivers
- Crossroads of two major river highways of the fur trade
- Used as a Hospital to treat the wounded and sick during WWI and WWII
- After WWII was used as a Japanese language school for Japanese Americans relocated from Internment camps
- more than 25,000 troops to the South to preserve the Union and eliminate slavery
- The third infantry the oldest in the U.S military served here briefly
Fort Snelling’s relationship with slavery
By the 1830s slavery was against the law throughout the north, and by entering Free Territory, an enslaved person was legally free. However, these laws were ignored at forts across the North, including Fort Snelling. On any given year between 15 and 30 enslaved people cooked, cleaned, and did laundry and other household chores for officers at the fort. In 1836, a doctor brought an enslaved person, a man named Dred Scott, to live at the fort where he met and soon married another enslaved person, Harriet Robinson. They were here in free territory but they were here as slaves and yet this fort, along with Fort Armstrong in Illinois, allowed them to sue for their freedom because they had been in free territory for a significant amount of time. The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, writing the majority decision in 1857, declared that Congress could not ban slavery in the territories. The Dred Scott decision inflamed passions in a nation that had become bitterly divided over slavery. This was such a critical, pivotal situation that they found themselves in. It divided a nation. It caused a war; the civil war. In 1861, the Civil War began. Minnesota had been the first state to offer troops for the Union Army. Fort Snelling even served as the central rendezvous and training center for Minnesota’s 25-thousand Civil War soldiers who would end up serving in the war.
Fort Snelling Memorial chapel
As we continued to walk past the fort, past the site of the internment camp, and the building for the museum a smaller building caught our eyes. This building was tucked off to the side with a cross on top, one lonely grave, and vibrant colored stained glass windows. We had come across the Christian church and chapel that now sits on top of Dakota sacred land. This chapel was covered on the outside with art and symbols telling the stories of the history of the white settlers of the land and the years of military service and history. You could see the templar inspired crosses in the stone, and the depictions of war heroes who had served at this post in the colorful windows. As we peered in through the windows you could see something I have never seen inside of church here in my state before. Instead of seeing religious symbols dominating the church I could see military regiment symbols, items, and flags decorating the interior. When looking closer one of the stained glass windows bears the coat of arms of the Third Infantry Regiment, oldest in the U.S. Army, who was once stationed at Fort Snelling. Which reminded me of what we heard the dedication of this specific chapel was intended to be from the beginning. This would be a place where the Veteran is Remembered. Chaplain Frank C. Rideout who had been an inspiration for its construction stated, “Primarily the Chapel will be a house of worship, but it will be much more – it is a unique and distinctive Minnesota memorial, a splendid monument to the patriotism, the moral earnestness and the convictions of the people of this state. It will be a perpetual reminder of their appreciation of those who made the supreme sacrifice in all our great wars. It will provide a shrine where the friends of those who have died for America may come, as on a holy pilgrimage, and offer up their thanks to Almighty God for the precious gift of friends who have been so fondly loved, and are now lost awhile.”
As I took in the sense of patriotism and pride I could feel at this spot and how it differed from any other church I had been to we continued to walk towards the entrance. That is when at the same time my eyes notice the white marble calling as a beacon for me to walk over to that I heard the little girls voice giggling as she played. Walking closer to the white marble sticking out of the ground that could only be a grave marker, I could feel her running around me and heading towards my son. Excited to have a little one to run too and play with. As I got close enough to finally read my jaw actually dropped at what it had to say. The little girl running around just wanting to play was the daughter of the colonel whom designed the fort and it was named after; Elizabeth Snelling . According to the inscription I was reading, her remains had been interned and consecrated here to honor the death of the first white children born on Minnesota soil. Apparently this was so important and such a point of pride this was the inscription for her final resting place instead of beloved daughter or any term of endearment. The sense of pride in settling and defending this land for the good of the white man is evident everywhere I look and in the energy I could feel surrounding this chapel as I walked away.
The fort today
The 2000 census listed Fort Snelling as an unorganized territory, meaning that it is officially not part of any state or country which is the most interesting thing I can find about it today. Other then that, I am told that when you visit during certain months like from memorial day to labor day you can gain entrance to the museum, the fort, and you will even see reenactors walking around. I am told that you can even get a very detailed tour as well. A tour of the fort buildings includes a lot of original and reconstructed evidence of what life at the fort was like during the earliest days of its establishment and up through the Civil War. Exhibits include reconstructions of the early life at the fort such as squad barracks of spare bunk beds, married enlisted men’s quarters, an officer’s somewhat less sparse accommodations, all the way up to the commandant’s home, complete with a dining room set with fine china. But, I didn’t get to see any of this during this trip. Because, I went in February when all of this was closed. We plan on going back so we can experience the inside of the fort as much as we have the land it sits on, the exterior of the fort, and all the structures around it.
While we couldn’t get into the fort on our first trip there was still so much to take in and learn about this towering stone structure just from the outside. From the symbolism of power being displayed in the massive red doors to enter the citadel. To the intimidating circle tower known as the Round Tower. that it is said used to house a cannon still standing as one of the oldest parts of the fort. As your eyes scan the many different buildings of the fort you see the mix of styles in architecture including Georgian, brick barracks, and stone structures. You see the stone walls and towers, strategically built in round and hexagonal shapes designed for the best possible defense. Plus the nearly mile-long row of yellow brick barracks on the far side of Taylor Avenue, built for the Spanish-American War. Reflecting its role as a military outpost and later, a key location for military operations and medicinal healing. Walking around all of these buildings with my fingers gliding along the stones and bricks, I couldn’t help but, feel a mix of things. The pride of the people who had built this place, lived here, and defended it with their lives to help allow my home state to thrive. But, also the sadness, the despair, and the hopelessness of those who came here against their will and the souls of the ill who never left. The immense loss of the sacred birthplace of the Dakota people who were meant to be the keepers of this land. While also feeling the comfort coming from the blue lights of spirits coming to walk besides me.
Final Thoughts
Today the fort exists as a symbol, one of pride and strength to some, to others, one of struggle and imprisonment. Fort Snelling also symbolizes both the expansion and exploitation of the region by the United States, and the intertwined histories of Black and Native people in what is now Minnesota. Fort Snelling is like this living breathing artifact. When you walk the grounds it produces a visceral feeling. Minnesota’s and America’s history is here on this land. People died on those grounds at Fort Snelling. People were confined. There were hardships as well as many noble things in defense of our country in times of war. From the day this area was taken by the U.S. in 1805, the fort has been a direct point of contact between Dakota people and the United States as a whole. The fort serves as a symbol and an actual demonstration of how Dakota-U.S. relations developed in the 1800’s and after. But the fact that it was built to be a symbol of the American empire is clear. The fact that it was the source of death and crimes against the Dakota people is also clear. It is a wounded site. Dakota people were imprisoned here. Dakota people died here. Recognition of the pain inflicted on the Dakota by the white settlers is still evident all over the site today even and too many outside the Dakota communities are completely unaware. I myself was until I started doing my research for this trip. So, if you can make a trip to this sacred and historical place; do it. I know I will be going back.
About Me : I have been a solitary grey magic practitioner for 15 + years. First and foremost, I consider myself a mystic and seeker of all knowledge. I am dedicated to the restoration, and re-enchantment of Magic in society, across this realm, and in each and every soul I come across in life! I am here to create a container that promotes healing, duality, and raw authenticity. I do this by guiding you on your personal journey to understanding your unique magic and sacred contracts. I facilitate this for you through embracing your shadow, duality and learning to live in energetic balance while not wearing a mask. When you work and learn from me you do so from your “darkness” as much as your “light” and in a way to truly harness and accept it not to just go thru it on the way to your light. But, I teach you how to truly embrace it, work with it, and use it alongside your light as a partner. I hold up a mirror for you to be able to see your authentic reflection looking back. Then have the courage to take the next step and do the uncomfortable but vital inner work to completely remove your mask. By facing all of your past wounds, traumas, and hurts. Allowing you to see both the dark and light within your story and take each chapter and alchemize it into something that is so powerful. your unique internal flame will shine so bright you will always be able to go within and find it on a dark cold night. You will learn how to truly live in duality and energetic balance to allow growth, and alignment with your sacred contracts and purposes. to finally move on and truly let the things that hold you back in this life from healing and manifesting go. To see everything I offer; like personalized shadow work sessions, womb healing, eBooks for you to work through on your own, Tarot sessions for guidance and more! Go to my shop!
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