Fort Snelling

Oral History

Fort Snelling, even though taken from the Dakota Nation, is the center of a deep spiritual connection. The land the fort resides on is an intersecting point for the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, and is where the Dakota People were brought to life according to stories passed down between generations. This place, known as Bdote (where two waters come together) is the Dakota center of the Earth; the site of genesis for the Dakota People. Despite the existence of Fort Snelling, the land still spiritually belongs to them. The Dakota Nation have always called Bdote home, cultivating the land for spiritual and agricultural uses as far as memory can recall.



For more information on Bdote, we strongly recommend visiting the Bdote Memory Map, a comprehensive resource on the Dakota people's relationships to the lands we currently know as Fort Snelling. 

All video rights belong to Mona Smith, Bdote Memory Map.

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