Fort Snelling

The Bdote

Although it was ceded to the United States in the early 1800s, Fort Snelling is the center of a deep spiritual connection for the Dakota People. The land on which the fort lies is the converging point of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers - a bdote - and is the point where the Dakota were brought life according to some of the stories passed down through generations.

This specific Bdote, spiritually belongs to the Dakota and is incredibly sacred. The Dakota Nation has always called Bdote home, cultivating the land for spiritual and agricultural uses as far as memory can recall.

For more information on this Bdote, we strongly recommend visiting the Bdote Memory Map, a comprehensive resource on the Dakota People's relationship to the piece of land we currently know as Fort Snelling.

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

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