The history of the Americas is interwoven with both progress and profound tragedy, marked by the often brutal displacement and cultural destruction of its Indigenous peoples. In recent years, there has been a growing call for acknowledging this painful past and implementing measures towards reconciliation and restorative justice. Several proposals have emerged, particularly within the state of Minnesota, aiming to address the legacy of genocide and ethnocide inflicted upon Native American communities. This article will explore some of these proposals, examining their rationale, historical context, and potential impact.
The call for action has resonated in various forums, including Minnesota’s leading newspaper, the Star Tribune. Jeffrey Kolnick, in a published article, urged Minnesota to assume a leading role in the nation in confronting the consequences of the genocide perpetrated against Indigenous peoples throughout the Americas. This proposition served as a catalyst for broader discussions about the state’s historical responsibility and the need for tangible steps toward healing.
Another Star Tribune article featured a proposal by Louis Stanley Schoen, advocating for the establishment of a public commission. The primary objective of this commission would be to conduct a thorough examination of the history of white supremacy in America and Europe, specifically focusing on its influence in shaping Minnesota’s formation and its public and private institutions. Schoen emphasized that after examining the past, this commission should then offer leadership and resources to dismantle the pervasive effects of this ideology. Schoen envisioned the transformative potential of such an undertaking, not only for Minnesota but for the world.
Building upon these ideas, a proposal was submitted to Griff Wigley, the blogger for the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Advisory Committee for Native American Partnering blog and the committee’s project leader. This proposal suggested posting Schoen’s article on the blog to generate further discussion. The aim was to then follow up with a comment linking to a petition addressed to the Governor of Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty, urging the establishment of a public commission with the objectives Schoen outlined. The petition would be open for signatures and comments from tribal leaders and prominent non-Indian Minnesotans, amplifying the call for action.
The Doctrine of Domination: Inter Caetera
At the root of the historical injustices inflicted upon Indigenous peoples lies a historical doctrine deeply embedded in European and American history: the fifteenth-century Papal Bull Inter Caetera. This decree, issued by Pope Alexander VI in 1493, granted Spain dominion over newly "discovered" lands in the Americas, rationalizing the subjugation and conversion of Indigenous populations.
Since 1992, the Indigenous Law Institute has led an ongoing movement dedicated to dismantling the harmful legacy of this doctrine. In 1994, during the Parliament of World Religions, over 60 Indigenous delegates drafted a Declaration of Vision. The declaration explicitly called upon the Roman Catholic hierarchy, urging Pope John Paul II to formally revoke the Inter Caetera Bull, thereby restoring fundamental human rights to Indigenous peoples. The declaration highlighted the ongoing devastation caused by the Papal Bull to their religions, cultures, and the very survival of their communities. Furthermore, it pointed out that the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Johnson v. McIntosh (1823) adopted the same principle of subjugation expressed in the Inter Caetera Bull, perpetuating its harmful effects within the legal framework of the United States.
Fort Snelling: A Site of Trauma and Remembrance
The significance of Fort Snelling in Minnesota’s history is multi-layered, representing both a site of military importance and a symbol of profound trauma for the Dakota people. Jeffrey Kolnick, in his Star Tribune article, articulated the Dakota perspective, stating that Fort Snelling embodies the coercive power that forced them from their ancestral homeland. It also represents the site of a concentration camp where many Dakota people perished during the harsh winter of 1862-63.
To address this painful legacy, Kolnick proposed a bold initiative: to allocate state funds for the removal and reconstruction of Fort Snelling on more neutral ground. The reconstructed site would then be transformed into the Minnesota Museum of Genocide, dedicated to educating the public about the history of violence and displacement suffered by Indigenous peoples. The original site, imbued with such profound historical significance, would be converted into a state park. The management and design of the park would be determined through collaborative agreements between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Dakota communities of Minnesota, including both federally recognized and non-federally recognized tribes.
Proposals to Help Heal the Genocidal Wounds of Indigenous Peoples: Ethnocide and Restorative Justice
Beyond specific sites and historical events, a fundamental aspect of healing involves acknowledging the broader historical context of ethnocide and genocide. The Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission, on its website, acknowledged the state’s historical complicity in such actions. The commission admitted that, while Minnesotans readily acknowledge genocides in other parts of the world, they often struggle to recognize and confront the painful wounds of ethnocide and genocide within their own state’s history. They acknowledged that this historical trauma continues to affect Minnesota’s present.
In line with this acknowledgement, it has been proposed that Minnesota formally admit its role in committing ethnocide and genocide against its Indigenous people and offer restorative justice measures. This admission would represent a significant step towards acknowledging historical wrongs and paving the way for meaningful reconciliation.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Another crucial step toward reconciliation lies in supporting the human rights of Indigenous peoples at an international level. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted in 2007, provides a comprehensive framework for protecting and promoting the rights of Indigenous peoples worldwide.
It has been proposed that Minnesota pass a measure of support for this United Nations declaration. Precedents for such action already exist within the United States, with the states of Arizona and Maine, as well as the city of Phoenix, having previously passed measures of support for the declaration. This declaration affirms the fundamental principle that "indigenous peoples are equal to all other peoples" and outlines a range of rights, including the right to self-determination, the right to maintain and practice their cultures and traditions, and the right to free, prior, and informed consent regarding decisions that affect their lands and resources.
Wakan/Mille Lacs Lake: A Sacred Dakota Site
Central to the Dakota creation stories and spiritual beliefs is Wakan/Mille Lacs Lake. Wilhelm K. Meya, an anthropologist actively working with the Lakota people, emphasizes the lake’s significance in the oral tradition of the Mdewakanton, one of the most ancient divisions of the Sioux Nation, or Ocetisakowin, also known as the "Seven Council Fires."
Meya explains that Mille Lacs Lake holds a sacred place in Lakota/Dakota creation stories. The lake is considered sacred because the Dakota people believe they emerged from it as human beings into this world. Recognizing this profound spiritual significance, it has been proposed that U.S. Federal agencies formally recognize and declare Wakan/Mille Lacs Lake as a sacred Dakota Indian site.
Proposals to Help Heal the Genocidal Wounds of Indigenous Peoples: Renaming Ramey
Place names often carry historical weight and can serve as constant reminders of past injustices. The town of Ramey, Minnesota, is named after Alexander Ramsey, the state’s first governor, who made an infamous declaration on September 9, 1862, calling for the extermination or expulsion of the Sioux Indians from Minnesota. This declaration, as Waziyatawin Angela Wilson (Dakota) eloquently articulated, constituted a demand for what would today be identified as ethnic cleansing.
Given Ramsey’s role in perpetrating genocidal policies against the Dakota people, it has been proposed that the town of Ramey, Minnesota, change its name to remove this offensive reminder of a painful past. The current name is seen as a symbol of oppression and a barrier to reconciliation.
Removing Racist Symbols
Symbols can hold immense power, shaping perceptions and perpetuating harmful ideologies. The Knights of Columbus, a Roman Catholic fraternal organization, has been implicated in historical injustices against Indigenous peoples. Due to the moral guidance presented in the fifteenth century Papal Bull, Christopher Columbus felt justified and righteous to enslave Indigenous peoples. It has been proposed that the Church of Saint Stephen, a Roman Catholic Church located within the Dakota’s sacred Wakan/Rum River Watershed ancestral/traditional homeland, remove its Knights of Columbus sign and logo from its Knights of Columbus building. This removal would represent a symbolic act of solidarity with the Dakota people and a rejection of historical injustices.
Changing Offensive Geographic Place Names
The landscape itself can be scarred by names that perpetuate prejudice and disrespect. Many geographic place names in Minnesota are considered offensive to American Indians and others. To address this issue, Minnesota Representative Mike Jaros and the author collaborated on a draft bill to change 14 offensive names. This bill received the consent of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and was introduced to the Legislature on May 18, 2007. The proposed changes aimed to replace derogatory and insensitive names with more respectful and accurate designations.
Proposals to Help Heal the Genocidal Wounds of Indigenous Peoples: Renaming Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Even seemingly innocuous names can carry historical inaccuracies and perpetuate misunderstandings. Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, a popular destination for outdoor recreation, derives its name from a historical misinterpretation. According to an interpretive sign within the park, the area was originally referred to as "Izatys" by the Mdewakanton Dakota people. However, due to Sieur du Lhut’s poor handwriting, the "Iz" was incorrectly transcribed as a "K," resulting in the name "Kathio," a word that holds no meaning.
To rectify this historical error, it has been proposed that the name of Mille Lacs Kathio State Park be changed to Isanti State Park. As Tim Blue, the Education Director at Eci Nompa Woonspe, explains, "Isan means ‘Knife’ and Isanti refers to the Knife Lake and Mille Lacs Lake people of the Dakota nation." This change would restore the correct and meaningful name to the park, honoring the Dakota people’s connection to the land.
Returning Land to the Dakota People
Ultimately, true reconciliation requires addressing the fundamental issue of land dispossession. As Jeffrey Kolnick stated, "All of the wealth of Minnesota was in an important way financed by the taking of lands from the First Nations at gunpoint." To begin to address this historical injustice, it has been proposed that at least some areas of the Dakota’s Wakan/Mille Lacs Lake ancestral/traditional homeland be returned to the Dakota people.
This proposal seeks to restore a portion of the land that was unjustly taken from the Dakota people, enabling them to re-establish their connection to their ancestral homeland and exercise their rights to self-determination. It represents a tangible step towards redressing historical wrongs and fostering a more just and equitable relationship between the state of Minnesota and its Indigenous communities.
Proposals to Help Heal the Genocidal Wounds of Indigenous Peoples
The proposals discussed above represent a multifaceted approach to healing the wounds of genocide and ethnocide inflicted upon Indigenous peoples. By acknowledging historical injustices, supporting human rights, correcting historical inaccuracies, and returning land, Minnesota can take meaningful steps towards reconciliation and create a more just and equitable future for all its residents.