Exploring Minnesota Chapter 3: The Dakota

Introduction Of all the people who live in Minnesota, the Dakota have lived here the longest. Their history here goes back hundreds, possibly even thousands of years. For centuries, the Dakota have kept their history alive through a process called ORAL TRADITION, the purposeful repeating of stories which connect the Dakota people to each other and to their past.

The Storyteller It is the job of the storyteller to make sure that the oral traditions of the Dakota do not fade from memory. See “Oral Traditions Recorded” on page 26. Elder- an older member of the tribe who is respected for his or her knowledge and wisdom Tipi- a cone shaped house made by stretching animal skins over a frame of wooden poles.

Do the chapter 3 storytelling wkst.

Dakota Activities: Spring At first thaw, spring work begins. Men go off to hunt muskrat, beaver, and ducks, women and children head to the sugar camp where the maple trees are and turn sap into sugar and syrup. Clean and repair the bark houses and sugar house and made containers for holding maple sap. Test trees with ax. If ready pound wood chips in and begin collecting sap.

Dakota Activities: Summer Summer activities included planting, cultivating, and harvesting. -- corn, squash, beans. Men also fished and hunted small animals. Families gathered back together at the summer village. After corn was harvested then began the wild rice harvest with a celebration of the bounty. See page for process of harvesting and preparing wild rice.

Dakota Activities: Autumn Hunt animals to prepare for winter – food, clothing, shelter Families pack up and head for the hunting grounds designated by the chief. Gather in the morning to go over hunting areas. Ohanwaste – generosity toward everyone, was an important part of life and showed during hunting. See page 31.

Dakota Activities: Winter The autumn hunt often lasted until January. Dakota set up villages deep in the sheltering woods. Men fished, relaxed and visited with one another. Women tanned hides and sewed clothing. Ate corn and dried meat. Winter had many hardships. See page 33 on family life.