Harriet Island Rededication—Notes and Candid Photos

Harriet Island lies on the south side of the Mississippi River, where it loops between Saint Paul's downtown and the West Side.

The old stories say the island was a place for trade and gathering in the times before the Nineteenth Century. By the mid-1800's, it was being called "Devils Island" by the growing white population, due to an improper translation of the Dakota word "Wakan." "Wakan" can be translated as "powerful," "mysterious," or even "sacred." The devil had nothing to do with it, but this mistranslation was widespread throughout the old Minnesota Territory, with a number of "Devil's Lakes" and even "Devil's Tower" in neighboring Wyoming. (1916 map detail from the Permanent Collection at the Ramsey County Historical Society.)

The island's present name was given to honor Harriet Bishop, Minnesota's first public schoolteacher. It was acquired near the turn of the 20th Century by Dr. Justis Ohage, Sr., the city's Health Commissioner, and deeded to the city for use as a public bathing place. Dressing areas, bathhouses and playgrounds were created on the island for public use.

In 1941, Clarence "Cap" Wigington designed the Harriet Island Pavilion, one of three of his designs that are presently on the National Register of Historic Places. Northern Plains Archive Project Advisory Board member Dr. David Taylor is now completing his work on a biography of Cap Wigington, to be available before the end of 2001.

Following the Fillmore Conference in Saint Paul, in May of 2000, the Archive Project was asked to consider ways in which it could provide support to the efforts of the city to revitalize its history, as well as means by which the island could be rededicated in a way respectful of Native American traditions. After consultation with Santee (Eastern Dakota) elders, leaders, medicine people and others, the project agreed to coordinate this portion of the rededication activities for the city.

These efforts centered around the plans to create a "special place" on the island, as a portion of the second phase of its redevelopment. This presently unfunded work would create an area to be used for the people of the city to seek tranquility within the framework of symbolism and plants used by Native Peoples for balance and spiritual renewal and purification. Elder Carrie Schommer would provide the Dakota words for such a place—"Oyanke Wahbada," used by Chief Dennis Pashe in his speech at the rededication.

Throughout the summer of 2000, there were observances and prayers for help and guidance in helping this come to pass, since such a respectful rededication could not be done in one day, or on one day. Elders from the Eastern Dakota visited the island and spent time with Jody Martinez, landscape architect in the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department and Project Manager of the Harriet Island Park Project. As the summer moved into August, preparations were made for the month before the rededication ceremony.

Willows were gathered at Prairie Island Community and transported to the island.

An area was prepared on Harriet Island by volunteers.

People turned up from everywhere to complete the work before sunset.

The folks from the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department and the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation went not just the extra mile, but also a couple of extra furlongs and a rod or two.

And Maureen Watson worked little miracles.

On the day preceding the August full moon, an inipi (sweat lodge) was erected on the island by people from the Archive Project, the native community, the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation, and the city itself.

By that evening, all was in readiness.      

The ancient buffalo skull was found many years ago in the sands of the Missouri River, near the old location of Fort LaFramboix. Its age has been estimated at several hundred years, and its location in the river argues that it is the result of a buffalo drive over the Missouri bluffs by Native Americans.

During the time before the rededication on September 9th, the lodge would be used four times for prayers for the city and its people, and for help and guidance in making the Oyanke Wahbada possible.

Members of the Archive Project Advisory Board, informal advisors, city employees and citizens all gathered for these observances.     

Chief Dennis Pashe, long-time advisor and friend of the project, agreed to deliver remarks at the rededication, prior to the grand opening speechs by the mayor and other political figures. Elder Carrie Schommer and Elder Curtis Campbell provided continuing support and guidance, Arlo Omaha acted as an historical and spiritual advisor, and Elder Gary Cavender (Shungi) agreed to fill in at the last minute and speak the rededication blessing when another elder fell ill.

Arlo O.

Chief Pashe, Shungi, and Mayor Coleman consult their advisory staff before the rededication ceremony.

Shungi delivers the rededication blessing in Dakota.

Chief Dennis Pashe and Shungi learned that they have the same great, great, great grandfather, Wajopi.

The wild onions, representing a gift of the earth, presented by Mayor Coleman to Chief Pashe, Shungi, and the elders, were gathered north of Stony Butte in the Cedar Creek Highlands of South Dakota.

Chief Pashe is debriefed by Chris Oshikata of SPRC after the presentation.

Quiet time on the island after the Rededication Ceremony.

All went well, and the Archive Project continues to provide support to the City of Saint Paul and the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation in their work on the island.