29 July 2018 Pipestone National Monument

We drove (1 hour) up to Pipestone NM in southwestern Minnesota. The NM is only 300 acres in size and encompasses multiple quarries where Native American Indian Tribes mined catlinite, a soft stone formed from ancient clay, which was carved into pipe bowls. The catlinite is under multiple layers of Quartzite, which have to be removed by hand. There are piles of quartzite from hundreds of years of mining. The tribes still mine on the site today. The stone is cut and carved using tools similar to basic wood working tools. It is only slightly harder than a fingernail. There were a couple native artists in the visitor center that we watched mold the stone into pipe bowls. They would smoke leaves from wild tobacco plants and Sumac. We hiked the ¾ mile Circle Trail, which takes you past the Sioux Cliffs, numerous quarries, and Winnewissa Falls. 

One of the Quarry Sites. You can see a hand shovel under the water on the left

Winnewissa Falls

Leslie and David in front of Winnewissa Falls

In the distance we could hear the ceremonial drums and chats of an Indian tribe holding a Sun Dance, where the Indians dance and pray for their people, their families, and the health and happiness of all living things.   It’s a Native American ceremony that requires fasting (no food or water) and dancing for four days, inviting one’s soul close to death in order to speak with the spirits.   The Ranger at the Visitors Center mentioned several protocols to follow if we wanted to go and watch.    The women required long skirts or dresses and a shawl.  Without those, stop by the kitchen and ask for help.  No jewelry is allowed and neither are eyeglasses of any kind.  No recording or photography equipment is allowed.  It is suggested that while at the Sundance or sweatlodge ceremonies, it is easy to let your emotions and feelings wander.  They ask that you please keep all negative feelings in control and refrain from arguments and gossip.  If we could practice such control today…who knows.    It’s a surprising little NM in the middle of prairie and unique in that it is a living monument which continues age old traditions today.