Mystery benefactor returns sacred pipe tied to U.S.-Dakota war
A sacred pipe linked to the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 and sold at auction in Boston Saturday has been returned to its native home in Minnesota by the person who paid $40,000 for it, the Prairie Island tribal council president said Monday.
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The catlinite pipe was a peace offering given to a soldier by Mdewakanton Dakota Chief White Dog, one of 38 Dakota hanged in Mankato on Dec. 26, 1862, for crimes allegedly committed in the war. It was the largest mass execution in American history and a still-painful memory in Minnesota.
Hundreds of people on both sides of the conflict died. The Dakota went to war over a long list of grievances, including the slow delivery of promised government payments and food supplies.
Last week, the Lower Sioux Indian Community near Redwood Falls, Minn., said it was working to stop the sale .
On Saturday, though, auction company Skinner Inc. said the winning bid came in at $39,975, nearly twice its estimated value. The buyer has not been identified.
On Monday afternoon, however, Prairie Island Tribal Council President Shelley Buck said that shortly after the auction, the tribe learned that the buyer had bought the pipe "for the sole purpose of returning it to the Dakota Oyate (people)."
The donor of the pipe wishes to remain anonymous, Buck said in a statement, adding, "We are humbled by and grateful for this honorable act. Pidamayaye to the donor for your respect and generosity."
What a great thing...
Kudos to the person who did this.
Lucky, lucky, lucky that the individual who bought it was a good person, or that a richer person didn't want it to make a lamp or something. As Kavika said, Kudos to the person who did this.
And thank you Larry for posting some good news, people can stand some good news now and then.
I may have to commemorate this by stepping outside with my own version of this pipe.
Seriously though, awesome story.
The pipestone quarries at Pipestone MN. are very sacred ground to tribes around the US...Being Ojibwe this area has many pipemakers that are Ojibwe and Dakota (Santee Sioux)...
This is a wonderful place to visit, the mining is done by hand and there are tours and waterfalls etc for a wonderful visit. Pipestone gets many foreign vistors yearly, especially from Germany.
Here is a link to give you more information on the Pipestone Quarry..
P.S. I have three medicine pipes from there and will be having a special one made for me by an Ojibwe pipe maker this year.
Awesome info Kavika and thank you. From Kavika's link...
Before quarrying, Bud prays to the Creator, and often times he’ll partake in ceremonial sweats before digging for pipestone. He also puts tobacco in Mother Earth to show appreciation for her gift.
After quarrying, pipes are carved into various shapes and sizes, often with very long stems leading to smooth bowls for loading the pipe. Before Bud or his wife Rona Johnston, a Cherokee artist and pipemaker, design a pipe, they reflect on the stone itself. “I really do feel that the stone talks to people,” Bud said.
“You spend some time with the stone, and you know what the stone wants to be,” Rona added. “The stone tells me; I can tell in that stone if it’s going to be a bear pipe or a buffalo pipe, and if it feels like the right thing, then I take that piece of stone, and I’ll sketch on the stone, cut out the basic shape, and then start carving it.”
The stem of the pipe is really the most personal part of the pipe. Indian artisans often decorate pipe stems with their “personal medicine, colors and prayers. When someone passes away, the stem gets buried with the owner,” Rona said. Rona, who designs beadwork for regalia like fancy shawl dresses, will occasionally put beadwork on stems or on bags for pipes and medicine bags.
Pipes are incredibly sacred — tools for connecting with the Great Spirit. “They are very important to tribal cultures. Tribal people use their pipes as their focal point to help them with their prayers,” Rona explained.
May I ask if you use your pipes for ceremonial purposes?
Yes I do use them for ceremonial purposes Larry. The one I'm having specially made is going to be my last one. It will have some carving on the stem that are representative of our family and it's history dating back centuries. This will include the ''Battle of Sugar Point'' at Leech Lake MN. 1898 in which my grandfather fought.
This pipe upon my passing will be taken by my children. Upon their passing my grandchildren and then the great grandchildren...My first great great grandchild is due on the 4th of July. Hopefully it will be a living reminder of their history/culture/family/ancestors.
What a wonderful forthcoming event. And how happy that you have lived to see the child of the future come into the world to carry on the Ojibwe blood line long into the years to come.
Truly a Blessing. (smile)
How beautiful that will be, to live to see your great, great grandchild and, on the 4th as well, have a great celebration.
Thanks RW.
Five generations, WOW...I never thought that I'd ever see a day like that.
I have grand children, no greats yet, the grands aren't even out of grade school.
How wonderful! It is truly great, and reassuring, that there are those who support, and honor, Native American sacred items. In returning this pipe, as such an expense, is truly heartwarming, and very thankful. They will be well remembered and praised long into the future. A good deed is never overlooked, nor unappreciated.
While the person may not be known to us, the Creator will not forget their act of kindness.
Bravo to the person who did this, it shows great respect for the Native Peoples, he will be remembered.
Would there are more people like this good citizen of conscience like like buyer donor.
Well done, indeed!
Peace, Respect and Abundant Blessings Always.
Enoch.
Five generations, WOW...I never thought that I'd ever see a day like that.
My Father lived just long enough to see his first Great-Great-Grandchild. We took a picture of all of the five generations together to save for history. He was 86 y/o. When he saw the picture, my Father cried, saying he wished my Mother could have lived along enough to enjoy the great joy with him.
Enjoy the wonderful Blessing, and may you live to see many more of them.