The History and Customs of the Spirit Lake Dakota
A Hidatsa man was accidently killed with his own gun while visiting the Dakota long ago. No one I interviewed could guess at the date of this occurrence. The Hidatsa (Red Willow People) lived here at Miniwakan Oyanke (Devils Lake) years ago. The Hidatsa name for the lake is MiriXopash Holy Water). Some anthropologists say they were “born” below the waters of our Holy Lake, and use the date 1500 as to their departure. Their leader had a dream to move west to the Missouri River. At the start of the Reservation Period when peace was established between various warring tribes, the Hidatsa began to visit the place of birth.
In the Mission District about the center of Section 21 is a historic site. The Dakota called this location Hewa Wankena Paha (Where the Hidatsa Lays). This hill top is located close to the new housing circle which I have been informed will be named after Chief Waanatan. There used to be a carin (rock pile) designating this location. There is a new gravel road leading to the hill top, but veers off to the housing circle. This rock pile was destroyed years ago, but it was on the top of this hill or rise in the topography.
The story connected to this site is that a group of Hidatsa came to a gathering about were the housing circle is located. One Hidatsa man had a loaded rifle laying in the box of his wagon. He kept it loaded because he was not sure the Dakota would keep the peace. He rummaged around in the wagon box trying to locate some object when the rifle went off and killed him. It is said that everyone ran away, but the man’s wife called out to “come back, he shot himself”. He was buried on top of the hill. A sad end to a formerly joyous gathering. Long ago everyone in the area knew of this historic site, but I doubt if anyone knows of it today.
The Hidatsa were called by the Dakota Hewatokto referring to the name of their Hill Village (Awaxawish, Upraised Earth) located at Stanton, North Dakota today. The Dakota name Hewatokto, has been abbreviated to “Hewa” using a guttural “H” to pronounce it properly.
