Prairie Island Indian Community members are descendents of the Mdewakanton Band of Eastern Dakota, also known as the Mississippi or Minnesota Sioux. The Mdewakanton have lived on Prairie Island, located in south eastern Minnesota along the wooded shores of the Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers, for countless generations.
Official Tribal Name: Prairie Island Indian Community in the State of Minnesota
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Official Website: http://www.prairieisland.org
Recognition Status:Federally Recognized
Traditional Name / Traditional Meaning:
Mdewakanton, meaning “those who were born of the waters.”
Common Name: Minnesota Sioux
Meaning of Common Name:
Dakota is often reported as meaning “ally or friend,” but this is incorrect. The real definition of Dakota/Nakota/Lakota is “those who consider themselves kindred.” See this detailed explanation of Sioux Names.
Alternate names / Alternate spellings: Dakota
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State(s) Today: Minnesota
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Confederacy: Sioux Nation
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Reservation: Prairie Island Indian Community and Off-Reservation Trust Land
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Sioux Chiefs and Famous People:
Arthur Amiotte, (Oglala Lakota)-Painter, Sculptor, Author, Historian
Bryan Akipa, flutist (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate)
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Descendants Remember Battle of Little Big Horn
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