July 23, 1851

Wahpeton and Sisseton Dakota bands sign the treaty of Traverse des Sioux, near St. Peter. Cloud Man and Sleepy Eyes are among the Dakota signers, while Alexander Ramsey and Luke Lea represent the United States, with missionary Stephen Riggs interpreting. Henry H. Sibley acts as agent for the fur traders, who had accumulated debts from the Indians. In the treaty, the Dakota relinquish title to their lands west of the Mississippi River, about 24 million acres, for $1,665,000 and a reservation for the Indians is set up in the Minnesota River valley. Soon, a similar treaty with other Dakota bands is signed at Mendota. Problems with treaty payments would be one of the causes of the U.S.–Dakota War of 1862. Want to explore this and other events?

Thanks to Juliana James’ 4th Grade Class at Frost Lake Magnet School part of St Paul Public Schools for the research on January’s Day in History.

Thanks also to Minnesota’s Learn and Serve America Service Learning Program for their help.

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