05-05-2014 Park Commission Packet

Home Browse Search

Nliy wi ry�cZ z,«Q.4.t,ul7n /. ,;e4-/ 7)eLtt seven Flags Area JThe property located on the Watertown Road in Long Lake, section 4 Township 117 Range 23. borders Willow Drive to the east and Crystal Bay Road on the west has been identified by many Native Americans as Soared Ground. This high plain area which is identified in a topographical map indicates that the area bordering this property and back as far as Highway 12 is a high flat plain with elevations as high as 1,030 feet. The point or sacred gathering area is located off the Watertown Road mid way on the property. Standing on this point affords a view of 7 watertowers and looks over Lake Minnetonka . Geologically this area would have been a lookout point over an expanded Lake Minnetonka in early history. Various artifacts have been found at this high point location, such as hide scrapers and grinding stones. lFrom 1968 to the pr'e'sent day this area has been used for sacred ceremonies by many Native American people. During the summer of 1966, The American Indian Movement, AIM, organizational meetings were held at this site. In 1987 , a Native American Joseph Brewer, a Minnewachten Sioux from Shakopee, indicated that this area was a sacred gathering place of the seven flags of the Seven Nations. The Lake Minnetonka area was a traditonal sacred hunting ground and sacred lake to the Minnewachten people. At this time a sacred Pipe was presented to me as keeper of this land. In the summer of 1987 a Native American flute maker Hollis Littlecreek, obibway, came to the land and also presented me with a Sacred Pipe as a "keeper". In the summer of 1990'a Native American Richard La Gaard, Ojibway indicated that he believed that there were burial sites on the property.In the fall. of 1990 a sacred ceremony was held at this site and a Native American Medicine man Melvin Greybear identified two burial sites of highly regarded tribal leaders. He also described the area as a sacred gathering place for many tribes. A map located at.the Long Lake Museum identifies the Watertown Road as the main Indian 'Trail around Lake Minnetonka and further identifies many burial mounds. Archaelogical data on the entird Long Lake/Lake Minnetonka area indicated the existence of various artifacs which are not indigenious to the area. This data substantiates the contention of the Native Americans that this area was indeed the gathering place of the Seven Nations, -much _like _a- multi -nation _ summit -conferences held.today. _ 11n Aug. 1991 we were contacted by the State Archaeological Office as a rerult of an inquiry to them by Earl Sargent, of the Indian Affaira Board. The archelogical office asked, and been presented with a background letter to begin their investigations.