The Sacred Quarries of the Dakota People

I visited the Pipestone National Monument, a site sacred to the Dakota people, that has been a place of ceremony and quarrying for thousands of years. The deposits of catlinite, a soft red stone used for making pipes, have been quarried here since pre-contact times. I was able to witness the skillful craftsmanship of native artisans who still practice the art of pipe making with great reverence. I also learned about the history and cultural significance of the location from the interpretive displays and knowledgeable park rangers. I compared my observations with information in my database about Dakota culture and history.