sings
Full Member
Posts: 119
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Post by sings on Nov 9, 2006 15:53:01 GMT -5
Help anyone !! we have found information in the Word Carrier of a person being buried at Brown Earth......can some one please tell us where this is at...we can, of course , find Blue Earth, and Brown County, but nothing refers to exactly Brown Earth.... thanks in advance for any help..... The Searching Red Wings
jamie: if this turns up in the wrong place.......would you please correct it forme ?? thnx much
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Post by tamara on Nov 9, 2006 16:16:18 GMT -5
There is a great explaination of Brown Earth in the Williamson Memorandum. Brown Earth was an area near Milbank South Dakota where a number of people moved and formed a sort of Colony. I dont think that it lasted for very long and in the sisseton annuity records you often find persons referred to as Brown Earth Indians or returning from Brown Earth.
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sings
Full Member
Posts: 119
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Post by sings on Nov 9, 2006 16:20:22 GMT -5
Tamara---thank you so much--- you are very appreciated, along with manyothers on this site kit
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Post by tamara on Nov 9, 2006 21:01:53 GMT -5
you are most welcome, and you are equally appreciated... now my curiosity in the colony has been even more increased to know that there might be a cemetary there...
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Post by jazzdog on Nov 10, 2006 3:35:28 GMT -5
I should probably tell everyone at this time that my father, my oldest brother and myself, actually went to the Ascension Church on the Sisseton Agency on the weekend of October 27th and went through the entire church cemetary looking for our relatives. However, based upon an earlier meeting that my father and mother had had with the church caretaker several weeks before, we were told that a much older cemetary existed where many people belonging to the Ascension church were buried, was in fact away from the site of the church, and that many of our collective relatives were buried up on a high hill beyond the church, but it was only accessible by foot since there was no road up to the site. Based upon some local residents' accounts, we at least were able to discern a general whereabouts of the old cemetary. Therefore we did take it upon ourselves to try to find it. It took quite an uphill forested hike to finally reach it, but we did find the very old cemetary. It was a joyous feeling to come upon the burial grounds when we did, because it seemed as if there was nothing up on top of the hill at the time we were seeking. But, upon my seeing the first gravestones within the fall foilage and the beautiful October environment, my heart leapt and rejoiced that in fact the grave site did exist and we had found it, despite the impediments. What we found at the top of one of the highest points in the vicinity, was a very old, unkept and unpreserved cemetary. Trees and brush had overgrown the full extent of the area upon and within the burial grounds....since it was fall, leaves were heavy and strewn about, and the crunching of those leaves accompanied our footsteps upon that hallowed ground. It is a truly beautiful area and we could tell why the anscestors would choose such a site to lay to rest the earthly remains of the anscestors that had passed before..... But we did notice immediately that the cemetary has not been dutifully cared for for many years.....the site had been overcome by many small trees and brush, and the area had obviously been open to cattle grazing, as there were cattle trails and knockedover stones and such. It seemed an injustice that this beautiful final resting spot chosen for some of our anscestors, was so unkept and uncared for. Many of the headstones if they were not knocked over or cracked, were significantly buried in the earth. We spent almost two and a half hours up there to try to document as many of the burial sites as we could ascertain under the circumstances. I took video tape of many of the graves and headstones, and we spent much time trying to discover as much as we could before the sun went down, and we had to leave. We saw many names and many graves of our collective anscestors while there, and I and my father and brother agreed that we needed to put things into motion to legally restore the cemetary if we can, in light of concerns over grave and remains protection and the concerns over spiritual and cultural as well as legal concerns. The feeling while there, was not of death or sorrow, but of the joy and fulfillment of discovery of some of our collective past, that has not been totally lost. We saw graves of the Renvilles, DeCouteaus, Lawrences, and some Campbells, amongst other families. I will, within my own power and abilities, try to do what I can, to try to further the restoration and protection of this beautiful area........I hope that maybe some of our brotherhood and sisterhood on the Oyate Exchange might be interested in helping us. It is truly historic, and actually helpful in understanding our roots and origin in those times.
I would appreciate any thoughts and comments upon my post. Take care all, and may the Great Spirit help and guide you and all of your families and friends.
As always,
Jazzdog
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sings
Full Member
Posts: 119
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Post by sings on Nov 10, 2006 3:54:36 GMT -5
Jazzdog: thank you so much for the beautifully written account of the Ascension cemetery. It is truly ashame what is happening to some of the remote historic sites that remain. I hope we are understanding the location of that particular cemetery of which you wrote. It is the one referred to as Brown Earth? We are interested in learning all we can about " Brown Earth" due to the fact that have recently learned that g g grandfather, Robert Hakewaste's father, Mazasicun a. k.a. Asa Rice was buried at Brown Earth in 1887. Any feed back or information concerning this matter would be so greatly appreciated. sisco and kit thank you
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Post by jazzdog on Nov 10, 2006 4:02:24 GMT -5
singsdakota
I do not think it is the same. The Brown Earth situation seems to be closer to the modern day town of Milbank. The site of the cemetary I mentioned is about thirteen miles south of the town of Sisseton, which is quite a ways from Milbank or the Milbank area. I just wanted to clarify that aspect. thanks.
jazzdog
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Post by tamara on Nov 10, 2006 13:15:50 GMT -5
I should probably tell everyone at this time that my father, my oldest brother and myself, actually went to the Ascension Church on the Sisseton Agency on the weekend of October 27th and went through the entire church cemetary looking for our relatives. However, based upon an earlier meeting that my father and mother had had with the church caretaker several weeks before, we were told that a much older cemetary existed where many people belonging to the Ascension church were buried, was in fact away from the site of the church, and that many of our collective relatives were buried up on a high hill beyond the church, but it was only accessible by foot since there was no road up to the site. Based upon some local residents' accounts, we at least were able to discern a general whereabouts of the old cemetary. Therefore we did take it upon ourselves to try to find it. It took quite an uphill forested hike to finally reach it, but we did find the very old cemetary. It was a joyous feeling to come upon the burial grounds when we did, because it seemed as if there was nothing up on top of the hill at the time we were seeking. But, upon my seeing the first gravestones within the fall foilage and the beautiful October environment, my heart leapt and rejoiced that in fact the grave site did exist and we had found it, despite the impediments. What we found at the top of one of the highest points in the vicinity, was a very old, unkept and unpreserved cemetary. Trees and brush had overgrown the full extent of the area upon and within the burial grounds....since it was fall, leaves were heavy and strewn about, and the crunching of those leaves accompanied our footsteps upon that hallowed ground. It is a truly beautiful area and we could tell why the anscestors would choose such a site to lay to rest the earthly remains of the anscestors that had passed before..... But we did notice immediately that the cemetary has not been dutifully cared for for many years.....the site had been overcome by many small trees and brush, and the area had obviously been open to cattle grazing, as there were cattle trails and knockedover stones and such. It seemed an injustice that this beautiful final resting spot chosen for some of our anscestors, was so unkept and uncared for. Many of the headstones if they were not knocked over or cracked, were significantly buried in the earth. We spent almost two and a half hours up there to try to document as many of the burial sites as we could ascertain under the circumstances. I took video tape of many of the graves and headstones, and we spent much time trying to discover as much as we could before the sun went down, and we had to leave. We saw many names and many graves of our collective anscestors while there, and I and my father and brother agreed that we needed to put things into motion to legally restore the cemetary if we can, in light of concerns over grave and remains protection and the concerns over spiritual and cultural as well as legal concerns. The feeling while there, was not of death or sorrow, but of the joy and fulfillment of discovery of some of our collective past, that has not been totally lost. We saw graves of the Renvilles, DeCouteaus, Lawrences, and some Campbells, amongst other families. I will, within my own power and abilities, try to do what I can, to try to further the restoration and protection of this beautiful area........I hope that maybe some of our brotherhood and sisterhood on the Oyate Exchange might be interested in helping us. It is truly historic, and actually helpful in understanding our roots and origin in those times. I would appreciate any thoughts and comments upon my post. Take care all, and may the Great Spirit help and guide you and all of your families and friends. As always, Jazzdog COUNT ME IN! This is a subject I have speaking to anyone and everyone that will listen to me on the Sisseton Reservation. There are other cemetarys there that are not in such bad shape and this is what my much loved and much missed Grandfather told me about our family graves. This is something that the family takes care of and in a way how the oral history gets passed down. When family moves away or other divisive life circumstances affect this tradition, this is what happens. He himself made great effort to care for our loved ones graves at St James Enemy Swim, and had much worries that the next generation would not do the same. I and my siblings have assured him that we will. He expalined how it was common to plant the Lilac bushes that so many of the graves have been ruined by, he asked us to cut them back and even try to remove them as he knew he wouldnt be here to do it. His last year here, we took him, wheelchair and all, to the cemetary and I asked him everything I could think of. Also greatly missed in this world is Fr Ron Campbell, (he is the man who showed me that god is love and much more) a few years before he passed on he told me that there are no old records of the graves and he wanted anyone who knew of loved ones buried there without markers or where they were, to please tell him so that he cold make record of it. I know of other families that have replaced broken headstones and blessed new ones for their loved ones. I have wished that there was a graves restoration project and would very much like to begin one. I am very familiar with all of the historical family names and the location and areas they lived in. I have also documented the headstones at St James, St Marys, Goodwill, and St Andrews, also St Matthews. Photos and some video. I laugh when I think of the videos I did of St James as my grandfather phyiscaly couldnt go with me, I wanted him to help me find the graves of the people we spoke of.. watching it, he got frustrated with me (on tape) and kept telling me "over there", "to the left" as if I could listen and turn on the tape! lol I also had him draw me a map of St James and the headstones that no longer exist and the persons he knows are buried there. What would be do with out our elders huh? I doubt they know how valuable they are, how their every thought means so much to me, and how precious every word, in english or Dakota. I reviewed my tape of my Grandfather speaking Dakota, telling me the story of his family,and the indian names of them, and how they addressed each other. I am thinking it means more to me than any material thing I own... things money just cant buy... -anyway, count me in and I will help with all that I can. I spend my entire summers there and find winter time is the right time for the graves where there is much brush. I am going to next, do rubbings to get the exacts on the moss covered and wore headstones.
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Post by tamara on Nov 10, 2006 13:27:28 GMT -5
singsdakota I do not think it is the same. The Brown Earth situation seems to be closer to the modern day town of Milbank. The site of the cemetary I mentioned is about thirteen miles south of the town of Sisseton, which is quite a ways from Milbank or the Milbank area. I just wanted to clarify that aspect. thanks. jazzdog I think what you are talking about it in Big Coulie distict... (where is Charlotte?.. I know she knows, lol)
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Post by chaskeboy on Nov 10, 2006 23:25:46 GMT -5
I went there a couple years ago. Go west from Milbank, SD, on SD Highway 12 towards Summit, about 3-4 miles out take the blacktop road south (turn left), go about 6-8 miles, take the gravel road west (turn right), go about 2-4 miles, you will come to a white church and cemetery overlooking the Whetstone Valley. It has a sign and marker so you will know you are there. Unfortunately, acid rain has affected the stone markers and they are almost unreadable.
It was a lonely place. Let me know what your impressions are and good hunting. chaskeboy - swiftelk@venturecomm.net
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Post by hermin1 on Nov 11, 2006 0:04:15 GMT -5
jazzdog: I fully agree with you. It is a crying shame that that Cemetary has been neglected. is the Ascension church still active? If so, I'd put a bonfire under the church board and/or the pastor's butt about the cemetery. or find out which denomination it is and go after the ir diocese if they have one.
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Post by peacekeeper on Nov 11, 2006 0:07:00 GMT -5
Chaskeboy,
Thank you for the detailed information on how to get to Brown Earth. I think that everyone who needs to find this place could get in their cars and drive right to it, based on your directions.
Jackie
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Post by tamara on Nov 11, 2006 0:13:03 GMT -5
I hope to be able to go there someday soon. Thanks for the directions. I love it that you are watching this line of conversation lol. I know how important our history is to you and your efforts to collect and preserve it. tamara PS Congratulations!!!
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Post by chaskeboy on Nov 13, 2006 18:53:06 GMT -5
Yup, it is me, Mr. Lucky! In the past several months, during times of confusion and stress, I would visit the "Oyate Exchange" to listen and learn, which was a great encouragement in a distressing time. I just could not find the time to do the historical and genealogy work that I cherish, but I would make time to drop by once a day to review everyone's hard work. Keep up the good work, as we are only starting what promises to be an exciting journey to where our relatives and ancestors thrived in bliss. Nikoda, Mike
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Post by sara on Nov 13, 2006 21:05:20 GMT -5
From Iapi Oaye
Tonweya or Scouts Church was formed of the Dakotas attached to the U.S. Army and engaged in patrolling the country from Fort Abercrombie on the north to Kettle Lakes. It existed from 1863 with 33 members till 1868 with 41 members and was visited by Williamson, Riggs and John B. Renville.
Washwekicidapi was also organized among the migrating Dakota in 1865 by Rev Willimason and Dr Riggs. In 1868 these two churches were disbanded and five local churches were organized- Ascension Long Hollow, Drywood Lakes(became Goodwill) Kettle lakes and Lac qui Parle.
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Post by sara on Nov 13, 2006 21:11:23 GMT -5
From Iapi Oaye
Iyakaptapi - Up and Over - Acension Church - Wilmont and Peever SD Lake Traverse Reservation - organized 7-27-1868 with 45 members.
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Post by sara on Nov 13, 2006 21:22:39 GMT -5
From Iapi Oaye
Makagiyuzapi - Brown Earth, Milbank Organized in 1876 with 42 members
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Post by tamara on Nov 13, 2006 22:05:03 GMT -5
Aah, Mr S., Luck had nothing to do with it. The people have spoken and made a very wise choice in my opinion. I for one appreciate your taking the time to sign on the board and read. It impresses me and speaks much for all of the contributors that post here, that we have found things that you might not have already seen or have. The folks here might not know much about you yet, but I Know how much effort you have made in studying and preserving our dakota history and how this work is not new to you. I am sure that these type of qualities are recognized by our people and wont be forgotten. I am looking forward to the future and your enthusiam is always contagious.
Tamara
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neilanlora3514
New Member
Correction Elizabeth winyan ..auto correct changed it
Posts: 9
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Post by neilanlora3514 on Dec 24, 2021 17:31:33 GMT -5
I should probably tell everyone at this time that my father, my oldest brother and myself, actually went to the Ascension Church on the Sisseton Agency on the weekend of October 27th and went through the entire church cemetary looking for our relatives. However, based upon an earlier meeting that my father and mother had had with the church caretaker several weeks before, we were told that a much older cemetary existed where many people belonging to the Ascension church were buried, was in fact away from the site of the church, and that many of our collective relatives were buried up on a high hill beyond the church, but it was only accessible by foot since there was no road up to the site. Based upon some local residents' accounts, we at least were able to discern a general whereabouts of the old cemetary. Therefore we did take it upon ourselves to try to find it. It took quite an uphill forested hike to finally reach it, but we did find the very old cemetary. It was a joyous feeling to come upon the burial grounds when we did, because it seemed as if there was nothing up on top of the hill at the time we were seeking. But, upon my seeing the first gravestones within the fall foilage and the beautiful October environment, my heart leapt and rejoiced that in fact the grave site did exist and we had found it, despite the impediments. What we found at the top of one of the highest points in the vicinity, was a very old, unkept and unpreserved cemetary. Trees and brush had overgrown the full extent of the area upon and within the burial grounds....since it was fall, leaves were heavy and strewn about, and the crunching of those leaves accompanied our footsteps upon that hallowed ground. It is a truly beautiful area and we could tell why the anscestors would choose such a site to lay to rest the earthly remains of the anscestors that had passed before..... But we did notice immediately that the cemetary has not been dutifully cared for for many years.....the site had been overcome by many small trees and brush, and the area had obviously been open to cattle grazing, as there were cattle trails and knockedover stones and such. It seemed an injustice that this beautiful final resting spot chosen for some of our anscestors, was so unkept and uncared for. Many of the headstones if they were not knocked over or cracked, were significantly buried in the earth. We spent almost two and a half hours up there to try to document as many of the burial sites as we could ascertain under the circumstances. I took video tape of many of the graves and headstones, and we spent much time trying to discover as much as we could before the sun went down, and we had to leave. We saw many names and many graves of our collective anscestors while there, and I and my father and brother agreed that we needed to put things into motion to legally restore the cemetary if we can, in light of concerns over grave and remains protection and the concerns over spiritual and cultural as well as legal concerns. The feeling while there, was not of death or sorrow, but of the joy and fulfillment of discovery of some of our collective past, that has not been totally lost. We saw graves of the Renvilles, DeCouteaus, Lawrences, and some Campbells, amongst other families. I will, within my own power and abilities, try to do what I can, to try to further the restoration and protection of this beautiful area........I hope that maybe some of our brotherhood and sisterhood on the Oyate Exchange might be interested in helping us. It is truly historic, and actually helpful in understanding our roots and origin in those times. I would appreciate any thoughts and comments upon my post. Take care all, and may the Great Spirit help and guide you and all of your families and friends. As always, Jazzdog
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neilanlora3514
New Member
Correction Elizabeth winyan ..auto correct changed it
Posts: 9
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Post by neilanlora3514 on Dec 24, 2021 17:32:18 GMT -5
I should probably tell everyone at this time that my father, my oldest brother and myself, actually went to the Ascension Church on the Sisseton Agency on the weekend of October 27th and went through the entire church cemetary looking for our relatives. However, based upon an earlier meeting that my father and mother had had with the church caretaker several weeks before, we were told that a much older cemetary existed where many people belonging to the Ascension church were buried, was in fact away from the site of the church, and that many of our collective relatives were buried up on a high hill beyond the church, but it was only accessible by foot since there was no road up to the site. Based upon some local residents' accounts, we at least were able to discern a general whereabouts of the old cemetary. Therefore we did take it upon ourselves to try to find it. It took quite an uphill forested hike to finally reach it, but we did find the very old cemetary. It was a joyous feeling to come upon the burial grounds when we did, because it seemed as if there was nothing up on top of the hill at the time we were seeking. But, upon my seeing the first gravestones within the fall foilage and the beautiful October environment, my heart leapt and rejoiced that in fact the grave site did exist and we had found it, despite the impediments. What we found at the top of one of the highest points in the vicinity, was a very old, unkept and unpreserved cemetary. Trees and brush had overgrown the full extent of the area upon and within the burial grounds....since it was fall, leaves were heavy and strewn about, and the crunching of those leaves accompanied our footsteps upon that hallowed ground. It is a truly beautiful area and we could tell why the anscestors would choose such a site to lay to rest the earthly remains of the anscestors that had passed before..... But we did notice immediately that the cemetary has not been dutifully cared for for many years.....the site had been overcome by many small trees and brush, and the area had obviously been open to cattle grazing, as there were cattle trails and knockedover stones and such. It seemed an injustice that this beautiful final resting spot chosen for some of our anscestors, was so unkept and uncared for. Many of the headstones if they were not knocked over or cracked, were significantly buried in the earth. We spent almost two and a half hours up there to try to document as many of the burial sites as we could ascertain under the circumstances. I took video tape of many of the graves and headstones, and we spent much time trying to discover as much as we could before the sun went down, and we had to leave. We saw many names and many graves of our collective anscestors while there, and I and my father and brother agreed that we needed to put things into motion to legally restore the cemetary if we can, in light of concerns over grave and remains protection and the concerns over spiritual and cultural as well as legal concerns. The feeling while there, was not of death or sorrow, but of the joy and fulfillment of discovery of some of our collective past, that has not been totally lost. We saw graves of the Renvilles, DeCouteaus, Lawrences, and some Campbells, amongst other families. I will, within my own power and abilities, try to do what I can, to try to further the restoration and protection of this beautiful area........I hope that maybe some of our brotherhood and sisterhood on the Oyate Exchange might be interested in helping us. It is truly historic, and actually helpful in understanding our roots and origin in those times. I would appreciate any thoughts and comments upon my post. Take care all, and may the Great Spirit help and guide you and all of your families and friends. As always, Jazzdog
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