Lake Hiawatha

Great blue herons, egrets, minks, muskrats, snapping turtles and more call Lake Hiawatha home.

J. Borden

Quick Facts

Location:

North side of the trail, about halfway between the Visitor Center and the waterfall.

Significance:

Created by the CCC-ID for children at the Pipestone Indian Boarding School.

Amenities

6 listed

Audio Description, Benches/Seating, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Wheelchair Accessible

This lake was originally a swampy area, but the CCC-ID (Civilian Conservation Corps - Indian Division) built a dam in the 1930s to create a swimming hole for children living at the nearby Pipestone Indian Boarding School. The boarding school was one of many that attempted to assimilate Indigenous children by suppressing Native language, religion, and culture. When the children came here to swim, they learned about quarrying and carving from the active quarriers nearby.

Today, in addition to quarrying and carving, the Monument is used regularly for many spiritual and cultural traditions, such as (Dakota translation included): 

Sun Dance - wiwáŋyaŋg wačhípi [wee-WAH-yaug wa-CHEE-pee] 
Sweat Lodges - Iníkaǧapi [ee-NEE-kah-ghah-pee]  
Vision Quests - Haŋbdéčheyapi [aw-bDAY-chay-yaw-pee]