In front of the site where the Wahpetonwan Dakota Village used to be, overlooking part of Little Red River Park. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Indigenous History

History of the Wahpeton Dakota people in P.A.’s Little Red River Park

Jun 16, 2023 | 4:14 PM

Have you ever wondered how Little Red River Park in Prince Albert got its name?

In recognition of National Indigenous History Month, paNOW joined historian Leo Omani on a tour of the area which used to be the home of the Wahpeton Dakota people.

He shared a story of a battle between his people and the Gros Ventre on the plateau which currently overlooks the Cosmo Lodge.

“There was a lot of blood spilled on both sides and because of that our ancestors named the river (currently known as Spruce River) Wakpa Sa Ci’stin’na which means Little Red River.”

The spot where the battle took place was in front of the Wahpetonwan Dakota Village which continued to provide refuge for members until the early 1900’s. The last to lead the village was Hupa Yakta who was the son of Chief Flying Thunder who some may recognize as the one who received a treaty medal from King George III for the work his people did during the War of 1812.

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Spot in Little Red River Park where the Wahpetonwan Dakota Village used to be situated. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

Located east of the village is the Ancient Wahpetonwan Dakota Burial Ground. While this site has only really been talked about over the last couple of years, members of the Wahpeton Dakota Nation have always known about it.

Omani said this was because they didn’t want people desecrating the graves.

“(In the early 1900’s) anthropologists and archeologists would be going out to our ancient campsites to dig for bones and ancient artifacts.”

He explained they did this as many thought that Indigenous people were about to become extinct, and they wanted to document them.

One last site that Omani highlighted actually wasn’t in Little Red River Park, but instead right next to it. There’s an island in the middle of the North Saskatchewan River that his people commonly used for births.

Map of the old birthing island next to Little Red River Park. (Google Maps)

“We used the birthing island to keep our women, who were ready to give birth, safe,” said Omani. “Relatives and warriors would guard the island.”

They were protecting the women and babies from any enemies who might have been in the area.

Leo Omani pointing at the old birthing island. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

Omani added the Wahpeton Dakota people continue to be told stories about the island. One of them focuses on one mother who died, along with her baby, while she was giving birth. The village decided right then and there that they didn’t want them, and the work done to protect everyone on the island to be forgotten.

Meanwhile, four signs will soon be erected next to the Cosmo Lodge.

They will share more information about the history of Little Red River Park’s name, the Wahpetonwan Dakota Village, the Ancient Wahpetonwan Dakota Burial Ground, and the birthing island.

There’s no exact timeline on when they’ll be put up, however, Omani said they’ve been created and that leadership of the Wahpeton Dakota Nation and the City of P.A. are just working out the final details.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow