SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE

SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE. On 8 March 1857, a small band of Wahpekute Dakota warriors led by Inkpaduta (Scarlet Point) began attacking white settlements on the Okoboji lakes in northwestern Iowa. The winter of 1856–1857 was unusually severe and both white settlers and Dakota people alike suffered from hunger. While this might have contributed to increased tensions between the two groups, Inkpaduta's attacks were motivated by a desire for retaliation for the previous crimes of murder and rape perpetrated by whites against his own family members in addition to a desire to resist the invasion of his homeland by white foreigners. In all, thirty-two men, women, and children were killed and four women were taken captive. Two of the captives were killed and the other two were eventually released weeks later through mediation and ransoming. Though only one death occurred at Spirit Lake, this event became known as the Spirit Lake Massacre.

In an attempt to capture Inkpaduta, on 9 May 1857, Commissioner of Indian Affairs James Denver issued instructions for Dakota annuities to be withheld until Inkpaduta and his men were delivered to white authorities for punishment. This order violated U.S. treaty obligations to the Dakotas, leading to increased hostilities against whites and nearly causing an immediate war. The tactic proved unsuccessful and, though Inkpaduta was never betrayed by his fellow Dakotas and delivered to white authorities, annuities were finally paid in September 1857. Inkpaduta continued his fierce resistance to white invasion and later participated in the Battle of Little Bighorn. Today he remains a symbol of resistance and freedom to Dakota people.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Folwell, William Watts. A History of Minnesota, Volume II. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 1961.

Seaboy, David. Oral historical account provided during discussion at "The Dakota–U.S. War of 1862: The Seventh Generation" Conference, Southwest State University, Marshall, Minnesota, 4 April 2002.

Teakle, Thomas. The Spirit Lake Massacre. Iowa City: State Historical Society of Iowa, 1918.

Angela CavenderWilson

See alsoSioux .