Pipestone National Monument - Minnesota

This National Monument is truly a sacred place and has been for close to 2000 years. The Sioux account as to the origin of the pipestone, as recorded by George Catlin in 1836 states that .... At an ancient time the Great Spirit, in the form of a large bird, stood upon the wall of rock and called all the tribes around him, and breaking out a piece of the red stone formed it into a pipe and smoked it, the smoke rolling over the whole multitude. He then told his red children that this red stone was their flesh, that they were made from it, that they must all smoke to him through it, that they must use it for nothing but pipes; and as it belonged alike to all tribes, the ground was sacred, and no weapons must be used or brought upon it.

In 1937 Congress established Pipestone National Monument to provide traditional quarrying for Indians. Today pipe carvings are appreciated as art-works as well as for ceremonial use. Once again, as commanded by the spirit bird in the Sioux story of it's creation, the pipestone here is quarried by an American Indian enrolled in a tribe recognized by the US Government. An age old tradition continues in the modern world, ever changing yet rooted in the past.

The unique and special stone is also referred to as Catlinite, named after George Catlin.

Be sure to enjoy the Circle Trail and take in beautiful Winnewissa falls and then explore the ancient quarries. The Native Americans who are tasked with quarrying the stone treat it with reverence and respect. Please do the same and not remove any pieces of the stone, nor intrude in the space assigned to each workman. The pipestone is still quarried by hand just as it has been for centuries.

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