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Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate

Nestled amidst the rolling hills of northeastern South Dakota lies the home of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, consisting of the Sisseton (people of the fish village/ peninsula) adn the Wahpeton (people among the leaves/leaf shooters). Lush, gently sloping prairies circle the tribal headquarters at Agency Village. Every hill and valley is a testament to the glaciers that once covered this land.

Agency Village is home to the Sisseton-Wahpeton College. The distinctive Song to the Great Spirit building honors the traditions and past of the Dakota people while also functioning as an academic building.

To view the area's characteristic prairie hills, visit the Nicollet Tower and Interpretive Center west of Sisseton. The 75-foot tower, named for mapmaker Joseph Nicollet, offers a tri-state view. In 1839, Nicollet, a Frenchman, was befriended by Sisseton-Wahpeton people who helped him navigate the area for his maps. A video entitled "Dakota Encounter" relates the story of the interaction between Nicollet and the Native Americans in the area. It is shown at the tower's Interpretive Center. The tower also houses an enlarged replica of the map created by Nicollet with the help of this native friends.

Darlene Renville Pipeboy at the top of Nicollet Tower

Mystery lurks within the area's hills and valleys. When the Dakota settled in northeastern South Dakota, they encountered a wooded area or hollow filled with unusual occurrences. Phenomena such as glowing tree stumps, moaning sounds and a stream that ran red, led the Dakota to call this enchanted hollow "sica," which means "bad." Today, Sica Hollow is a state park known for it s hiking and horseback riding trails. Each fall, the hollow draws visitors who come to see an incredible display of autumn colors.

Tales of glowing tree stumps and a stream that runs red add to the mystique of Sica Hollow.

For more information: Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, PO Box 509, Agency Village, SD 57262-0509. (605) 698-4972. Fax: (605) 698-3708.