Prayer Camp Established at Former Internment Site Near Minneapolis ICE Detention Center

Fort Snelling, Minnesota – Native activists have established a prayer camp near the site of a former U.S. Internment camp for Dakota and Ho-Chunk people, in proximity to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, a major processing center for immigration enforcement [1].

Historical Context: A Site of Past and Present Injustice

The location holds a complex history, having served as a concentration camp during the Dakota Indian Wars of the mid-1800s, where thousands of Dakota and Ho-Chunk individuals were imprisoned in harsh conditions [1]. The site is also known as Bdóte, considered a creation site by the Dakota people, located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers [1]. In 1862, following the Dakota War, 38 Dakota men were executed in the largest mass execution in U.S. History [1].

Prayer Camp and Current Activism

The prayer camp was initiated by Migizi Spears, a Red Lake Nation citizen and organizer for First Nations United, along with Dakota, Nakota, and other tribal citizens [1]. Four teepees have been erected at the site, and the camp has expanded to include yurts, firewood, and food supplies [1]. The activists aim to reclaim land lost by their ancestors and draw attention to the ongoing detention of immigrants and Indigenous people at the Whipple building [1]. The camp’s establishment was inspired by recent Indigenous-led protests outside the Whipple building and at a Fort Snelling park [2].

Echoes of History and Calls for Accountability

Activists emphasize the parallels between the historical injustices inflicted upon Native Americans and the current immigration detention practices [1]. Brian LaBatte, descended from the Shakopee Mdewakanton, stated that the government is “stealing families, stealing kids,” echoing past traumas [2]. The camp organizers intend to remain at the site to raise awareness and advocate for government accountability [3].

Current Status and Future Plans

Despite a potential reduction in federal immigration agents in the Minneapolis area, the prayer camp will continue its presence [1]. Organizers express a commitment to diplomacy and non-hostility even as advocating for the rights of Native people and immigrants [1]. The camp has garnered attention from media outlets, including CBS News Minnesota, Unicorn Riot, and social media influencers [1].