Trustee Emeritus Award for Excellence in the Stewardship of Historic Sites

The Minnesota Historical Society thanks the members of the Dakota Community and the staff and volunteers of the Jeffers Petroglyphs for their award winning efforts toward the stewardship of Jeffers Petroglyphs.

On September 30, 2004, the National Trust for Historic Preservation presented its prestigious Trustee Emeritus Award for Excellence in the Stewardship of Historic Sites for the Minnesota Historical Society’s work on the preservation and interpretation of one of Minnesota’s preeminent sacred places.

Since the completion of the new visitor center in 1998, members of the American Indian Community have worked with the staff at Jeffers Petroglyphs. The Minnesota Historical Society offers a special thank you to Joe Williams of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and Tom Ross of the Upper Sioux Community for the guidance given the Jeffers Petroglyphs staff towards understanding the site’s historical and spiritual significance.

We also thank those who nominated the site for the award. In his nomination, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Elder Joe Williams wrote, “Jeffers Petroglyphs is nominated because of its excellent preservation and heritage educational programs. These activities preserve an American Indian sacred site and teaches the public in a meaningful manner about America’s Native Culture.” He also stated, “Jeffers Petroglyphs is a model for sacred site management.” In her support for the nomination, Upper Sioux Community, Chairperson, Helen Blue-Redner wrote,” The Upper Sioux Community and its tribal government have had a long satisfying relationship with Jeffers Petroglyphs. We are pleased to comment on the success of the management and preservation of the site as well as the sensitivity demonstrated in the interpretation of the petroglyphs and the presentation of educational programs for the public.”