Bdote “Where the Waters Meet”

Join us at Historic Fort Snelling's newly reopened visitor center and learn about the homeland of the Dakota people.

Native Americans have lived here for 10,000 years. The Dakota call this place Bdote, meaning “where the waters meet.” This refers to the confluence of the Wakpa Taƞka or Haha Wakpa (Mississippi River) and Mni Sota Wakpa (Minnesota River), the site of a Dakota creation story.

Learn about Bdote and the people that have called this place home for thousands of years.