- Dakota leaders in Minnesota expressed disappointment that treasure hunting medals were hidden in the Bruce Bent Nature Preserve.
- During the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt, hosted annually by the St. Paul Pioneer Press, hunters found medallions in the sanctuary.
- The sanctuary is a place of prayer and is considered a final resting place.
Dakota leaders in Minnesota said they were disappointed that the treasure hunter’s medallion was hidden in a sanctuary they consider sacred.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press hosts the annual Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt.
This year, hunters found the medallion on Saturday at Bruce Vento Sanctuary in St. Paul.
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Although the area is designated as a park, a nonprofit organization is partnering with the city to recognize the area as a sacred space.
The St. Paul skyline seen from Interstate 94 west in Minnesota on May 21, 2015. Dakota leaders said they were disappointed that the treasure hunter’s medallion was hidden in a sanctuary they consider sacred to St. Paul. (Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Sherry Buck, former chair of the Prairie Island Tribal Council and current vice chair of the Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi Board of Directors, said hiding the medallion at the sacred site meant “to us this is a place of prayer. “It’s very unfortunate because it’s his final resting place.” For our people. ”
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Lori Swanson, a marketing consultant who directs the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt, said the preserve will be off-limits to future hunts.
“We respect history, culture and everyone who cares about it, and we take concerns about the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt seriously,” she said.
