What if I told you this serene lake has a history deeper than its 87 feet? This is Bde Maka Ska. It is the largest lake in Minneapolis. This beautiful lake is part of the city’s Chain of Lakes.
Bde Maka Ska is surrounded by park land. Trails circle the lake offering paths for bikers and walkers. It is a popular spot for outdoor activities.
But there is more than recreation here. The lake’s name has a powerful story. Dakota people originally called the lake Mde Maka Ska. This means Lake White Earth or Lake White Bank. The Ioway people likely gave it that name. They lived here until the 16th century. Settlers later called it Lake Medoza or Loon Lake.
In 1817, John C. Calhoun sent the Army to survey the area. Calhoun authorized the construction of Fort Snelling. It was one of the earliest American settlements. The surveyors named the lake Lake Calhoun. This was in honor of John C. Calhoun.
Calhoun’s support of slavery led to controversy. People questioned honoring someone with that legacy. In 2011, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board looked into the issue. They determined they couldn’t legally change the name.
Following a tragic event in Charleston in 2015, the issue resurfaced. A petition called for renaming the lake. In 2017, the Minneapolis Park Board voted to change the name back to Bde Maka Ska. The Hennepin County commissioners agreed.
In January 2018, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources made it official. Bde Maka Ska became the official name in Minnesota. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names approved the change in June 2018. Today park signs around the lake read Bde Maka Ska.
Bde Maka Ska is more than just a name. It recognizes the history of the Dakota people. It acknowledges a past often overlooked.
Bde Maka Ska has three beaches. These beaches are North Beach, 32nd Beach, and Thomas Beach. Enjoy swimming, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing. The park around Bde Maka Ska offers parking. It offers picnicking, volleyball and athletic fields.
From 1829 to 1839, this area was home to a Dakota village. It was called Heyate Otunwe. Samuel and Gideon Pond built a mission station here. They created the first alphabet for the Dakota language.
The lake is home to various fish species. These include black crappie, bluegill and northern pike. There are some restrictions on fish consumption. This is due to mercury and other contamination. Zebra mussels, an invasive species, were found in the lake in 2018.
So, as you enjoy the beauty of Bde Maka Ska. Remember its story. It is a story of history, culture and change. It is a reminder that names matter.