PIPESTONE, MN (KELO.com) — The Pipestone National Monument says it will stop selling pipes following decades of tribal complaints that the sales desecrate sacred grounds.
Pipes are used for prayer in Native American cultures.The pipestone that these are made out of is considered sacred.
Faith Spotted Eagle of the Yankton Sioux Tribe calls the pipestone from which the pipes are carved “the blood of our people.”
His pipes have been made available at the visitor center through the cultural demonstration program, which employs Native American carvers and craftspeople.But soon, you won’t be able to find his pipes at the visitor center.The decision comes after many years of consultation with 23 tribes that are traditionally associated with the monument because of their historic use of the quarries.
Native Americans will continue to demonstrate pipestone carving for visitors and the monument’s store will open a location downtown where pipes can be sold.
