Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Community

Preserving, Protecting and Promoting the Dakota Culture for Future Generations

The MMDTC is a Tribal 501C3 Org

Independence Day Full Moon Walk at Sacred Coldwater Springs Saturday, July 4, 2020

Independence Day Full Moon Walk at Sacred Coldwater Springs

Saturday, July 4, 2020

Gather at the park entrance, 7pm

Park at pay meters on the access road via credit card/quarters

 

Yes—the Full Moon is on Saturday in Minnesota and everywhere in the US except the East Coast which is an hour ahead of us time-wise. The covid safety precaution is closing fireworks so bring a folding chair and a snack for yourself and we can set up in the parking lot, drink Coldwater water and enjoy each other in a sacred site.

 

Native Americans have been in this area for 9,000 years according to former Minnesota archaeologist Dr. Robert Clouse who found an ancient bison spear point in Mendota in 1996 at the Sibley House dig. Our state is named for water, mni in Dakota.

 

If you happen to be at Coldwater when a Native person is collecting water in a traditional way, with song and burning sage, perhaps you could stand quietly, back off a few steps, remove any head covering, and just observe with respect.

 

Coldwater is an acknowledged Dakota Tribal Sacred Site. The spring has been flowing more than 10,000 years. The United States of America celebrates its 244th birthday this year. Huh!—perspective.

 

Friends of Coldwater seek to honor this landscape ancestor. Full moon walks have been celebrated at Coldwater Springs monthly since 2000. We return to remember the spirits that feed this Spring. Please bring a rattle.

 

Sunset 9:02 pm   (6 minutes later than the previous full moon)

Moonrise 8:59 pm   (7 minutes earlier than last month’s full moon)

Exact minute of full moon 11:44 pm Central Standard Time but in New York that’s tomorrow.

 

The year in daylight on full moon days:

July 16, 2019   15 hours, 13 minutes daylight, 22 minute daylight loss

August 15th  14 hours, 13 minutes, 1 hour daylight loss

September 13th  12 hours, 33 minutes, 1 hour, 50 minute daylight loss

NOTE: Wednesday, 9/25 we experience 12 hours of daylight & nighttime here.

October 13th  11 hours, 6 minutes, 1 hour, 27 minute daylight loss

November 12th   9 hours, 40 minutes, 1 hour, 26 minute daylight loss

December 11th   8 hours, 52 minutes, 28 minute daylight loss

January 10, 2020   9 hours, 1 minute, 9 minute daylight gain

February 9th  10 hours, 9 minute daylight gain

March 9th   11 hours, 33 minute, 1 hour, 24 minute daylight gain

April 7th   13 hours, 7 minute, 53 minute daylight gain

May 7th   14 hours, 31 minute daylight gain

June 5th  15 hours, 27 minute; 56 minute daylight gain

July 4th   15 hours, 30 minute; 4 minute daylight gain

 

DIRECTIONS: Coldwater Springs is between Minnehaha Park & Fort Snelling, in Minneapolis, just North of the Hwy 55/62 interchange. From Hwy 55/Hiawatha, turn East (toward the Mississippi) at 54th Street, take an immediate right, & drive all the way down on the frontage road where you can park at the pay meters.

Gather at the park entrance.

 

All welcome. Dress for the weather, especially sturdy footwear. We celebrate the full moon in all-weather however the length of the walk depends on conditions. If it’s really cold or wet it’s a quick 10-minutes to the spring outflow gurgling from under the limestone bedrock Spring House built in the 1880s to supply potable water to Fort Snelling.

This gathering is free and open to the public.

#FullMoonWalk #FullMoon #ColdwaterSprings #MinneapolisNature

Contact Us

Friends of Coldwater Website