Flee Island Dakota Entrenchment

Flee Island Dakota Entrenchment is one of three 'cunkaské', a rare Manitoba example of a traditional First Nations fortified encampment. The intermittent earthen embankments served as a defensible position that protected an enclosed area against attacks from American bounty hunters in 1862. The numerous deep, circular and linear pits within the enclosure are the remnants of protective trenches that served as defensive positions for the armed Dakota defenders. Historic accounts about this locale suggest that Flee Island was the last battle site of the conflict between the Dakota Sioux and the Americans. The site continues to be culturally significant for First Nations groups, as is demonstrated by the coloured cloth ribbons that are tied to the trees in the small grove of aspens; the colours (white, red, green and black) represent the four directions in First Nations lore.