Arrow River Standing Stone Site
Hamiota, Manitoba, R0J, Canada
Formally Recognized:
1962/02/08
Other Name(s)
Arrow River Standing Stone Burial Ground
Arrow River Standing Stone Site
Cimetière de la pierre dressée de la rivière Arrow
Links and documents
Construction Date(s)
Listed on the Canadian Register:
2007/05/03
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The Arrow River Standing Stone Site consists of a tall pointed stone monolith sitting vertically amongst prairie grasses on the southwestern side of the highest hill overlooking the Arrow River near Hamiota. The site is surrounded by cultivated farmland. The provincial designation of the site applies to the stone monolith and the one-acre parcel of land on which it stands.
Heritage Value
The Arrow River Standing Stone Site is the only known First Nations gravesite in Manitoba marked with a stone monolith. Although the remains of 'Ia-char-ke', the respected Dakota elder buried at the site, have been removed for protection, the site's location atop a high hill demonstrates a typical traditional place of burial for the Dakota (Sioux) of Manitoba. The area surrounding the site on which the stone sits possesses great integrity, as it is free of major disturbances. The Arrow River Standing Stone Site also has significance, representing the coexistence of First Nations peoples and homesteaders of the late nineteenth century. When the area now known as the Standing Stone Site became part of Arthur Bird's homestead in 1896, the descendents of 'Ia-char-ke' continued to visit their sacred site annually to perform ritual ceremonies. The importance of preserving this site associated with Dakota culture was recognized by Dr. R.D. Bird (Arthur Bird's son) leading to the Arrow River Standing Stone becoming one of the first provincially designated heritages sites in Manitoba in 1962.
Source: Historic Sites Advisory Board Meeting, February 8, 1962
Character-Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of the Arrow River Standing Stone Site include:
- the pointed granite stone in its material form and location
- the vertical positioning of the stone, approximately 1.5 metres tall and 0.5 metres wide
- the hill on which the stone sits overlooking the Arrow River from the northeast
- the relative remoteness and openness of the undeveloped landscape on which the stone sits
Key elements that define the character of the site as used by Dakota (Sioux) peoples include:
- archeological remnants of the associated people including artifacts contained within the designated boundaries as well as scattered artifacts in adjacent areas
Recognition
Jurisdiction
Manitoba
Recognition Authority
Province of Manitoba
Recognition Statute
Manitoba Historic Resources Act
Recognition Type
Provincial Heritage Site
Recognition Date
1962/02/08
Historical Information
Significant Date(s)
n/a
Theme - Category and Type
- Peopling the Land
- Canada's Earliest Inhabitants
Function - Category and Type
Current
- Religion, Ritual and Funeral
- Aboriginal Sacred Site
Historic
- Religion, Ritual and Funeral
- Religious Facility or Place of Worship
- Religion, Ritual and Funeral
- Mortuary Site, Cemetery or Enclosure
- Religion, Ritual and Funeral
- Aboriginal Ritual Site
Architect / Designer
n/a
Builder
n/a
Additional Information
Location of Supporting Documentation
Main Floor, 213 Notre Dame Avenue Winnipeg MB R3B 1N3
Cross-Reference to Collection
Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier
P005
Status
Published
Related Places
n/a