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ART HUGHES: The marshy land along the Minnesota River north of Saint Peter, overgrown with grasses and thick with broad cottonwoods, is one of Minnesota's most historic places. The site was used throughout history as a natural crossing point in the Minnesota River. This geographical asset made it an important outpost for 19th century fur traders and homesteaders. The men whose names now refer to cities and counties-- Sibley, Ramsey, and Nicollet-- are all closely tied to the Traverse des Sioux.

Now, the site is best known as the place where Dakota leaders signed away 24 million acres of their land to the US government. Traverse des Sioux Treaty of 1851 opened Minnesota and the Great Plains to European settlement. That is a difficult but important subject to commemorate, says Ed Wetherill, who for the past eight years has organized the weekend-long event that takes visitors back to that time.

ED WETHERILL: We recognize that there are many aspects of the treaty that, as one ethnic group versus another, they wouldn't necessarily have reason for pride in participating. But it did happen. And I can't change history. But if we can get an understanding of it and become aware of it, well, we can all learn from it.

ART HUGHES: The tension is about more than just political correctness. Many Dakota leaders who signed the document did so out of coercion or even force. It's an accepted fact that the US government did not uphold its end of the 1851 treaty.

Government money for the land deal ended up in the pockets of unscrupulous businessmen and government agents. The Indians sank into poverty and starvation. Resentful Dakota members took arms against the settlers, touching off a bloody, ruthless conflict, seen as one of the darkest periods in Minnesota history.

ED WETHERILL: We're not saying it was right or wrong. We're just saying this treaty was here. And it was one of the most significant events that has happened to this area. We should not deny that. And we're not endorsing it. But we're not walking away from the fact that the event took place. I don't think that's-- all of us participating. I don't feel you should deny that event.

ART HUGHES: The annual commemoration has evolved to include the Native American perspective more and more. Among the re-enactors with buckskins, dusters, and black powder long rifles are Native Americans who perform and explain their sacred dances and chants. Descendants of notable Native American leaders are invited and honored.

But the event receives no official recognition from Southern Minnesota Indian leaders. The topic is sensitive among Native Americans as well. Several Dakota nation representatives declined to comment for this story. Wayne Allen, the director of the five-year-old treaty site historical center, says organizers try to be sensitive to a myriad of perspectives.

WAYNE ALLEN: I think for the past eight years, Ed has tried a monumental feat of trying to bring multiple people together from diverse ethnic groups and have everybody get along and come away from it feeling pretty good about it. I know that given the task at hand, it's a herculean feat to do it.

ART HUGHES: The treaty encampment was originally intended to last until the year 2001, the 150th anniversary of the treaty signing. But it may not last even that long under the weight of conflicting viewpoints of European Americans and Native Americans. Ed Wetherill, the only chairman of the organizing committee has ever had, says he's not sure he'll return next year.

Tensions over the encampment led one person on the board of the Nicollet County Historical Society to resign. And the State Historical Society, which owns the land, is considering improvements that would require the re-enactors find another site for their event. I'm Art Hughes, Minnesota Public Radio.