Hundreds of people spelled out the distress signal "SOS" on Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis on Friday, Jan. 30.

[riversedge]

I used to live a block from Lake Bde Maka Ska--In my day, it was named Lake Calhoun.

They’re taking kids from Minnesota and sending them to detention camps. They’re shooting American citizens in the street and locking investigators out of the crime scenes. The world is watching what happens next.

— Governor Tim Walz (@governorwalz.mn.gov) 2026-01-31T22:19:35.661Z

[hlthe2b]

1. How is that lake's name pronounced?

[sheshe2]

2. The Dakota name translates to "White Earth Lake".

Here is how you pronounce the name:

[hlthe2b]

3. Thank you...

I'm glad they renamed it to reflect its origins.

[sheshe2]

4. I am too, hlthe2b.

[SunSeeker]

8. So it's pronounced like bidet macaw ska. I don't get why they didn't put more vowels in Bde.

Bde is pretty impossible to know how to pronounce unless you already know the name. Seems to be doing the name a disservice to use that spelling. "Bihday Makah Skah" would be more true to the pronunciation.

[mysteryowl]

11. It's Native American

[SunSeeker]

12. I know, but that is the English/Latin alphabet.

If they are going with a non-Native alphabet to create a written language, at least let it accurately reflect the native language, phonetically.

The Dakota people used a system of pictographs and symbols. Missionaries developed this written form using Latin letters.

[mysteryowl]

7. Native American's & residents reclaimed the name of the lake, it was a big deal process in 2011.

The lake used to be called, Lake Calhoun, which was a horrible person. John Calhoun was a slave owner, racist, and advocate for slavery.

[SunSeeker]

9. Wow, I'm glad they changed the name! nt

[OldBoss]

5. I'm smiling but ...

I’m smiling but my keyboard is wet 😢

[struggle4progress]

6. ...

[Martin68]

10. True solidarity.

[Cha]

13. 💔☮️🌺🌻🕯️🕊️💜Minnesota Strong & Beautiful!

SOS

Mahalo, rivers.

[littlemissmartypants]

14. 💧💙