Good morning my DU family,
For all the beautiful people in Minnesota, who have suffered so many indignities at the hands of ICE in the last several weeks, this is for you.
According to Brule Sioux legend, the Pipestone Quarry is one of the most sacred places anywhere.
Eons ago, Unktehi, the Water Monster made war with the people, causing a great flood. They suspect the Great Spirit Wakan may have been upset with people, or wanted to make a better human being, so he let all the people die in this flood that covered all of earth.
The very last survivors gathered at the highest hill in the land, which was to become the Pipestone Quarry.
The Pipestone Quarry was formed as the blood of all the last victims of that flood pooled, jelled and became Pipestone with that very special red color.
Special rules allow to this day, Native Americans from many tribes to hand mine the Pipestone, which once they break through the incredibly hard quartzite, which runs four to ten feet thick, which then uncovers 10-18 inches of the soft Pipestone.
The legend continues that the Water Monster, Unktehi was turned to stone, possibly by Grandfather Spirit Tunkashila, as punishment for killing all but one human.
The bones of Unktehi are scattered in the Badlands, and her spine makes a ridge of red and yellow vertebrae that are visible to the naked eye.
The reason Pipestone is so sought after for these pipes is because many Native tribes believe that the Pipe Bowl represents the flesh and blood of their ancestors, the stem represents the bones of those long dead, and the smoke from the pipe is their breath.
There is more to the history of the one girl that survived and became the wife of an Eagle, giving rise to the Eagle feathers cultural significance for that tribe.
Until I read this story in American Indian Myths and Legends, (page 93,94) I had no idea of the sacred place that the Pipestone Quarry is.
Another wonderful spiritual place to celebrate being.
Please give us a day filled with opportunities to feel reverence, appreciation and respect for so much history that helped us find our way to today.
Have a wonderful day filled with peace and serenity.
Love, John 
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