For more than 150 years before the name "Minnesota" was officially
adopted by congress in 1852, the river was also known as the St. Pierre
or St. Peter River. It is commonly accepted that it was named to honor
Pierre C. Le Sueur. This is questionable since the river was so-named
prior to Le Sueur's famous copper mining expedition up the Blue Earth
in 1700. One early reference suggests the original name was sans
Pierre, without rock. This definition certainly fits the lower reaches,
which were explored first.
Much more discussion and debate has surrounded the meaning of the
word Minnesota. Sky-tinted (sota) water (minne) seems to be the most
widely accepted definition. This debate is understandable when placed
in the context of promoting the virtues of a young state, or even a
135-year-old one. For our purposes, however, it is much more important
to get to a greater truth. The specific meaning of the word is
ultimately unimportant. What is important is knowing that the erosion
problem in the Minnesota River is not man-made and was here before us.
Read the definitions given by those who were here before the pristine
landscape had been ravaged, and make up your own mind.
"Its waters are transparent, and present a light blue tint on
looking upon the stream. Hence the Indian name of Wate-paw-mene'-Sauta,
or Clear-water-river." (Henry R. Schoolcraft-1820) note: 12 years later
he referred to "that addled aspect of the water" termed sota.
"The river is called in the Dacota language Watapan Menesota, which
means 'the river of turbid water.'" (William H. Keating-1823) He adds,
"The name given to the St. Peter is derived from its turbid appearance,
which distinguishes it from the Mississippi, whose waters are very
clear at the confluence. It has been erroneously stated by some authors
to signify clear water."
"The Indian name of the St. Peter's is 'Minnay Sotor,' or 'Turbid
Water'; the water, in fact, looking as if whitish clay had been
dissolved in it." (George W. Featherstonhaugh-1834)
"Minisota, turbid water, water not clear in which objects cannot be discerned, not transparent." (Samuel W. Pond)
"Some would render it 'clear water,' though it rightly signifies slightly turbid or whitish water." (Rev. Thomas S. Williamson)
"Sky-tinted water--neither white nor blue, but the peculiar appearance of the sky on certain days." (Gideon H. Pond)
Joseph N. Nicollet suggested the term "bleared," Dr. Warren Upham
used "Somewhat clouded," and others hold resolutely to "clear," or even
"sky-blue" water.
"For our purpose, the correct definition of "Minnesota" is almost
meaningless. It is enough to know that, 160 years ago, the meaning,
like the river itself, was unclear. If St. Peter's River was
transparent, as the MPCA would now have us believe, no one would have
questioned Schoolcraft's first report, and there would have been no
debate.