Artist Talk and Book Signing

April 23, 2022 | 1-3pm
Main Lobby | Hoċokata Ṫi
Co-hosted by the Minnesota Historical Society

Upper Sioux Indian Community Members Teresa Peterson and Walter “Super” LaBatte Jr., co-authors of Voices from Pejuhutazizi: Dakota Stories and Storytellers, will share stories from their book and talk about the importance of family and community storytelling. Afterwards, the authors will be available for questions and book signings—copies of the book will be available for purchase in the Hoċokata Ṫi Gift Shop.

About the book Voices from Pejuhutazizi Dakota Stories and Storytellers by Teresa Peterson and Walter LaBatte Jr.

A rich trove of stories from Pejuhutazizi K’api, the place where they dig the yellow medicine—now also known as the Upper Sioux Indian Community in Minnesota.
Through five generations at Pejuhutazizi (the place where they dig the yellow medicine), Teresa Peterson’s family members have listened to and told stories: stories of events, migrations, and relationships in Dakota history, and stories that carry Dakota culture through tales, legends, and myths.

In the 1910s, Waŋbdiṡka (Fred Pearsall) made notes on stories he heard from Dakota elders, including his mother-in-law, at the Upper Sioux Community in Mni Sota Makoce—Minnesota. In the 1950s, when he wrote them down in a letter to his daughters, his young grandson Waṡicuŋhdinażiŋ (Walter “Super” LaBatte Jr.) was already listening and learning from his family’s elders and other members of the community. And then that grandson grew up to become a storyteller.

Teresa Peterson, the great-granddaughter of Fred and the niece of Super, has her own story of finding identity to tell. In this book, she has worked with her uncle to present their family’s precious collection. These stories bring people together, impart values and traditions, deliver heroes, reconcile, reveal place, and entertain. Finally, as they bring delight to listeners, they provide belonging and nurture humanity.

About the authors

Teresa Peterson is an educator, tribal planner, and writer. She is Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota and a member of the Upper Sioux Community.

Walter (Super) LaBatte Jr. is an artist who tans hides, makes drums, beads moccasins, and prepares paṡdayapi. He is Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota and a member of the Upper Sioux Community.