Historic Day at Fort Snelling: Sioux Half-Breed Lineal Descendants File Landmark Lawsuit for Lake Pepin Reservation

St. Paul, MN – October 13, 2025 – On a significant Indigenous Peoples Day, the Sioux half-breed lineal descendants gathered at Historic Fort Snelling to announce a monumental federal lawsuit against the United States. The press conference, held at 10 a.m., drew journalists and members of the public eager to learn about the legal challenge concerning the Lake Pepin Reservation.

Speakers included eloquent representatives of the Sioux half-breed lineal descendants, who shared their personal connections to the land and the historical injustices they seek to rectify. They were joined by their attorney, Erick Kaardal, who outlined the legal basis of the lawsuit.

The federal court complaint, filed contemporaneously with the press conference, focuses on the Sioux half-breed lineal descendants’ claim to the Lake Pepin Reservation. This substantial area in Southeastern Minnesota, along the Mississippi River and the Wisconsin border, encompasses the city of Wabasha, Minnesota, and spans approximately 500 square miles.

Attorney Erick Kaardal emphasized the profound significance of choosing Indigenous Peoples Day for this pivotal legal action. "Indigenous Peoples Day is the perfect day for the Sioux half-breed lineal descendants to sue the United States for the 500 square mile Lake Pepin Reservation and damages," Kaardal stated.

He continued, highlighting the dual purpose of the holiday: "To be sure, Indigenous Peoples' Day is celebrated to recognize, honor, and celebrate the rich cultures, contributions, and resilience of Indigenous peoples in the Americas, acknowledging their thousands of years of existence on the land before European colonization. But, the holiday also serves to highlight the historical injustices and ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous communities." Kaardal concluded, "This Sioux half-breed lineal descendants’ federal lawsuit against the United States seeks to correct historical injustices and to aid the Sioux half-breed lineal descendants in their ongoing struggles. At the same time, the Sioux half-breed lineal descendants challenge the traditional, colonial narrative that glorifies Minnesota’s first two Governors Henry Sibley and Alexander Ramsey."

"Today marks not an end, but a profound new beginning," declared a representative of the Sioux half-breed lineal descendants. "For generations, the stories of our ancestors, their ties to the Lake Pepin lands, and the broken promises have lived within us. Today, on Indigenous Peoples Day, we bring these truths into the light of justice. This lawsuit is more than a legal battle for land and damages; it is a reaffirmation of our identity, our history, and our inherent right to what was unjustly taken. We stand here, not just for ourselves, but for all who have suffered historical injustices, seeking to correct the narratives and to build a future where treaties are honored and Indigenous sovereignty is respected. This is a call for accountability, for recognition, and for a rightful return to the heart of our ancestral homelands. We invite all to witness this journey towards justice."

As a note, Press conference photos may be used for future press/articles