Wenonah: Our Name and Responsibility
Our town’s name and our University’s name is Winona. This name was appropriated from the Dakota Language. The Dakota word is “Wenonah” and it’s meaning is first daughter. The first daughter’s responsibility is to care for her community, make sure they are protected, well fed, cared for, and l living in a good way. If this role were not fulfilled, the name would be taken away and given to someone else who would. This name is a title and holds responsibility. This community and University has assumed that name and ought to uphold its meaning. This can be done on Winona State University’s part by simply acting on its commitment to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural and economic vitality of the people and communities it serves. This commitment can be realized with the of reframing the End of the Trail sculpture with the implementation of an indigenous learning garden.