Turtle Oracle Mound
Off County Road 35, 20 Miles Northwest of Deer River
A Rare Sacred Earthwork
The turtle was probably constructed by the Dakota (Sioux) sometime in the early 1700s.
It was first referred to in writing by John Baptiste Perrault, a fur trader. He noted that the people consulted the turtle as an oracle and that its head faced toward the enemy’s country.
The enemy were the Ojibwe. When they took over the site, they continued to hold it sacred but moved the head of the turtle to face southwest, toward where the Dakota had gone.
The mound lies on the portage between Little Cutfoot Sioux and Bowstring Lakes. It is classified as an intaglio effigy because it is sunken rather than raised—an example of a rare form of mound building.
Located Along an Ancient Portage
The mound occupies a portage route between Little Cutfoot Sioux Lake and Bowstring Lake, placing it along an important connection between two bodies of water.
Between Two Lakes
Little Cutfoot Sioux Lake
One end of the portage on which the Turtle Oracle Mound is located.
Bowstring Lake
The second body of water connected by the portage route.
Construction, Record, and Continuity
The mound’s history includes its probable Dakota construction, Perrault’s written account, and continued sacred importance to the Ojibwe.
Dakota Construction
The turtle effigy was probably created by the Dakota sometime in the early 1700s.
Perrault’s Account
Fur trader John Baptiste Perrault provided the first known written reference to the turtle and its use as an oracle.
Ojibwe Stewardship
After taking control of the site, the Ojibwe continued to hold the turtle mound sacred.
The Perrault Account
First written reference
“…the Indians consulted the turtle as an oracle (and that) the head was towards the enemy’s country…” John Baptiste Perrault, fur trader
Continued Sacred Importance
When the Ojibwe took control of the site, they continued to hold the turtle sacred. They changed its orientation by moving the head to face southwest, toward the region where the Dakota had gone.
The Turtle’s Orientation
Toward the Enemy’s Country
Perrault recorded that the turtle’s head originally faced toward the country of the Ojibwe.
Facing Southwest
The Ojibwe moved the turtle’s head to face southwest, toward where the Dakota had gone.
What Is an Intaglio Effigy?
The Turtle Oracle Mound is unusual because its form is created below the surrounding ground surface.
Sunken Form
An intaglio effigy is defined by an image or form that is sunken into the ground rather than built upward.
Raised Form
Many other types of mounds are formed by building earth above the surrounding ground level, making this sunken turtle a rare example.
A Rare and Sacred Place
The Turtle Oracle Mound preserves a rare form of earthwork and a history connected to both Dakota and Ojibwe people. Its portage location, sacred associations, and unusual intaglio construction distinguish it within the historical landscape of Itasca County.
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