Princess Winona
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Princess Winona is the central figure of supposed Native American (Mdewakanton Dakota) origin in the "Lover's Leap" legend concerning Maiden Rock on the Wisconsin side of Lake Pepin (a widening in the Upper Mississippi River). There are several variations of the story. Her father is sometimes said to be Chief Red Wing of what is now Red Wing Minnesota or Chief Wabasha (Wapasha) of a village identified as Keoxa, now known as Winona, Minnesota. Rather than marry a suitor she does not love, she chooses to leap from the cliff of Maiden Rock to her death. Who the suitor is depends on the version of the tale. In the traditional Dakota language, "Winona" is not a personal name but a general term for a first-born child of any class distinction who happens to be female. Today "Winona" is common as a personal and place name throughout the United States.
The concept of the central figure as a "princess" is in keeping with a stereotype about Native American "princesses." In fact, the Sioux do not have an equivilent title for "princess" in any the major dialects.
Winona, Minnesota is associated with the legend because it was formerly the site of Keoxa. Since Minnesota was settled by whites the character of "Princess Winona" has been featured in Watkins Incorporated advertising, a prominent statue (currently located by Huff St. between 5th and 6th Streets after being located in other city parks), stained glass depiction, and elsewhere.
While the Upper Mississippi version of the legend is the most prominent, there are sites with variations on this legend. Mark Twain in Life on the Mississippi writes: "There are fifty Lover's Leaps along the Mississippi from whose summit disappointed Indian girls have jumped." Other locations with the legend also include Winona Falls in Pennsylvania, Camden County, Missouri and Cameron Park in Waco, Texas.
[edit] The legend of Princess Winona and Maiden Rock in literature
- The journals of Zebulon Pike (1805) contain a brief mention of the legend; the earliest instance of it being recorded and mentioned.
- "Dahcotah, or, Life and Legends of the Sioux Around Fort Snelling" (1849) by Mary Eastman (chapter "The Maiden's Rock, or, Wenona's Leap")
- Legends of the Northwest by Hanford Lennox Gordon (1826-1920) contains a lengthy poetic version of this story, entitled "Winona, a Legend of the Dakotas"
- Mark Twain describes a version of the legend in Life on the Mississippi
- Emilio DeGrazia, a professor of Winona State University, and a published author, wrote a short play about her life entitled "Winona: A Romantic Tragedy". This play has been performed on stage, and is also published in book form.
