Black and white photo of a man and woman carving stone pieces outside with text underneath.

Wicouŋ Yuwicakapi (wee-CHOH-oon yoo-WEE-chaw-kaw-pee) is Dakota for 'cultural demonstrator.' Thank you to Dakota Language Educator Wambdi Wapaha for his translation. Since the early 20th century, many Native American artisans, such as Harvey and Ethel Derby (pictured), have worked as a wicouŋ yuwicakapi at this site. They've educated visitors from all over the world about the hard work and meaning involved in quarrying and carving pipestone while passing on their skills to new craftspeople. They are at the heart of Pipestone National Monument and we can't thank them enough for the hard work that they do!

• Keywords: Dakota; Indigenous Languages; american indian culture; native american heritage; Minnesota; MidwestNPS; midwest; demonstrator; culture