Whence “Good Earth State Park”?
I asked Tony Venhuizen, a spokesman for Gov. Dennis Daugaard, where they came up with “Good Earth” to name the proposed state park at Blood Run Nature Area near Sioux Falls. He replied, via email:
As you know the site is of great cultural significance to several tribes. They expressed concern with the Blood Run name, which they felt evoked violence when in fact this site was a place for peaceful gathering.
The Governor asked Tribal Relations Secretary J.R. LaPlante to consult with the tribes, both in SD and to the south, on alternative names. “Good Earth” was a recommendation from that consultation.
