For centuries, Dakota people have considered the area of the island to be a sacred place where they moved with the seasons to find food and resources. The island is named after Zebulon Pike, who negotiated the United States government purchase of the area from Mdewakanton Sioux Indians in 1805.
The Dakota people have long held this island sacred, a place where they moved seasonally to hunt and gather resources. In 1805, Zebulon Pike facilitated the U.S. government's acquisition of the area from Mdewakanton Sioux Indians, naming the island after him.