It's the anniversary of the execution of 38 Dakota warriors in Mankato, a region where some of my father's family lived at the time of the 1862 U.S. Dakota War.
My romantic partner's great-grandfather, a Dakota man who spoke English, was acquitted twice by the military court that sent those warriors to the gallows. My next-door neighbor is descended from Taoyateduta (His Red People), known as Little Crow, who had led the Dakota but escaped in 1862, only to perish near Hutchinson, MN in July, 1863.
What is being shared today? The Associated Press reported that the annual Dakota 38 + 2 ride from Lower Brule, South Dakota, to Mankato, is cancelled in Virus cancels annual Dakota ride, but some headed to Mankato.
At the Mankato Free Press, Tim Krohn reported Saturday afternoon in Thirty riders make long trek to Mankato for Dakota Exile ceremony:
While the Dakota 38 +2 Memorial Ride was canceled, a group of 30 Dakota horseback riders spent 12 days making the trek from Nebraska to Mankato for a Saturday morning ceremony at Reconciliation Park.
About six participants at a time rode about eight miles and then switched with fresh riders and horses in a relay-style ride.
Marseille Allen, of Flint, Michigan, was one of the riders. "I usually do the Wounded Knee ride, but I did (the Dakota 38) ride the last two years and wanted to do this one," she said.
Jim Hallum, of Santee, Nebraska, was one of the organizers of what was called the Dakota Exile Ride. When the decision was made to cancel the traditional ride a few weeks ago, he knew an alternative prayer event needed to be done.
"We just wanted to do it. We had to. It was an unexpected ride."
On Dec. 26 of each year, Dakota horseback riders and runners usually gather at Reconciliation Park near the Blue Earth County Library to honor the 38 Dakota executed on the site that day in 1862, following the U.S.-Dakota War. They also remember two chiefs who were kidnapped from Canada three years later, brought back to the United States and then executed.
This year's larger event was called off because of the COVID-19 pandemic. . . .
Todd Finney, a Dakota from Medford who has ridden in many past memorial rides, didn't ride in this one but helped the riders during a grueling push through the recent blizzard.
He said the Dakota Exile ride is to remember the banishment of Dakota from Minnesota as well as to pray for all people who have been exiled for their religious beliefs or other reasons.
"All of us were exiled from Minnesota in 1862. By federal law we were kicked out of the state," he said.
Many Dakota were exiled to the Dakotas and Nebraska, including the Santee reservation.
Finney said the participants spent much time praying during the ride. "We pray often. It drives our prayers into the ground and then into the sky." . . .
Read the rest at the Mankato Free Press. Krohn's images are striking.
The Dakota 38 + 2 Memorial Ride Supporters Facebook Group 2020 (Virtual Ride) webpage includes photos from past rides and many prayers. Access additional content via the linked index at the bottom of the page.
For more on the later kidnapping in Canada and execution at Fort Snelling of Shakopee and Medicine Bottle, read Curt Brown's 2015 report for the Star Tribune, In 1865, two Dakota leaders meet a gruesome end.
A collection of tweets about the #Dakota38:
Peace to all who continue to honor the memories of the Dakota 38 +2 and resilience to all who continue to do the work for future generations.
— Peggy Flanagan (@peggyflanagan) December 26, 2020
Please read this important 🧵 from @Ruth_HHopkins. #Dakota38 https://t.co/xqXb5FYXje
Dakhóta Akíčhita wikčémna yámni sam šahdóǧaŋ kiŋ wičháweksuye.
— Ruth H. Hopkins, B.S., M.S., J.D. (@Ruth_HHopkins) December 26, 2020
I remember the 38 Dakota warriors.
Art by Travis Blackbird.#Dakota38 pic.twitter.com/0m8tTUnuoA
Gwen Westerman, Little War on the Prairie, @ThisAmerLife
— John R. Legg (@thejohnlegg) December 26, 2020
https://t.co/BhrrW5THHi
Also read this: "The Traumatic True History and Name List of the #Dakota38." https://t.co/aKVOaIerQU
— UAINE (ndnviewpoint) (@mahtowin1) December 26, 2020
To read more, search the #Dakota38 hashtag on Twitter.
Related posts:
- On Thursday morning, Dakota 38 + 2 Wokiksuye riders to remember Mankato 1862 execution
- On the anniversary of the mass execution in Mankato: 2 documentaries about Dakota history
- On this day in 1862, 38 Dakota warriors were hanged in Mankato, largest US public execution
Print: The execution in 1862.
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