Hello
and Welcome to the 2017 Ride. Everyone is heading over
to Lower Brule as I am writing this, the weather is cold
and windy, but hopefully will get better before the Ride
starts on the 10th. I hope this year to stay healthy so
I can finish the website for the year, twice I have been
ill and couldn't finish them, so fingers crossed for this
year.
I am
using Julie Carrow's photos that she took in 2013, this
year. Julie gave me the right to use her photos for the
group in any way I wish. If you want to use any of them
please contact her. Enjoy the Ride
This
year again I am starting the website by adding a history
of the Ride written by Alberta Iron Cloud Miller (Jim's
wife) 13th April, 2014:
'A little history for the newcomers: The Dakota 38+2
Wokiksuye Ride came together in 2005 after Jim had a dream
to ride east to a place where a large group of men were
hung. He was given specific instruction on what offerings
to take and to place the offerings on a horse with no
rider. We later heard from two Dakota men that the spirits
had already told of riders coming from the west back to
Dakota country.'
'With
the support of some very strong and clear minded wicasa
who felt the spiritual power, the dream came into reality.
Alex White Plume, Birgil Kills Straight and a crew of
Big Foot Riders came to Lower Sioux Agency to help start
the ride. The Dakota reserves were represented by Gus
High Eagle and Carl Mazawasicuna. Our keeper of the Sacred
Pipe, Arvol Looking Horse, was our spiritual leader to
lead the riders in sacred prayer. Sheldon Wolfchild and
the families from Lower Sioux created the path from Morton
to Mankato based on their historical knowledge. The only
intention of the dream was to ride and pray. No more no
less.'
'We
did not spread word of the ride via Facebook or internet,
only through "moccasin telegraph". Riders came
from the Dakota reserves in Canada, from South Dakota,
North Dakota and right from Minnesota. In later years
the participation expanded to include riders from all
the reservations where the exiled Dakota settled. The
majority of the riders are descendants of the 38 Dakota
men who were hung on December 26, 1862.'
'The
ride started in Lower Sioux because that was the site
of the 1862 War. The Riders and supporters from Lower
Sioux provided the riders with comfort, food, and a place
to lay down after a long day's ride. Every man, woman
and child took loving care of their horses before they
took care of themselves because of their understanding
of the strong relationship between a man and his relative
sunka wakan.'
'Each
year from 2005 to 2007 the ride started in Lower Sioux.
Beginning in 2008 the ride started at the Missouri River
as described in the dream and has continued from that
point following the path of the dream. There are powerful
stories of a supernatural nature that have been told by
the riders.'
'The
2008 ride was documented by Silas Hagerty and a crew of
young Dakota who helped bring the story together. Silas
and Jim met at an inipi out east and their relationship
provided the foundation for the film which captures the
history as well as the spiritual essence of the ride.
The power comes from the prayer, it comes from people
treating each other as good relatives and finally, acknowledging
that the riders ride for their ancestors and their nations.
For that reason the film, Dakota 38, is free.'
'Jim
carried the staff for 4 years and passed it on to toska
Peter Lengkeek in 2008 who in turn passed it on to Perry
Little after he carried it for 4 years. (2017: The Staff
has been in the hands of Wilfred Keeble since last year.)
Jim has continued to serve as an advisor and works to
spread the word of healing through the Dakota 38 film
and travels only on invitation. To reiterate, the only
intent of the ride is to pray. Any effort to market the
ride is not acceptable. In the words of our spiritual
leader Arvol Looking Horse, our people follow the way
of the pte oyate (buffalo nation) where we take care of
one another and unsilaka (compassion) our people.'
'The
dream has brought healing to many people in the Dakota
Nation as well as non-Indian folks. There's been a healing
of relationships with the communities along the Dakota
trail or Hwy. 34. Where there was fear of one another
there is hope. All of this has happened because of healing
and from the prayers of the riders and their supporters.
The prayers of the riders have manifested this healing.'
Thanks
Alberta!
Gloria
Hazell-Derby
A
lovely moving poem from a Supporter Alissa Turensky
Riding
into midnight
But not to catch a train
Its the honoring of heroes
With nothing left to gain
The memories still with us
Heartbreak raw and tender still
Reparations don't repair
Generational suicide and ill
Won't you remember them
Massed up ready to die
My heart is there
Can't you still hear them cry
Ride or die, the native stance
Focused and cold
Society doesn't give a passing glance
I am praying to Great Spirit above
That one day all will see
This detrimental hate disguised as love
©Alissa Turensky
Thanks
Alissa!
Messages
from the Face Book group for the Riders and support Teams
- 2017
Michele
L Berger
Sending prayers and strong support for the riders
and horses..and people/communities along the way.
|
Martin's
Grandson Jones
We all appreciate and thank you and all the
admins for all the great work you do.
|
Diane
Benner
Thank You for everything for Everyone Clean Water
Peacekeeper Great Spirit LOVE
|
Mo
Nichols
Sending warm hugs,love,protection,and blessings
to all riders,support staff,admin,supporters, volunteers!
With you in spirit! A'ho
|
Lyn
Cerniglia
With total respect for all of you, stay safe.
|
Deb
England
Blessings!
|
Ramona
Gerber
Following again this year from Alaska!
Safe journey & looking forward to Lou Fuentes
posts!!!
|
Karen-Ann
Williams
Following from Oklahoma. Gloria so happy to have
you back and feeling well.
|
Kita
Mijares
Blessings to the Riders for safe travels May
our ancestors guide their way and fill their hearts
with comfort and understanding
|
Gitte
Falck Asmussen
tak for din store indsats du er et vidunderligt
menneske knus og kram (Thank you for your great
effort you are a wonderful human hug and hugs)
|
Denise
La Grouw
prayers up for all the riders and supporters
|
Cynthia
Payer
Love n prayers
|
Mindy
Smith Millard
Love following all the posts! My sister will
be there in spirit I'm sure! Shelly Bausch
|
Becky
Heinrich
Hope to see you all again, may be bringing a
special friend for you to meet .
|
Alexa
Burt
Safe Journey Thoughts and prayers go with you
|
Sébastien
Soudan
Let all involved people be safe and touched by
Spirit
|
Sharlene
Whiteley McGilvray
My ink to honour the ancestors and the Dakota
38+2 Memorial Ride. I wear it with honour and pride.
This year will be my third year on the ride. I fly
from South Africa to make this life changing, sacred
journey with my Dakota 38 family. Love you all xxx
|
Mo
Nichols To Sharlene
Safe travels! Amazing tat! Thank you for being
part of showing the world what history,forgiveness,healing,
honor,and loving the unlovable looks like! We have
much to learn from this ride. Love, respect, and
blessings to you all.
|
Velda
Phillips
prayers for the sunka wakan
|
Teri
Vanderbeek
I'll be following you every day!
|
Michele
J Dragas
Loads and Load of Love and Best Wishes for every
one participating this year - that it may bring
a quiet joy and peace to all.
|
Ramona
Gerber
Blessings to riders & horses. May each rider
be ready for this journey of awareness & pride
in your culture. May your horses be strong &
the Ancestors be with you to guide & support.
|
Wayne
Watson
Creator watch over the horses and riders, the support
staff and everyone involved!
|
Tammy
Nelson
Safe travels everyone. Will see you on the 25th
and join you the last leg of your journey.
|
Romona
Hawkins
Blessings n Prayers for everyone from start to
finish.
|
Josette
Peltier
Pidamiyaye for doing what you do Gloria!! Love
n hugs.
|
Thanks
for the messages, keep sending them in please.
That's
it for today.... Prayers sent from me in England for the
Riders, the Horses, the Crews, the Communities who feed
and house the riders, crew and horses, the Supporters
worldwide and YOU... Mitakuye Oyasin