The Women Who Support

In the old traditional ways, the men would always either send the women away out of danger or they would surround them to keep them safe. In 1862 the men were unable to do either of those things, and so the women had to surround the men, take over their roles as providers and protectors. Their roles were reversed.

The picture I have created below, shows how that role reversal has evolved to this day.

In the center are the men of 1862, surrounding them are the women of 1862, role reversal complete... But wait, surrounding those women in the outer circles are the women of today, some are their descendants who walked in their footsteps in 2002, in a gesture that was to heal the Spirits of their ancestors, and to help heal the generational trauma that started to harm the Dakota back in 1862. In those outer circles are women who either Ride, Run, Cook, support in many ways to help that healing that the 2002 women started. However these women are not only Dakota, they are from different Tribes, Clans and Nations around the world. They have done their part in surrounding all of the others, since 2005.

That support and healing continues every year during the Dakota 38 + 2 Memorial Ride in December, during the 330 mile Ride through snow, rain, ice, sunshine. More and more women and children are joining in the Ride, learning traditions, and how to heal the generational trauma of a Nation.

Thank you to all of the Women who join in the Ride in one aspect or another every year. The women in the picture are a small group of people who are representing the larger amount of women who take part every year, who help with the Healing and the Reconciliation, of the Dakota People and maybe of themselves.

Day 17, December 26th 2019

Prayer for Today

Blessings on this powerful day. Prayers and smoke up tobacco down.

Creator may the experiences of this ride make all of our new days more connected...Connected to our sacred Mother Earth, our ancestors, our history, each other, and you.

Today we honour everyone in the physical and spirit world that is home. We give thanks and gratitude for the sacrifies, the determination, the guidance, and the visions. We honour the relationships past and the new ones made. Today we will stand together, or support from afar, with deep respect for our ancestors. We honour their lives.

Awareness has been brought across the nation's of history that should never be forgotten. We have arrived at a place to honour, reconcile, and heal. May the experiences of each one of us witnessing give us that openness of heart to do what is right by our teachings.

May the circle created today be strong and never broken. May tears shed be cleansing, may heavy hearts be lightened, may spirits that were lost know a sense of togetherness.

We honour and respect the Dakota 38+2, the circle, the horse nation, all of the riders, supporters, host, and volunteers.

Welcome home, be proud with humbled hearts: today marks a day of new beginnings of honour.

Blessings, love, and gratitude
With deep honour and respect for all of you
Mitakuye Oyasin A'ho
Mo

Route for Today

This is the final day of the Ride for 2019. The Riders and their horses will leave for home this evening

Breakfast will be a continental in the Norwood Inn, Lunch will be at 1 pm and will be provided by the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis and hosted by the New Creation Church . 1124 River Drive Mankato.

Thank you to everyone who has cooked, hosted, taken care of in any way, the people on the Ride or the horses this year. Your kindness is most appreciated by everyone involved in the Ride.

Thank you to Josette Peltier and Keith Nichols for taking such good care of the Riders from the Lower Brule to Mankato. Once again you have been fantastic.

From our Members:

Teresa Nord
As a formerly incarcerated woman I am so truly blessed, honoured and humbled to have the opportunity to go back into Minnesota woman's prison as a volunteer. On Thursday Dec. 26th at 8am I will be running with the women at Shakopee Correctional Facility in honor of the Dakota 38+2.

When I was incarcerated there in 2015-2017 I ran with the women to show our love and respect to our relatives who lost their lives. The experience made such a major impact on me. My life and who I am as a strong Native woman has changed in such an incredible way because of the women incarcerated and our ancestors. I am truly blessed.

Thank you to all the riders and runners whose commitment and bravery is unwavering. From the women of MCF Shakopee Correctional Facility We Love, Honor and Respect you.
Pilameya

This first block of comments are all to do with the post above from Teresa Nord

Ola Reynolds
With it being so close wanting to Thank and Bless The Dakota 38 +2. You've rode long and hard.
Horse Nation once again make this Blessed trip. The Gathering of all to Pray and pay respects to all.
I am So Proud once again to watch and pray for you all. And to the People who pull this together and to the People for support and for the Kind People that kept and fed the People and The Blessed 4 Legged that carried and show honor to you all.
Precious Moments Love to you all Rest easy. And to our Runners. Until Tomorrow many Prayers and Blessings
As tomorrow with full Circle of ceremony and struggles blessings forgiveness and Powerful Prayer.
In my Heart is full and my Heart feels all that is happening. You don't have to be there to believe.
I will feel Every Emotion there is to have. And Blessing our Riders and Sacred Horses that are full with spirit to make this journey.
All involved in making this come together. Our Runners.
Tomorrow is not a ending. But a begining of a New year and a plan that starts for next year..
I'm Proud of you all. Dakota 38 +2 Blessings and after tomorrow I know it will hard to come down off such a high of the Creator's Spirit.
But I wish you well and Find you peace and rest.

Michele J Dragas
Very well said ~ it is not an ending but a beginning of healing the past to forge a new future Bright with Creators Spirit to honor the Ancestors who suffered this injustice. I firmly believe that which Blesses One, Blesses All! We are Blessed by everyone who participated in whatever way they can ~ but especially by the Riders and Sacred Horses so that we all can be healed and we all may live in a good way as Creator intended.
Mitakuye Oyasain

Photos from the Ride
Copyright of the photos belongs to the photographer. A list of those who supply the photos will be given on a page on the website at the end of the Ride.

For the Women who Endured.

Dakota 38 + 2 Memorial Ride Supporters group on Facebook

Historic photographs courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

Website mostly written and Created by Gloria Hazell Derby Dragonfly Dezignz © 2019 to date