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

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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!

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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