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The Women's March On November 7, 2014, as in every second year since 2002, Dakota people from the United States and Canada began a 150-mile long Commemorative March through southern Minnesota in honor of their ancestors who were forcibly removed from the Lower Sioux Agency to concentration camps at Mankato and Fort Snelling in November of 1862. For the Dakota this commemoration signifies an opportunity to remember and grieve for the suffering endured by their ancestors as well as to relate a perspective of the event which has rarely been told.
Another Report of experiences from the 2002 March 'As I got into my car, I saw a brave sight. There they were, I saw three adults and six children walking energetically and determinedly to the next town, New Ulm, with the eagle-staff leading the way. With tears in my eyes, I went through a mix of emotions. An initial reaction was anger, "where in the hell were our marchers?" We had about three dozen marchers the day before. That anger quickly dissipated. Then, my feelings turned to determination and pride. My thinking was, "well, if this is all who are going to be marching, then so be it. We'll do it!" Then, my thoughts turned to pride. There was my daughter, Dr. Angela Cavender Wilson, with her three children, my grandchildren! There was my niece, Ms. Marisa Pigeon, with two of her children and her niece! There was my tahansi ("cousin, male to male") from Canada, Leo Omani, who was carrying the eagle-feather staff (our toska, "nephew," Gerald Standing, was driving the little red car, our lead car). They were bravely walking down highway 14, in spite of their few numbers. I thought of how the 1,700 Dakota people back in 1862 were primarily women and children. ' One of the greatest spiritual gifts the marchers received was the approval and presence of the spirits, the presence of our grandfathers and the grandmothers! Several individuals, including Art Owen, one of our spiritual leaders from the Prairie Island Dakota Community, mentioned that they saw blue lights over the marchers as they approached the concentration camp at Ft. Snelling. The spirits of the 1,700 Dakota women, children, and elders were saying to the marchers "thank-you" for your remembering and honoring us, "thank-you" for your physical sacrifice. There were several marchers who marched the whole way, 150 miles, and were there every day of the march. Various marchers have indicated that this march will be done several times, beginning in 2004, and held either every year or every other year right up to 2012, the 150th anniversary of the Dakota-U.S. War of 1862. (It actually went on until 2014 - GHD) To reiterate, this was one of the best things I have ever done in my life. I feel closely to the marchers, those who were there every day or for most of the days. I have a debt of gratitude and feel closely to all those who helped to feed, who provided lodging, who gave of their own personal finances so that the marchers could have sandwiches, cookies, fruit, water. etc., and to all those who helped in their own unique ways to remember and honor the 1,700 Dakota people and to thank the Creator! Manipi kin hena wicunkiksuyapi! "We remember those who walked!" Chris Mato Nunpa Copyright of this report belongs to Chris Mato Nunpa
There are more stories that can be told. The laughter, conversations and stories among the walkers were bonding. When the lathe memorial stakes were placed at mile markers with the names of the relatives of the known walkers in 1862 the emotions and the tears were filled with grief. Three stakes broke while being pounded into the ground, and the stakes belonged to descendants who were on the walk. It was interpreted to symbolize the mending that needed to take place in those families, and the stakes were retied with red strips of cloth. When the walkers entered Fort Snelling State Park on Wednesday, bright blue lights surrounded them. To the Dakota who walk the traditional spiritual path, and who see these things, the Spirits were surrounding and supporting them. Waziyatawin
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Day 7. December 16th 2019 Prayer for Today: Creator we offer prayers and smoke
up. Tobacco down. Thank you for another day to walk upon our sacred
mother, heart to heart with all. Our hearts are filled with gratitude
for the prayers, support, and love that our ancestors, brothers, sisters,
volunteers, staff and horse nation are being surrounded with. I hope
that with each gently powerful hoofbeat a little more of the darkness
is released. Where that darkness once lived upon the land and our ancestors
experienced such horrors may light, love, forgiveness, and healing prevail.
May we remember, carry honour and respect in our hearts and never allow
such actions to be repeated. May our ancestors be as proud of us as
well are of them.
Route for Today
Rest day today in Flandreau.
From our Members:
Photos from the Ride
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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 |
