The photo above is of Dakota, Chief Travelling Hail aka Passing Hail, and Wa-sui-hi-ya-ye-dan. He was a Mdewakanton. He went to Washington DC in 1858 along with other Chiefs such as Little Crow, Wabasha, Medicine Bottle and Big Eagle, to have discussions about the Traverse Des Sioux and MendotaTreaties. He had signed these Treaties on behalf of his Band

A while before the outbreak there was discord among the Dakota at the two Agencies, Yellow Medicine and Redwood, some Dakota had taken the White man's ways while others stayed Traditional, those who had adopted the White ways were built houses and given some land to cultivate, plus tools and seeds, and shown how to farm. The Traditionals stayed in their tipi's. There was a lot of bad feelings between the two factions, neither liking how the other was living. So a new Chief Speaker for the Tribe was to be elected, it was between, Little Crow, Big Eagle and Travelling Hail. many of the Dakota did not like Little Crow as they did not like the fact that he sold land that belonged to the Tribe and so he didn't get elected, Travelling Hail did.

Big Eagle says, 'Many whites thought that Little Crow was the principal Leader of the Dakota at that time, he was not. Wabasha was the principal Chief.' Travelling Hail was the Speaker for the Tribe.

When the fighting began a lot of the Dakota and their white friends were understandably scared, they didn't know if they would be safe with either Whites or Dakotas the word went around that they would all be safe with Travelling Hail, as he didn't want any trouble and that he was a friend to both Dakota and Whites, so people sought him out and stayed with his band. I have heard that in some of the tipi's where white friends were, that trenches were cut in the floor so that the white and mixed bloods could lay there without fear of being shot. The earth that was removed was spread around the base of the tipi as extra protection. Some white friends and mixed bloods were helped to get to the Hazelwood Republic where the farmer Dakota were taught farming. A group of refugees made their way from there to safety with the Missionary Thomas Riggs. John Otherday a Dakota man helped a lot of them to get to safety.

Camp Release. Photo by Adrian John Ebell 1862

Refugees escaping from the War. The Missionary Thomas Riggs is sitting just in front of the woman by the wheel.
Photo also by Adrian John Ebell 1862

Back to the War, the Mdewakanton survivors were moved in the late spring of 1868 to Crow Creek, SD. At that point Travelling Hail was the Leader of the survivors. In 1867 he went to Washington DC yet again, to represent his people, but he was very sick and died the day after he got home in April 25th 1867

Oh Great Mystery, I call to You who have no face, I call to my helpers who live where the Sun goes down. Be with us now, Be with our Memorial Riders as they ride into history-----
----We are in a time where the needs of many are great. There is a need for greater understanding. It is Winter, the North direction. It's is cold. The winds are cold., it is time for a making of prayers to the Tree of Life, the Sacrifices coming. Oh please, soften the ground of our being, and crave out a space within us where your presence can abide. Fill us with your creativity, so that we may be empowered to bear the fruit of the great mission. Let each of our actions bear fruit in accordance with our desires. Endow us with the Wisdom to produce and to share what each being needs to grow and flourish. Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes. Let us not be seduced by that which would divert us from our true Path and purpose, but illuminate the opportunities of the present moment, for you are the Earth, and all that abides in it, the Fruitful Vision., the Birth, the Power And fulfillment as all is gathered and made whole once again.

You who live where the Sun comes up, you who look out through our eyes, be with our Memorial riders now and forever. Let us all abide in all hearts as one. Give us the courage to embrace all that is unfamiliar in our daily walk, Help us to balance the Terror in our lives with the Wonder that comes along with it. Wopila for this life, this extrodanary time, Embrace us in your Great Feathers as the Memorial Riders ride into the next seven generations. Oh Great Spirit let us truly have the Knowing that we are at long last One. Hasten the quickenning within our hearts as we all dream the Great dream-----peace and Unity for all----- Nancy Raven Kohn

Rita Marsh
The weather spirits continue to share sunshine and gentle breezes. Gratitude! Prayers continue...