A Heart Warming Story

This man's story is very compelling. He tells it so much better but let me try.

His great grandfather rode cavalry and was part of the regiment that forceably relocated the Indians from Minnesota to the Dakota's. Within the last year he found out about this. He was deeply moved by the documentary and hurt by his family history. He wanted to reverse the roles today.

Today Jacob and I walked 13 miles from Lower Brule to the Flag site by Fort Thompson. Before we left he poured out some water from the Missouri onto the ground as a symbol of our journey. At each location along the route he will do this.

At Mankato he plans to drop Missouri water into the Minnesota River to symbolize the coming home of a great people.

Thank you Jacob.

presented by Keith Nichols

Left - Jacob

Drum group from Crow Creek waiting to drum while the Riders were leaving.

All the riders say a big WOPIDA to "THE HOUSE" for all the ski coats, jackets, hoodies, gloves, mittens and caps. They are wonderful. - from Keith Nichols

Getting ready to leave this morning

I want you all to know that I've been singing a song for all of you, once in the morning and another at night fall. I pray for all of you and the things you are doing and riding for. My Ancestor Grandfather was one of the many to be hauled off to prison on that boat. And when he was released he was one of the many to walk all the way up here and be one of the first families of the MDEWAKANTON WAKPAN IPAKSAN BAND. So I respect all of you and pray for all of you. Warm comfort and Strength. I will see all of you when you get here to Flandreau. I will be singing for all of you on the side of the highway, welcoming you here as I did last year. Ride safe and focused. See you all when you get here.
Hau Mitakuye Oyasin.
#HOKAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Tracii Gunz Barse

Richard Milda feeds his horse before leaving

Sending warm thoughts to all of you from Louisiana...be safe - Vicki Williams Barry

Philip McNight with some of the horses

What always warmed my heart was watching the riders reverently taking care of their horses. Up at dawn feeding and watering their horses even before they eat and lovingly taking care of them at the end of the end. The sunka wakan comes first. - Alberta Iron Cloud Miller

Jeremiah Boyd waiting to ride

"Horses don’t think the same as humans.
Something that’s most unique about the horse, that I love, is not what he possesses but what he doesn’t possess..........and that is greed, spite, hate, jealousy, envy or prejudice.
The horse doesn’t possess any of those things.
If you think about people, the least desirable people to be around usually possess some or all of those things.
And the way God made the horse, he left that out." - Buck Brannaman.

A friend posted this to my wall~~~In Honor of the horses, their bond to each rider~

LeeAnne Red Owl prepares to leave

Adell White-dog
hi my prayers are with u my great grandpa is henry whitedog and my dad is henry whitedog from eagle butte