Good morning to all, I am lost for words this morning. My heart goes out to all, the sacrifice you are making for this day in History that may be forgiven but never forgotten. Bless all of you as you make the last few days here to the site, pray for your safety, try to stay warm. Love to all. - Alice Erickson

I have been blessed during these weeks of Advent to follow this Ride and have been inspired by the spirit of healing and reconciliation, the calls morning and evening to bless riders, horses and supporting communities. Struggles along the way have been prayed for and met by the folks involved in the ride and the supporters in communities on the way. The photos are stunning, and the journeys of the individual folks are a pleasure to follow. My respect and admiration go out to each of you...and I honor each soul remembered. - Lynette Blom

Gm and health, help, and happiness onto you and your love ones...today we ride from ft. Ridgely to Courtland...its also a beautiful -16 here this morning but going to get into the mid teens later on today...ty very much for all the prayers and positive thoughts as we get closer to Dec. 26, 10 a.m. - Richard Milda

Riding in frigid weather

Good night Relatives! Heading for Courtland, Minn. By way of Ft. Ridgley this morning. Prayers for the riders n Sunka Wakan. May their ride today be a good one. Sweet dreams. - Josette Peltier

Ongoing conversation:
Good morning MaryLou - The energy of the riders is strong and inspired. Healing and giving are shared experiences - personal and private but shared for the increasing understanding and power of this Ride. I struggle to choose words which might convey but I think my Dakota iapi (language) is not yet available and that might be the only way to explain, short of being here. - Betty Sheldon

Betty..... I feel my life has been enriched by this experience...even, just online...I feel their spirit...I feel their determination...and their dedication to the journey !!... - MaryLou VandeRiet

We was jam'n the com. center...While Deanna was in a womens/girls talking circle. ..awesome evening. Aho - Richard Milda

Young D singing at the powwow

Good Morning! Praying you are blessed with safe travel. - Leah Scott

& the winds at Their & the Horses backs, sending Warm wishes, -30 to -45 wind chills.... - Jackie B. Steele

Good morning to the horses, riders, volunteer staff, and all volunteer individuals that have provided the necessities for the ride along way. I have ask Great Spirit this morning to touch all deep within their spirit on this last stretch of the ride to know how powerful they are and what story they are to share with the world to guide other individuals back to that time when all hearts were full of peace. I send prayers to all to have a safe ride and for all to stay warm. I know this years' ride has brought my great grandmother to whisper in my ear that I have a story that she wants me to tell. Have a good ride. - Pennykay Hoeflinger

A poem from the heart I wanted to share.

Bring me a horse so that I can love him
Bring me a horse, to brush him to make him shine
Bring me a horse so as I feel him as he takes breath's
Bring me a horse so as I sit upon his back, we are connected in spirit as one being
Bring me a horse I said as a little girl that dreamed
Bring me a horse I say as I have grown older
Bring me a horse so he can heal this tattered soul and put back together what had been torn
Bring me a horse and watch as my soul is renewed !
What such mystical powers they have!

Auntie Joy - Joy Maddox Dacus

Friends hold hands and one of the jackets

Sturdy steeds! Thanks to all for caring for them - feeding. watering and sheltering them during the journey! - Rita Marsh

Prayers for healing, safe travel and your inner fire to burn warm - Christy Reinders

Warm thoughts and prayers with you and all the riders. I will see all at the Buffalo on Thursday. - Diane Wild

all my best wishes people, let your spirit soar, and your voice and will be heard,and felt - Roy Wolstenholme

Thank you very much for add. Beautiful posts with beautiful prayers. And the photos has its own beautiful story, too. Sending warm prayers for the riders and all helpers. - Kathy Oldman

Riding with you in spirit from Wisconsin. - Sara EagleBoy

good morning!!!!! i hope you are all well rested....almost home.......this ride has impacted me as well as the youth. since ive found out about you a whole new door opened and i feel so blessed to have found you. i want to continue staying here with you, i feel like im home. i know i will also keep in contact as id love to be part of raising moey for you toward next yrs ride. ive never done it but if someone can help me out in doing a pow wow...im all in.... - Debbie Snowolf Como

What a gift to our Ancestors and to our people. The sacrifice these riders and everyone else who have made this event possible. The hardship of this ride reminding us of the incredible conditions of weather, abuse, torment plus walking that our ancestors did not deserve. Thank You! - Gene P Charron

Such beauty! Stay safe, keep warm walking with these good hearted people. - Dawn Cunningham Beard

May Great Spirit Keep The Riders And Horses Warm And Safe....Nvwadohiyada - Pat Leegan

Meeting a friend en route...

Hehanni Wast'e Mitakuyepi! The horses were fed n watered. The riders had a good breakfast. Everyone came n got their horses from the Strong homestead
Now off to Ft. Ridgley. Want to say a big Pilamiyaye! To all the people here in Lower Sioux community for everything they have done for the riders n the Sunka Wakan Oyate. Wopila Tanka. - Josette Peltier


Prayers that your final miles are safe and much is learned by many, thank you for doing this for all of us - Kali Herbs

Singers sang a blessing for the ride at Ft Ridgely. Dustin Baird

You can see how cold it is by the hoar frost on the horse

Remembering you this day! me ke aloha. pua

Aloha Kakou..Kakahiaka no.. for those of you already up and perhaps on your way out the door, at 7:30 this morning, All is Sacred sung by Hawane and Sonny Lim will play on KAPA, It is our way, from our ?ohana to you to spread the vibration of aloha, sacredness and beauty here and everywhere from the heavens to the earth, from the mountains to the sea. may you be blessed all beings, all nations, all of creation, all our relations.. we are promising to put this on Itunes today, please play it during Makahiki so all remember All Is Sacred and All is Beautiful Still! me ke aloha. pua - Pua Case

NOTICES

For Mankato
By Dakota Wicohan

The Dakota 38+ 2 Ride.. .
Meals for Dec 25th Dinner at 6pm
and Dec 26th Lunch at 1pm
at the United Methodist Chruch at 325 Sherman Street in Mankato. The corner of Blegrade and Sherman in North Mankato. 507-625-3759
If you are staying at the Best Western the front desk clerks will provide maps and directions.
Please bring a dish to share with the riders and supports. Pidamaya ye -
Oyate Duta Ob'Mani Jackson

For donations of $ or food please contact Darwin at 507-430-5246, He can direct you.

Remember, Dec 26 the meal at 1:00 pm is for the runners coming from Fort Snelling and the Riders coming from Lower Brule. - Keith Nichols

Special prayers go out to each and everyone of you, for your strength, sacrifice perseverance, hope, love, honor and continued healing. ~ka tona ed unpsni hena ka tiwahe tawab hena wicakicanpte ka wasagwicaya ka oyateg owas, hena wocekiya un unkeyapi. Hecetu ye.~ For those who have gone on before us and for their families to make them strong and all of the people. These things we pray for. So it is.~ May Tunkashina Wakan Tanka comfort and bless you all during this Dakota 38+2 Journey. Keep up the stronghold Oyate! You give us strength in return. Mitakuye Oyasin, Wicanhpi To'iciye Win emakiyapi. - Delight LaMere

They got me this year. I am feeling the healing which they are riding for. No more will I look at this season with angst when remembering all the terrible things that happened generations ago this time of year... Instead, I am now anticipating the coming of a new season of Memorial rides. Much respect to all involved. You have reached my core this year. - Sara EagleBoy

Good Morning! Praying you are blessed with safe travel. - Leah Scott

& the winds at Their & the Horses backs, sending Warm wishes,
-30 to -45 wind chills.... - Jackie B. Steele