Dakota 38 + 2 Memorial Ride 2018

Day 7 On a personal note, In 1981 when I first came to America from England, a new friend gifted me a book and said 'I think you should have this', he knew about my life long interest in Native Americans, and so I accepted the book, it was 'Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee' by Dee Brown. I started to glance through it at first looking at the photos in there, and all of a sudden I was shaken to the core, a picture of a man, a Dakota man, a man that I knew really well, but didn't. I couldn't understand it, I didn't know why, it sort of worried me but also excited me. Who was this man and why did I have such strong feelings? The photo above is the one that made me feel that way and over the years I followed this man's history, and it has brought me to here, today, to tell that story, on this group that means so much to me, to let you all know why I am so passionate about this part of History.



Big Eagle was that man, I found too that I also knew other Dakota men from that same history. You may believe in past-lives, you may not, but I don't have any other explanation as to why I have followed this man through time and place and history. It's a long story that I won't go into here, but suffice it to say, the photo changed my life. In the 80's, my ex husband, Andy, when asked why he was out west, would answer, 'She is following an old boyfriend and so I follow with her!' he had no problem with it. I met my late husband Chuck in 1990, through this same story, it has been very significant to my and my family's path. The photo above shows a Dakota chief, Big Eagle (Wamditanka or Jerome Big Eagle). He was one of the leaders during the 6 week war. He led the attack on Fort Ridgley with his brother Medicine Bottle, and joined Little Crow on other attacks. He was not hanged but was sent to Davenport, and from there was sent to Santee, Nebraska, as a lot of the ex prisoners were. He and some others wanted to be closer to their home land, and so asked the Government if they had some land that they could have to live on, close to Minnesota. (No Dakota was allowed to be in MN at that time due to the war.) They weren't too helpful, (No! really, I wonder why?) and so eventually, in 1869, a group of Santee Dakota, among them Big Eagle gave up their tribal rights, entered claims and formed a community as ordinary citizens of the United States. They left Santee and travelled north to the Big Sioux River, to a place they called Titankahi, and set up the Flandreau Colony, where the Ride is today. The founders of Flandreau Colony were Old Flute, All Over Red, Iron Dog, and Big Eagle, all signers of the Fort Laramie Treaty for the Santee Sioux and good men. Also joining them were Many Lightenings (Jacob Eastman), Wo-wi-na-pi (Thomas Wakeman), and David Weston. After many years on my travels of Big Eagle's path I was given ' A History of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe' by Sam Allen a Flandreau Dakota, not as a book but just pages put together with a clip, it is all typed nicely and is an interesting read to see how Flandreau started and continued. It is dated 1971. I was very honored to be given that, and Flandreau will always hold a special place in my heart. Hoka Hey--- Hoka Hey------ from the Darkness , my fastest Horse He canters ----- from the West he comes--- bathed in Glory,--- his nostrils spewing Fire,---His hooves Dancing Dancing,-- His tail erect, a Flag waving with the Wind, Part Rain,-- part Wind,-- part Fire,-- He is all these things and more, he needs no Eyes to see,-- nor Ears to hear---- He carries within him all the Directions,-- He purifies the Air, from His Belly he roars, He brings the Hail.-- He brings Life--------- Hoka Hey

Nancy Raven Kohn

Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe

Division: Santee

Bands: Mdewakanton (People of Spirit Lake),Wahpekute (Leaf Shooters)

Traditional Language: Dakota

Locations: Tribal land in south-eastern South Dakota, north of Sioux Falls. Tribal offices in Flandreau.

Land Area: 2,356 acres (without boundaries)

Major Employers: Flandreau Indian School, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, Royal River Casino Thank you to the Flandreau Santee Sioux Community for their hospitality, especially Pam Bird and her family who hosted dinner last night. Also thanks to the Tribe for hosting the Riders at the Hotel, and the Indian school for taking care of the horses on both days.



Today the Ride stays in Flandreau, it is their rest day. The horses will again stay at the Flandreau Indian School Corral and the Riders will stay at the Royal River Hotel. Breakfast will be on their own, the Hotel (and Casino) does a lovely buffet breakfast, I wish I could join them... Lunch and dinner will be at Eastman Hall, (just behind the Hotel, take the road at the north side of the hotel, and go to the next intersection and take a right there. Eastman Hall is on the right.) Mondays ride (day 8) will be an all WOMEN ride to bring awareness to all the women who have been murdered missing and abducted. Prayers and Good wishes from the Supporters Group for today

Pua Case

Aloha Lou Fuentes from Hawaii following once again!!!! Mauna Kea rides with the riders Pengwen Erasmus

Watching from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Praying for a safe ride and plenty of health and wellness !!!! Willie Hoska

I pray for our riders all my relatives I am thankful Aho!

Don Stein

Miggwech Deborah Stark

Excellent! I hope the weather continues to treat you all kindly. Alisha Amy

Blessings and prayers Romona Chezem

Sending traveling protection to our riders... Amy Means

Ehh nah. So humbling. Ty for sharing. Julia Fike.

Hearts and horses Debby CM Schwartz

Blessings to all. Jeff Galuza

Im thinking this is what the supporters look like. Stepping up and helping at a moments notice. Day 3 I pray for tolerable weather and prayers answered. Peace folks.

Gloria Hazell Derby When I saw this video I was reminded of being a helper and how we move around when and where needed. Flexibility is key. Thank you for all you do. I look fwd to meeting. Im coming from Maine on the 14/15. Hoping to be in Flandreau to go along for 3 days. Jim is a good friend. Thank you again. Pua Case

Aloha today I'll be on live with Mikilani Young at 3:55 our time to talk about our connection to the Dakota 38 +2 Ride which stems from lessons covered with students at Waimea Middle School. What an honor it has been to be aligned with the horses, the riders and the ride all these years. Here?s a video I made for my students when I traveled to Mankato for the first time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2e8uXmqnls&t=7s Valari Wilson

Oh goodness!! I love this photo!! Silvie Diet

What a beautiful Foto Lee Peace

Sending love and thankfulness on your ride. Share peace. Laurene Klammer

Your journey every at this somber time, releases remeberance of the ones that went before their time. Stories, must be told. A' ho. Marion Adema

Prayers for you all , Horses, Riders and all who accompany them , in toughts i am there ! Linda Marie Duquaine-House

Positive vibes and prayers to all on your journey from Oneida Wis Patti Peterson

Love the photo thanks for shring Jason Ross

Safe ride Josh O'watch

Pinamiya prayers to the riders an the horses hoka Juanita Lucio

Thank u for sharing Diane R. Anderson

Glad you're with the Ride again, Kenny! :) Zoongwebinesiik Martha Kay

Miigwetch for sharing Stace Dow

Piydima for the add n safe travels to everyone on this long ride n journey much love&respect meh Stace Dow Cece Walter

Prayers and blessings for all the riders, horses, support staff and welcoming supporters along the route that are taking everyone in. Safe travels and fair weather. Much love and respect for you all. Anne Loison

Love and blessings Shirley Crane

Hearts Kathy Scabbyrobeparnett

prayers and blessing to all. to all safe travels Alvira Sargent

Prayers for all the riders I'm Very Proud Of You All!! Colleen Oldefendt

Thanks for the pictures. Hazel McCort

great photos... Sammy Versch Mitchell Capotrio

Great pics Kate Adams

thanks for all the images to join my prayers Verna Buffalo

Prayers to you all Lois Bendix

How brave they are. Anne-Marie Mariani

With all my thoughts - have a safe journey Linda Lani

Thank you for allowing me to follow and support. Mary Setser

Thanks Ron Gloria Hazell Derby

Thanks Ron! Pua Case

Gloria Hazell Derby I'm always right here for our relatives, good to connect with you as well once again. I'll be along for the entire ride and post as I can! Gloria Hazell Derby

Sounds great Pua, good to have you back again. Tina Berger-Hyronemus

Prayers for riders and horses. Deana Bruce

My prayers too have Ben sent....For the rider's to be safe..... Kim Graczyk Wroge Evans

Beautiful! Gene Red Hail

Ne'na Wa'ste Silvie Diet

Prayers and blessings for riders and horses Jackie V Gray

prayers for your strength and warmth Pam Becker

Stay warm, folks, it's chilly here in Mankato!! Diane Wild

Prayers to all riders and horses as well as the support team. Amy Lynn

Safe travels to all riders and drivers and all involved during this journey Jamie Kenniston

Pilamaya Anthony Foster

Vision quest Annette Ennis

prayers for all.





Thanks Ron! More tomorrow...