Dakota 38 + 2 Memorial Ride 2018

Day 11 The photo above is of Dakota, Andrew Good Thunder (Wakinyanwaste) and his wife Sarah in old age in Morton where the Ride reaches today. During the war he was married to Snana (who rescued and took care of a German girl named Mary Schwandt. She stayed with Snanna until she was handed over to Sibley at Camp Release. They stayed good friends all their lives. ) Goodthunder and Snana had several children but all died young, two at Ft Snelling where the couple were put after the war ended. They separated in 1865. Snana died in 1908 Wakinyanwaste was the first male Dakota adult to be baptized by Henry Whipple in 1861, he was named, as his Dakota name says, (Andrew) Good Thunder. Good Thunder and his family remained in the Morton area, a very rare occurrence as most Dakota were banned from being in MN, this was due to both the help they gave to the white settlers during the war and to Whipples lobbying on their behalf. Good Thunder was in the friendly camp along with Taopi and Wabasha and signed a letter to General Sibley along with the other two asking for help for the captive women and children that a lot of the Dakota had with them, they did not think it right that women and children had to endure such hardship and wanted them to be made secure from harm. A number of other friendly Dakota did the same thing and so eventually Sibley had to send troops out to help. Before they arrived though the friendly camp had grown to over 100 tipi's each with at least one captive woman or child inside, being kept safe from those who would kill or harm them. Many of these captives, if not all, were known to the Dakota who were helping them, they had lived close by each other for a long time and also went to the same church in many instances, so knew they would be safe. You will read about one Sarah Wakefield, the doctor's wife who, with her children, was kept safe by Chaska on December 26th page. Andrew was a very respected man with both the Dakota and the whites, he did move for a while to Santee in Nebraska, but came back after a few years to his home of Morton, where his family still reside today. His descendants are hosting the meal tonight.





A wish upon a star,a wish upon a planet..sending gratitude and respect for the riders and horse nation for the journey you are making.



Many folks are rushing around to obtain items they believe will "fix" the world's problems. Never to realize those items will be obsolete in a few moments...they will be outdated,too small, not the right kind. Meanwhile, we have four legged's, brothers, sisters, elders, and young ones making a journey that has all of the elements to bring balance and healing to all. Surrounded by ancestors and all that is sacred,carrying prayers upon their hearts for healing and reconciliation.



May we all remember this is for all of us...to acknowledge, to honor, to heal, and to forgive. To have a healing forest...where hatred no longer resides, where love, respect, and honor is the way for all. Where darkness is not welcome and where light always shines.

May each step of your day, each breath, and every prayer bring peace and healing to you and the world. May you know many prayers have been said for you. Prayers of gratitude for showing us how listening to our messages can heal if we are willing. How when one knows it is the right path to follow there is No stopping. With Creator/Great Mystery/Great Spirit/Wanka Tanka watching over you today will be a great day to ride! May Grandfather Sun keep you warm,Mother Earth surround you with beauty,and all of the blessings be yours.

Thank you for changing this life and many to come

Love, honor, and respect

from Texas Mo Nichols

Morton

Statue outside Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel You will now be in the area where the 1862 History took place. Morton is the town, but the Lower Sioux Agency is the Dakota area. The Jackpot Junction Casino is located here. History is found all around this area, it almost speaks to you. If you can find the stone Warehouse that is located on County Highway 2, that is the exact place that the fighting started. Listen and see if you can hear it. I have!

Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel from the Road 39375 County Highway 24

Morton, MN 56270 Battle of Birch Coulee Monuments and Battlefield

Morton MN 56270 (507) 697-6321 This year the Riders will be staying at Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel. Today, tomorrow and Saturday are rest days for the Riders.

Thank you to the Vesta Community, for taking care of the horses, and Marshall SW Minnesota State University for their hospitality and the Oyate Club for both dinner last night and breakfast this morning. You are appreciated for your support every year.



Today the Ride goes 23 miles from Vesta to Morton and the area where the War first started. The horses will stay at the Darwin Strong Ranch and the Riders will stay at the Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel . Breakfast will be hosted by the Oyate Club in Marshall, lunch will be with the Chuck Wagon and dinner will be made and hosted by the Goodthunder Pendleton Tiospaye.



Prayers and Good wishes from the Supporters Group for today Tamara Wire Oswald

The Howard Elementary School was honored to have the Dakota 38+2 Riders pass by our school as they continued their journey.

Safe travels and many blessings......Thank you T Lilly LittleWater

Thank you, Gloria.

Sending Love and Prayers for the Riders, our Sunka Wakan Relatives, and Support Staff.

Im holding you all in my heart every day. Mo Nichols

May you all be blessed with exactly what you need today! So proud of each one making this journey. Ride on warriors....it's another day of changing the world! United as one for healing and reconciliation Patti Blair

Thinking of all the riders as you make your journey to Mankato. Your Native Hawaiian (kanaka maoli) cousins support you and wish you well. I'mua (go forward)!! Gloria J Payea Benoit

Good morning, prayers for the riders, drivers and horses for a safe journey today. Rita Marsh

May the spirit of the sun continue to shine on your journey... Grateful for its presence thus far! Nico Wind Cordova

Warrior support for both the rider and the pony. Odette Hutchison

Looks like a good day, stay warm my friends Emily Goldthwaite Fries

Lifting up prayers for the riders and the horses today. You are an inspiration and healers for the community here in MN, representing hope for our common future. This year in Mankato, I will be bringing friends from the interfaith housing organization where I work, who want to better understand the roots of homelessness in the Native population in MN. If anyone would like to visit with us over lunch we would love to listen. Peggy Bonnell

Peggy Bonnell I am so honored and humbled to be able to share in group prayers daily, offering tobacco praying for the man and horse nations. Thank you all. Margareta Sherman

What happened? he's a strong warrior! Sage Blessings Sylvianne Horned Eagle Sherman

Prayers going up for our Riders! Stay safe & warm! May the Wind be at your Back! Connie Edberg

The day was awesomely mild in Minnesota [Minneapolis] today. I hope it was the same for the riders! Blessings to them. Pamela Kay Leverenz

Blessed with warmer winter weather~Many Blessings all Roberta Marie

Thanks for the add! I truly appreciate the beautiful documentation of this annual memorial tribute to honor our ancestors. Jade Humphrey

Good Rising Relatives, May Creator bless and shine upon the Unity Riders and the Horse Nations and all supporters of this prayerful journey. Thank you from my heart to yours.

Elaine McCloud

Ride With The Ancestors each day surrounded by our prayers! Thank you for The Sacred Work you do! Great Grandmother from Chehalis Reservation in Washington State! Tom Wirt

I watch for him and his 4 legged in every days' pictures. It's wonderful. Maybe at the end of the ride, a poster just for him! But I'll bet he's not doing this for him. Cece Walter

Prayers for a good day riding and fair weather. All my love and respect to the riders, horses, support staff and helpers along the route. Many blessings. Ramona Gerber

Awesome job riders!!!!! Elona Tyler-Bergstad

Prayers to all involved in this journey Darlene Goodine

<3 Lee Peace

Nice Diane Wild

Blessings to the riders, horses and support teams. The weather is in your favor. Stay safe. Peggy Bonnell

Thank you for sharing, prayers that all can rest tonight on this sacred journey. Kathy Riddle

Praying for warmth and a good ride today for you today! Anne Loison

Prayers and blessings for our courageous brothers

Lisa Enright van Everdingen

Does anyone know where I cam get an exact route? I would love to see them!

Gloria Hazell Derby replied to this post Marge DR

Thank you to Douglas Bonine and his wife Traci Dahlgren Bonine for providing hay to the horses in pipestone, MN. Their awesome people!!

Kate Martens

Thank you! Jeanne Zimmerman

Prayers continuing. Alice Erickson

Thank you, Lou. Silvie Diet

Hearts Dave Gunderson

prayers for strength and courage hope and Love. Audrey Haas

prayers for all, animals to. Enjoy the reading of history. Very nice pictures. Ron Wetzell

Here comes the sun! Sounds like a beautiful day. Zoongwebinesiik Martha Kay

Beautiful weather today. Enjoy the sunshine. Megan O'Brien

I love this photo. (The young warrior on the tiny horse) Laurie Goblirsch Folsom

I will see you all in Mankato on the 26th. Safe travels! Sheilah Galer

Prayers M egan Conner-Humphries

Amazing! Joan Travis

Thanks so much for recording history in the making! Chuck would love this. Kathy Riddle

Prayers going up for a good ride today. Thanks Gloria Tesa Siverhus-Maus

Thank you, Gloria and prayers up for riders, horses and all who surround you! Elona Tyler-Bergstad

Thank you! Your hard work is much appreciated! T Lilly LittleWater

Thank you for these. I look for them each day.

Your work is most appreciated. Rita Marsh

Blessings to you Gloria Hazell Derby for your steadfast dedication to documenting the rides year after year. Sandra Irene Seide Rodgers

Gloria Hazell Derby Silvie Diet

Thank you Gloria for your good work

Much love and blessings to you Terri Abrahamson

Gloria Hazell Derby I believe that the photo was taken at Davenport. I think I saw this at LSC historic society or the Renville Co. Museum in Morton.



This was about the photo I used on day 4 I wasn't sure where it was taken as I havdn't seen it before Gloria Hazell Derby

That would make more sense, as I know it was after 1862 due to Wowinape being in it. He didn't get imprisoned until after Little Crow was killed. It is just strange that I had never seen it before after almost 30 years of working with the Dakota and 38. Thanks for sort of confirming my reasoning.





I know how he feels! Photo by Jake Iron Cloud.



Thanks again Ron! More tomorrow!