In 1862, the U.S. Government conducted the largest execution in our nation's history under the order of President Abraham Lincoln. On December 26, 1862, thirty-eight Dakota warriors were simultaneously hung in Mankato, Minnesota. For what offense were these warriors hung?
The Dakota people had been removed from their homeland in Minnesota and relocated to South Dakota. They were introduced to their new "home" by being held in a stockade. They were not allowed any weapons or hunting, relying sheerly on the rations handed out by the government. However, the rations were skimmed by dishonest middlemen and the Dakota people were starving. As a last resort, and in an attempt to defend and Protect their people against starvation, the Dakota went to war with the U.S. again. It was a short-lived war, and resulted in the mass execution of these 38 warriors.
This is just one incident in a long history of violence, broken treaties and land theft, and many attempts to annihilate the native peoples of these lands and their cultures. For the Native American peoples - and as with all indigenous peoples - memories are not held to just one generation. These people, whom we refer to as "Earth Keepers", are so close together in their Oneness with their families, their people, their lands, and All That Is, that the memories are alive as fresh experiences to each and all. Each day begins the pains of wrongs done again and again, and will continue until Healing takes place. How is the Healing to come? It comes through Forgiveness and acknowledgement.
The Dakota 38 ride began as a vision of Forgiveness and Healing. It is a physical Release of hurts long held. The Healing and Forgiveness has begun. Let us all pray that it continues, for these are a beautiful people with a beautiful culture who belong very much in our world. They are our brothers and sisters. It is Time that we came into Oneness and Wholeness with them.
The Dakota people had been removed from their homeland in Minnesota and relocated to South Dakota. They were introduced to their new "home" by being held in a stockade. They were not allowed any weapons or hunting, relying sheerly on the rations handed out by the government. However, the rations were skimmed by dishonest middlemen and the Dakota people were starving. As a last resort, and in an attempt to defend and Protect their people against starvation, the Dakota went to war with the U.S. again. It was a short-lived war, and resulted in the mass execution of these 38 warriors.
This is just one incident in a long history of violence, broken treaties and land theft, and many attempts to annihilate the native peoples of these lands and their cultures. For the Native American peoples - and as with all indigenous peoples - memories are not held to just one generation. These people, whom we refer to as "Earth Keepers", are so close together in their Oneness with their families, their people, their lands, and All That Is, that the memories are alive as fresh experiences to each and all. Each day begins the pains of wrongs done again and again, and will continue until Healing takes place. How is the Healing to come? It comes through Forgiveness and acknowledgement.
The Dakota 38 ride began as a vision of Forgiveness and Healing. It is a physical Release of hurts long held. The Healing and Forgiveness has begun. Let us all pray that it continues, for these are a beautiful people with a beautiful culture who belong very much in our world. They are our brothers and sisters. It is Time that we came into Oneness and Wholeness with them.
Video Credit: YouTube user "SmoothFeather" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pX6FBSUyQI&feature=youtu.be
RSS Feed