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By Crystal Reith In the spring of 2005, Lakota spiritual leader Jim Miller, of Porcupine, SoDak., had a dream about a horseback ride that led to Mankato. “Jim was an elder that kept having dreams of heading east,” said Cari Lanke, a supporter of the Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Horse-Ride.
Miller’s dream became a reality in 2008 when horseback riders made the 330-mile trek in frigid December temperatures. Known as the Dakota 38+2 ride, horseback riders departed from Lower Brule, SoDak. and traveled to Reconciliation Park in Mankato, Minn. The ride was a symbol of hope, healing and education and was meant to honor the 38 Dakota warriors that were hung during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 and two Dakota chiefs, Medicine Bottle and Shakopee, that were hung in 1864. The hangings were ordered by President Abraham Lincoln and are still the largest mass execution the government has ever carried out. “The ride symbolizes healing and forgiveness. It changed my life,” said Lanke, who has been involved with the rides since 2010. “I know what the Native Americans went through and how they suffered. I have seen many people change their lives for the better because of the ride.”
In 2022, Miller stated the ride that year would be the last one because he had fulfilled his commitment to having the rides. Miller passed away from cancer in March of 2023.
“When someone passes, the family is in mourning for a year,” said Lanke, of Lamberton, Minn. “People expressed interest in continuing the ride as it has a healing effect for so many people, not only the riders, but communities as well. The family agreed to let it continue, but it had to have a different name.”
The ride has been renamed the Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Horse-Ride. This year’s ride, led by former Dakota 38+2 staff rider Wilfred Keeble of the Crow Creek Reservation in Fort Thompson, SoDak, will begin on December 10. The ride will depart from Fort Thompson, So-Dak. and then continue through Wessington Springs, Woonsocket, Howard, Colman and Flandreau before entering Minnesota. In Minnesota, the riders will follow a slightly different route than the original ride as they travel a more southern route through Pipestone, Slayton, Westbrook, the Jeffers Petroglyphs and then finally end on December 26 at Reconciliation Park in Mankato.
Those involved with the ride are riders that include a mixture of descendants, natives, nonnatives and supporters from around the globe.
“Some have seen the movie, and the spirits call them to participate. We’ve had people from Canada, Germany and South Africa come,” said Lanke. “More people join the riders as they travel east to Mankato.”
Riders of all generations will brave the winter weather to continue the legacy.
“It’s really heartwarming that the younger generation is getting involved and going on these rides and reaching out to the communities,” said Lanke. “They learn what needs to happen and can carry on the ride in years to come.”
To begin the ride and each day, riders and supporters gather in prayer and song before circling the horses and taking off for their next stop. Their travels are a part of Miller’s vision for reconciliation and cultural preservation.
“The riders gather prayer lists and are in prayer throughout the ride,” said Lanke.
As they travel between towns, riders and horses switch so everyone has a chance to participate in the ride and horses can rest. Police escorts are also provided to ensure safety.
“Safety is an issue that everyone is concerned about,” said Lanke. “Dealing with the cold and ice is hard.”
Area community groups and volunteers provide housing and meals for participants and horses, but the group is always looking for financial assistance and donations.
“We could always use donations of hand warmers, foot warmers, gloves, hats and snacks,” said Lanke. “Financial need is great because we use it to help pay for fuel. Donations can be given to Josh Malchow at City Hall in Slayton.”
Enroute to Mankato, the horse riders and supporters will be stopping at the fairgrounds in Slayton on December 19. Lanke encourages community members to come out and meet the riders.
“A lot of people that live around here don’t even know that these things have happened,” said Lanke. “Everyone is welcomed to talk to the riders and learn about the Dakota Uprising of 1862.”
Horseback riders will continue their journey to the Land of Memories Park in Mankato before receiving a police escort to their final destination of Reconciliation Park. At Reconciliation Park, Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Horse-Ride participants will be joined with runners that set out on a 71-mile run from Fort Snelling, St. Paul to Mankato in memory of the Dakota 38+2.
“At Reconciliation Park, various individuals will speak. There will also be drums and singers there,” said Lanke. “This ride is about bringing attention to what has happened in the past and allowing families to heal. It is a ride of prayer.”
