ST. PETER — The Dakota 38+2 Wokiksuye Ride, which for 17 years brought Indigenous horse riders to the heart of Mankato to remember the historic execution of 38 Dakota, may soon have a successor this winter.
The new ride is being called Mahkato Okiciyuwaste ka Asinyan Kaga Sunka Wakan Akanyankapi, which translated from Dakota means, Mahkato Reconciliation and Healing Horse Ride.
The new ride is being led by Wilfred Keeble, a former staff carrier for the Dakota 38+2 ride for the last 10 years. Keeble who gave a talk at Gustavus Adolphus College on Monday, said that the ride will focus on healing, reconciliation and the younger generation. Keeble is one of only two riders from the original 2005 Dakota 38+2 ride still living.
“We want more youth to come around and get involved with it,” Keeble said of the new ride while seated a few feet from two of his grandchildren. “We want to encourage them as much as we can.”
In addition to a different name, the new ride will have a different route from the past ride, which proceeded from Lower Brule, South Dakota, to Mankato. The new ride’s route may include stops in Pipestone, Slayton, Westbrook, Jeffers Petroglyphs, Sleepy Eye, Courtland and finally Mankato. Keeble said the route coincides with the location of traditional Dakota villages.
“We’re coming through this route to bring more awareness again to what we’re doing,” Keeble said. “We’re going to come through there and recognize some of those spots.”
The new ride will culminate on Dec. 26 in downtown Mankato at the site of the Dakota 38 hanging, which took place Dec. 26, 1862.
Keeble said fellow elders have expressed enthusiasm for the new ride and hopes those who supported and partook in the Dakota 38+2 Ride will come along for the new journey.