Canku Ota |
(Many Paths) |
An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America |
December 16, 2000 - Issue 25 |
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Reconciliation - Healing and Remembering |
by Paul Barry |
The Buffalo Statue in Reconciliation Park, Mankato, MN. |
All around Dakota country, perhaps all around "Indian Country," December 26th
is remembered. It is a day when ceremonies, to heal and reconcile, are conducted by many families. It is a day
to remember a sad day in our history. For many years, Dakota people have felt uncomfortable in some southern Minnesota towns. They would either go out of their way to avoid those towns or would only pass through those towns at night. |
In 1958, something happened that has changed that. Two men met while fishing on the banks of the Mississippi River near Red Wing, MN. Those men, Amos Owen, a Dakota spiritual leader, and Bud Lawrence, a Mankato businessman, became friends. | |
In 1972, through the efforts of Amos and Bud, a pow wow was held in Mankato. During the
opening ceremony of the pow wow, Amos was asked to offer a prayer for the dancers, the singers, and all the visitors.
As Amos prayed with his pipe in the center of the dance arena, thirty-eight eagles appeared overhead. It was an
awesome site, one that those present that day will never forget. That same year, the City of Mankato removed a plaque that memorialized the execution of the thirty-eight Dakota from the site of that event. Again through the efforts of Amos and Bud (and many others), 1987 was declared the Year of Reconciliation in the State of Minnesota. It was time. One hundred and twenty-five years had passed. Some would say that it was long overdue. Many events were held throughout the year to bring the communities closer. Here are a few of these events: |
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In 1992, the site, of this mass execution, was purchased, by the City of Mankato and named Reconciliation Park, in honor of Amos Owen and his efforts to bring the communities closer together. There is no mention of the event that happened there in 1862. The very large, white stone statue of a Buffalo was dedicated on the site in 1997. The Mankato pow wow has become an annual event with people gathering in Mankato from many states and Canada. The memorial run has become an annual event. The "Education Day" at the pow wow continues to this day. This year, once again, friends and relatives will gather on December 26th to remember and honor the thirty-eight. Waonsida. |
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Here is a prayer that Amos Owen offered for reconciliation. "Grandfather, I come to you this day in my humble way to offer
prayers To the West, I pray to the Horse Nation, and to the North, I pray to
the Elk People. |
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