On we go and our next stop is the famous Corn Palace in Mitchell. This is a multi use stadium built back in 1921. It is of a Moorish Revival design and makes an interesting canvas for mural art of, you guessed it, CORN. It is surprisingly detailed work of different scenes of the wild west; its culture, flora and fauna, all topped by the light up, golden domes that are also decorated in corn. Though it is a little corny (haha) it really is quite a magnificent work of art.
When we are there it is a work in progress as the murals are renewed, and the inside is to being revamped to be quite a spectacular venue. The courts have been recently resealed ready for the upcoming Basketball season. There is much activity redoing the entrance with photos of the predicted finished project adorning the walls and it looks like it will be fantastic. The corn murals also surround the inside of the arena, I imagine they have been here for quite a few years as they’re protected from the elements and are just fantastic. We enjoy our time here and the ladies from inside the box office help us with information for the next leg of our journey.
Next stop, Chamberlain, an oasis in the planes. This is a relatively small but vibrant town situated on the banks of another mighty river, the Missouri, and connected by the Highway 16 bridge to its sister town of Oacoma on the other side. Our destination here is the Akta Dakota Museum and Cultural Centre. This is a part of the St Joseph’s Indian School and is such a wonderful detailed look at the history of the Lakota Sioux native to South Dakota. We are here for some hours enjoying the exhibits and learning of the history of the indigenous tribes. The connection of the people to the land, the way of life and the culture are just so connected to all that is natural. Why in the world did a race of people decide that it was OK to invade and destroy this way of life? We have learned along our travels that when white man invaded they decided to eliminate the Bison and it turn the Indians would be destroyed too. They were right and almost succeeded in wiping out a most magnificent beast and an ancient culture, all in the one stroke. It is the same the world over, greed brings war and bloodshed and we state again, when will we ever learn?
We spend a long time talking with an Indian man who is obviously an active leader within the community. He is very knowledgeable and passionate about his people and is all about reconciliation. He rightly believes that without education this can’t be achieved. The young must understand the happenings of the past to move on to the future. By reconciliation he means primarily that his people learn and forgive what has happened in the past to their ancestors, reconciliation with themselves to give healing. He was so wonderful to talk to and we learned so much from him in just a short time. He is a great achiever of his time.
His next adventure on the calender is a growing annual event, the Dakota 38+2 ride. This event has been held since 2005 and is growing in its supporters from all over the world, joining together to try to heal and honor the 38 Dakota men who were ordered to be hung by Abraham Lincoln back on December 26, 1862, the largest ever mass execution in the USA, with many others sent to prison and two more men hung days later.. This ride is the fruition of a dream had by Jim Miller, a powerful spiritual messenger who envisioned this ride of healing and prayer for the Lakota people. It starts on the banks of the Missouri and travels a 330 mile path to Mankato, the scene of the hangings. From the first ride to today there has been no advertising but the word of mouth or “moccasin telegraph’ sees many riders and runners, men and women from different tribes join together with their wonderful horses to make this difficult journey, made more so by extreme weather conditions in December.
The horse is so spiritually significant to the Lakota people. I have always had a connection to the horse as many people do around the world but to this culture they are so important. In talking about this and other ways to make a peaceful future of united peoples, no matter what colour or creed, I was inspired to research more and would suggest that our readers do the same. Just look up Dakota 38 +2 and you will also find the Big Foot Memorial ride, a similar ride of healing for the massacre of 1890 at Wounded Knee of Chief Big Foot, Chief Sitting Bull and his horse and many men. There is a simply made movie that can be viewed for free, Dakota 38 that is well worth the viewing. Both rides are working on the healing for all the descendants of these dark days. Please read and learn. In time I will research more myself. I would like to think that one day I could join this ride but I am probably too soft to handle the conditions but I will add it to the bucket list and put it out there and see what happens in the future. One thing for sure I will follow the progress of these rides in years to follow and hope that the healing process of these wonderful people will be the result. They have been suffering for years and have many social issues today and hopefully events such as these will see a change, a change that must come from within each individual soul.
We have found the whole visit very inspiring and finish with lunch on the banks of the grand Missouri River soaking up the bright sunshine and thinking of how it may have been back in the times when the Indian races were undisturbed and living in harmony with the land and the river. We can’t go back however, today is the day so make it count.
Here We Come World 