Number 128

 Reconciliation Park

If you're not from here, there are three possible reasons why you've heard of Mankato, Minnesota before: (1) When 'Pa' went to the "Big City" in the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Mankato is where he came; (2) The Minnesota Vikings held their pre-season training camp here for over 50 years; or (3) The largest government sanctioned mass execution in US history occurred here on December 26, 1862. On that day 38 Dakota men were hanged because they had been warriors for the losing side of the US - Dakota War of 1862.

The Dakota War of 1862 began in mid-August. It took place on land the European settlers had named Minnesota. Interestingly enough, the name came from the Dakota language - a two word phrase which described one of the Mississippi River's main tributaries: the "mni sota" river. I say "interestingly" because in most every other way, the white leaders and settlers who wanted  the land where the Dakota people lived, viewed the native people with utter contempt. There are a few different stories about what actually lit the match that started the conflict, but what is undeniable is the completely shabby and inhumane way the leaders of European ancestry treated the native people leading up to the conflict. This, despite the existence of treaties that detailed what the US government had agreed to provide the native tribes in exchange for land concessions. It was a violent, bloody affair, and multiple atrocities were committed by people on both sides. It only lasted five weeks, at which time the last of the Dakota warriors surrendered to US troops. Afterwards, 302 Dakota soldiers were condemned to death, although Abraham Lincoln commuted the sentences of 264 of these men. Still, as stated above, 38 Dakota men were hanged for the part they had each allegedly played in the conflict. 

Enough of that. There are many good resources out there if you wish to know the specifics. But my goal here is not to tell the history of the conflict, but rather to write about the efforts of ancestors from both sides who have tried to come together in a spirit of healing. On September 19, 1997 Reconciliation Park was dedicated. It was built on the land where the gallows had been constructed.

Reconcile

by Katherine Hughes

Remember the innocent dead.

Both Dakota and White,

Victims of events they could not control.

Remember the guilty dead.

Both White and Dakota,

Whom reason abandoned.

Regret the times and attitudes

that brought dishonor

to both cultures.

Respect the deeds and kindnesses

that brought honor

to both cultures

Hope for a future

When memories remain.

Balanced by forgiveness

First things first - I am unqualified to accurately tell you what it all means. I know what the words "reconciliation" means, and I know how I feel when I look at the various displays, but I am not an expert. The chances are very high that I may (unintentionally) hurt or anger someone with what I write; but I am moved to proceed, not just to tell you what the people of this area have done to heal old wounds, but because our entire bitterly divided country needs to figure out how to 'reconcile' with each other as we move forward - whoever wins this stupid election next Tuesday.

The first thing you encounter as you walk in is a large 'tented' piece of faux parchment. On one side are the names of the hanged men. On the other side are two poems. One of which is "Reconcile" (above). The second, "A Dakota Prayer" is below. As a person of European heritage, reading the list of names fills me with a nauseous guilt. Not because these men were necessarily innocent of the charges against them - indeed some of them committed heinous acts of violence against other people. But because no one else was punished. Not the White settlers and US soldiers who responded to the conflict with equal amounts of viciousness, and certainly not the US government  authorities whose barbarous treatment of the Dakota people leading up to the conflict was criminally genocidal. Including one, who when told that the Dakota people were starving (because the government hadn't supplied promised funds for the purchase of food), replied "Let them eat grass." In any situation, if you push against a group of people long enough, they will eventually fight back. Really, it's hardly surprising that this conflict occurred. Actually, what's surprising is, considering the way the European settlers treated the Dakota people, that it took so long for them to respond violently.

But more than that, I feel guilt for the entirety of the extermination my ancestors perpetrated upon all First Nation people. The thought that scares me the most is wondering how I would have felt, had I been alive then, as opposed to now. Would I, as a White person stood with my native brothers and sisters to protest the injustices being perpetrated upon them? I doubt it. It's nice to think I would have been right in there, fighting for their basic human rights. Unfortunately, I would have probably been just like the vast majority of European Americans and looked upon the Dakota people as "savages" and "less than human." After all, for the last 50 years or so, I have patted myself on the back for viewing all people as my equals, deserving of equal treatment; while turning a blind eye, over and over, to the systemic racism that still permeates our culture. I'm sure the White settlers that were moving onto the land taken from the Dakota people, thought they were good and decent people. I bet they were busy patting themselves on their backs for doing the "Lord's work by 'civilizing' the native peoples."

Further on, you will come to a large buffalo. It was carved from a 67 ton piece of local Kasota limestone. Not only is it impressive, it is also slightly intimidating - especially when you look at it head on. I wish I could say more, for I'm sure that it's symbolically important, but I just don't know anything specifically. It is my understanding that many of Native American cultures rever the buffalo. Certainly it made me think of the way my ignorant ancestors did their bloody best to hunt the animal into extinction.

There's a bit of a winding path you can walk, and a few different things you can stop and read, too. If you look carefully you will see the remains of tributes that people have left over the years - in much the same way that people have left things behind at the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington D.C. But far and away, the part of the park that speaks to me more than anything else, is the bench that sits in front of the list of condemned Dakota men. For it embodies the entire purpose of Reconciliation Park. Carved into its side are the words: "Forgive Everyone Everything." Though it's a very hard thing to do, it's a beautiful way to try and look forward. Maybe back then, I would have been just as ignorant as the other settlers, but I'm not now. I am able to witness and acknowledge the horrible errors of my ancestors. Maybe in the same way, 100 years from now, my ancestors will be able to witness and acknowledge my sins; as they strive to make the world a better and more peaceful place for the people of their future. Peace everyone.

Dakota Prayer

by Eli Taylor

Grandfather, Father, Creator

Look down upon us

Whatever works we do

in a humble way

In the future, when the children

see them, they will understand

And have knowledge

For this reason, here at this

gathering place, we have come

Have pity on us and look!! Make us

live in friendship, as a community!!