Stories of the Riders

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From Peter Lengkeek

 There are no words describe or explain my personal experience with the ride for the 38. When it first began, the very first year, I did not plan on going but something more powerful had decided for me to go. I called my brother and asked him if he wanted to go, as always he said "let’s go". We pooled our money and had a grand total $ 80.00 and a full tank. I told my wife and my children that we were going to Minn. to catch up to the riders. Now, this is Dec.21 so you can pretty much guess their reaction, I told them I could not explain it but I had to be there and I will return Dec. 27. We left quickly to get ahead of a bad blizzard coming! Leaving my family sad and heartbroken we headed east. I now know why I was supposed to be there. The beautiful people I met these past four years have deeply impacted my life and are now my family. The last time I was with people of this caliber I was in the Marines over seas doing what Marines do best.

 Micante etan wopida Tonka

Wayan Nupa       Hunkpati Dakota     Crow Creek S.D

Dec. 27

The Great Spirit shed a tear that day

As the doomed Santee were led away

 Their death chants hung on the winter breeze

As bystanders watched with gleeful ease

Songs still sung by men so proud

While the hangman readied many a shroud

 Up the steps to the platform high

Their eyes lifted to the noonday sky

 Never again in this world to see their sons and wives

When the ropes of hemp snuffed their lives

 The spirits watched as mothers, wives and daughters wept

While the people of the valleys and plains were swept

 They had fought the fight for equality

For promised payment and commodity

 Their lands were taken, their food was nill

As traders produced a dishonest bill

 We offer apologies for our ancestor’s deeds

And extend a helping hand for future needs

 Yes, the Great Spirit shed a tear that winter day

As 38 brave Dakota were led away

By; a man from Minnesota