Dakota 38+2 Riders return to Madison and DSU

A drum circle was part of the 38+2 event held at DSU in 2019./Dakota State University

Riders with the Dakota 38-plus-2 Memorial Ride are stopping in Madison on Tuesday as part of their annual journey across South Dakota and Minnesota.

Since 2005, riders have made the 320-mile trek on horseback from Lower Brule, South Dakota to Mankato, Minnesota, in memory of 38 Natives hung on December 26th, 1862; two more were hanged in 1865. The ride ends in Mankato, the site of the hangings. The riders’ goal is remembrance and reconciliation for both Native and White people.

Kari Hall, instructor of Exercise Science and Chairperson of the DSU Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, said this annual event is an opportunity for people in the Madison area and DSU students to learn a history lesson that happened right here in this region.

Madison and DSU community members are invited to join the riders at the Trojan Center on the Dakota State University campus for a meal and a program on Tuesday.

Sodexo, the DSU food service provider, will be preparing indigenous meal options for the guests from 5:30 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, and regular menu items will also be available.

Meals for the riders are free, while meals for members of the public will cost twelve-dollars.

Donations for the riders are being accepted, like warm winter clothing items such as blankets or hats and gloves, non-perishable, pre-packaged snacks, or lip balm. Donation boxes are located on campus at the Karl Mundt Library and the Trojan Center.

Tickets are available for pre-sale at this link (https://apps.dsu.edu/forms/general/Meal-Ticket.aspx), or guests can pay at the event.

Several riders and members of the Madison and DSU communities will offer remarks. Also, the Wakpa Ipaksan Singers from Flandreau will sing and have a drum circle.

The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee is co-sponsoring the event, along with assistance from Sodexo, the Community Center, the Native America Student Association at DSU, MAST, and South Dakota Urban Indian Health.

This documentary explains more about the vision and ride: http://www.smoothfeather.com/dakota38/.