“Tell our friends that we were the first to leave this world, yet they will also follow this same path in the future. I expect to travel directly to the house of the Creator, and to be happy when I get there.” Red Otter, Lakota Nation

 

While this this story is not related to anything relevant in the development of the Ohio Country among Indians&White Settlers, the historical and human lessons are completely intermingled. This is a story of 38 Lakota Indians who were executed during the U.S. Dakota War of 1862. 

The war started when Indian agents withheld food and supplies guaranteed under treaty with the Dakota people, which was part of an effort to force the Dakota off their homeland. Hundreds died during the war that lasted a little over a month. 

More than 300 Dakota warriors were sentenced to death, but after public outcry by religious leaders over the proposed executions, President Abraham Lincoln signed the death warrants of 38 men.

On Dec. 26, 1862, they were hanged in Mankato. It remains the largest single-day mass execution in U.S. history! Two more Dakota chiefs were executed two years later.

Troops also removed 1,700 Dakota people, mostly women and children, from Lower Agency to Fort Snelling in November 1862. Many incarcerated Dakota women and children died of cold and hunger. This film is immensely well done and is a living testament/lesson for all of us. I hope you find this in your interest in making a positive attempt of being properly informed on the historical relations between all of us. Thank you for watching. 

 

© 2024, Mark Grago. All rights reserved.