Staff Writer- August von Seth
On Sept. 18th through 20th, the Mdewakanton Association will organize its annual Mahkato Wacipi, a festive event held in Dakota Wokiksuye Makoce Park (Land of Memories Park), Mankato. The event is designed to commemorate the executions of 38 Dakota combatants who fought in the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.
The six-week armed conflict caused hundreds of deaths on both sides, settlers dying in targeted attacks and members of the native population perishing while interned at Fort Snelling and in public mass hangings.
The Mahkato Wacipi is a form of powwow, a social gathering where North American Indigenous peoples come together to celebrate their cultural heritage through song and dance. According to the organizers, the event will feature four opening dance ceremonies: Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.
“There’s a spiritual and sacred component—dances, regalia, ceremony. There’s also an education component. Friday is education day, when all sixth graders in Mankato schools come to learn art, history, skills, and games. It’s celebration, ceremony, and education,” Professor in Environment, Geography, and Earth Science and Co-chair at the President’s Council on Indigenous Relations (P.C.I.R.) Laura Triplett said.
The P.C.I.R. was created in 2021 by former Gustavus President Rebecca Bergman. For five years, Gustavus has arranged bus transportation and facilitated ticket purchases to the Mahkato Wacipi. This year, the college is planning to table in the Education Tent, offering information to visitors about the upcoming Storytelling & Sensemaking public symposium, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 in Alumni Hall. In addition, Dakota Elder Rolette Eastman of Sisseton will host speaking sessions in the tent, an activity made possible by the P.C.I.R.
The symposium is funded by a grant from the Council of Independent Colleges (C.I.C.) and the Lilly Endowment, one of the world’s largest private philanthropic foundations.
“Through the S.A.G.A. grant, people have learned a lot about Gustavus’s history and its relationships with Indigenous relatives, especially Dakota relatives—both those living in the region and those living in exile. People have been involved, learning, and generating ideas about how to make campus more welcoming and how certain habits or structures have been exclusionary,” Triplett said.
According to Triplett, the P.C.I.R. is expected to launch a new initiative titled ‘the year of integration,’ a project intended to integrate knowledge attained through grant work into Gustavus’ “structures, processes, calendars, and habits.”
“I would like to see many offices on campus think more creatively and intentionally about their work. Through the SAGA grant, many offices have come up with good ideas—facilities included. […] None of it is a commitment yet, but our role is to help operationalize those ideas,” Triplett said.
In 1872, American geologist Newton Winchell settled in Minnesota, going on to publish a six-volume scientific publication concerning the U.S. state’s rock formations, minerals, and fossils. It was the first work of its kind in Minnesota.
“In some ways, geology has always been political. Newton Winchell, one of Minnesota’s first geologists, worked in the 1800s accompanied by military forces because he wasn’t necessarily welcome to map quarries or identify valuable rocks. People were living here who hadn’t given permission,” Triplett said. “What I try to do now is identify where politics have shaped the science so we can do better science without ignoring or being swallowed by the political.”
Triplett joined Gustavus’ indigenous relations body two weeks ago. She noted that before being named to the P.C.I.R., she did not have personal or professional relationships with members of the Native American population.
“I’m from Minnesota and have lived on Dakota land my whole life, and I love this place, but I never had the awareness or intention to seek those relationships. I’m thankful for the opportunity now. It’s not easy and the pathway isn’t always clear, so I enter with humility, respect, and patience,” Triplett said.
Highlighting her intention to attend the Mahkato Wacipi on Saturday, Triplett urged students to go to the event.
“Students sometimes hesitate because they worry it will be awkward or they’ll make a mistake, and then they decide not to go. I encourage young adults to push themselves out of their comfort zone. That’s how we make the world better—by choosing humility, respect, and openness. There’s no specific thing I hope each student gets; being present and open allows each person to receive something different,” Triplett said.
Students interested in participating are encouraged to fill out the form linked to the QR code on this page secure a free admissions button valid for the entire weekend.
Complimentary bus transportation is available on Friday, Sept. 18th to the Grand Entry. Registrants who sign up for that option may collect their buttons at 6 p.m. outside Three Flags. Those who would prefer to do so earlier may visit the Chaplain’s Office in Old Main starting Wednesday, Sept. 16th.