Fort Snelling in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Hope
Photographed By McGhiever, June 30, 2023
1. Hope Marker
—Peter Lengkeek, Tribal Chair, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe; US Marine Corps, 1991-98
Peter Lengkeek, citizen of the Hunkpati Dakota Oyate, has long been an advocate for this people, including remembering and honoring his own ancestor who was hanged in Mankato in 1862. He speaks of hope.
These riders, they come from all over. Canada, Montana, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota. There's even a guy here from Austria.
Peter Lengkeek and Mary Herbst at Mankato, December 26, 2009
Courtesy The Free Press, Mankato MN
Lengkeek's ancestor was hanged in Mankato in 1862; Herbst's ancestor was a US Army soldier who stood guard during the hanging.
What we're trying to do here is we're trying to reconcile, unite. Make peace with everyone because that's what it means to be Dakota. To be Dakota means to walk in peace and harmony with every living thing. That is our way.
Riding into Mankato, December 26, 2009
Courtesy The Free Press, Mankato, MN
A journey through December's worst. A journey of hope and resilience.
Each year, horseback riders set out from Lower Brule, South Dakota,
this page online
The groups converge at Reconciliation Park in Mankato on December 26, the anniversary of the day the US military hanged 38 Dakota men in 1862. A few years later, the military executed two Dakota leaders at Fort Snelling. Their legacy is also remembered today.
Peter Lengkeek with his horse, Kota, in Morton, Minnesota, December 24, 2010
Photo from Minnesota Public Radio News.
Erected by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Peace. A significant historical date for this entry is December 26, 2009.
Location. 44° 53.593′ N, 93° 11.13′ W. Marker is in Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. Marker can be reached from Tower Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Marker is at Historic Fort Snelling, on a path between the parking lot and the visitor center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Tower Avenue, Saint Paul MN 55111, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Identity (a few steps from this marker); The Treaty of 1805 (within shouting distance of this marker); Service (within shouting distance of this marker); Travel through 10,000 years of human history
Photographed By McGhiever, June 30, 2023
2. Hope Marker (left) on a path west of the Historic Fort Snelling visitor center
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 59 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
