A group of New Ulm residents gathered to show support for the Dakota Reconciliation and Healing Horse Riders traveling through the town on Christmas Eve. The riders, part of the Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Horse Ride, entered New Ulm from Sleepy Eye and traveled through the town before leaving on Highway 68 towards Courtland. This was only the second time the Dakota Riders had traveled through New Ulm in nearly 20 years.
Around 50 members of the Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing riders stayed in New Ulm for two nights at Turner Hall, while their horses were housed at the Brown County Fairground. Local volunteers, led by Colleen Hokenson, arranged the stay for the riders and organized a special film screening at Turner Hall about the 2007 Dakota 38+2 Ride. The public was invited to participate in a focus group about the Dakota Ride and its significance in the New Ulm area.
The Dakota Riders concluded their journey at Reconciliation Park in Mankato on December 26th. Local residents, such as Linda Huhn and Rebecca DeMarais, shared their personal connections to the history of the conflict and the Dakota Riders. The community of New Ulm showed strong support for the riders, with hundreds of spectators cheering them on as they passed through the town.
