The Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Horse Ride, a 330-mile journey honoring the 38 Dakota men executed in 1862 and promoting healing between Dakota and non-Dakota people, traveled through New Ulm for the second consecutive Christmas Eve. Originating in 2008 and renamed in 2024 after the passing of its founder Jim Miller, the ride begins at the Crow Creek Reservation in South Dakota and concludes at Reconciliation Park in Mankato, Minnesota. In recent years, the Dakota riders have chosen to pass through New Ulm, spending two nights there in 2024, where the community warmly welcomed them with special signs and events, including a Dakota dinner and documentary screening.
This year’s ride featured mostly young Dakota riders, with some non-native participants joining the New Ulm leg as a gesture of solidarity. Despite some early challenges, the journey proceeded smoothly with improved weather conditions. The ride through New Ulm was marked by community support and symbolic acts of reconciliation, such as distributing bilingual welcome signs and hosting the riders overnight. The event underscores the ongoing efforts to honor Dakota heritage, foster forgiveness, and strengthen cultural connections.
