The Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Youth Horse Ride, formerly known as the Dakota 38+2 ride, is a ceremonial journey that honors the memory of 38 Dakota men hanged in Mankato in 1862 and two additional Dakota chiefs executed in 1865. Founded by Lakota spiritual leader Jim Miller in 2005, the ride promotes reconciliation, healing, prayer, forgiveness, and love. This year, the ride began on December 12 from Fort Thompson, South Dakota, and will cover approximately 330 miles, passing through several towns including Pipestone, where riders will stop at the Pipestone National Monument and spend the night before continuing to Mankato.

The ride primarily involves youth riders, mostly aged 20 or younger, reflecting a renewed focus on engaging younger generations. The journey concludes on December 26 in Mankato at the historic hanging site, where a public gathering and meal take place. This year, Red Wing Shoes generously donated boots, socks, and caps to support the riders, highlighting community involvement in the event’s mission of healing and remembrance.