Governor Mark Dayton’s Statement Commemorating the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862
(Saint
Paul) – In commemoration of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, Governor Mark
Dayton released the following statement calling for tomorrow to be a Day
of Remembrance and Reconciliation in Minnesota:
August
17, 1862 marked a terrible period in Minnesota’s history. The first
victims of the “U.S.-Dakota War of 1862” lost their lives on that day,
150 years ago. The ensuing attacks and counter-attacks killed hundreds
more U.S. soldiers, Dakota braves, conniving traders, and innocent
people. Tragically, those deaths started a vicious cycle of hate
crimes, which continued long after the war was ended.
The
events leading to those atrocities actually began before 1862. The
United State Government, through its agents in the new State of
Minnesota, either persuaded, deceived, or forced the state’s long-time
inhabitants from Dakota and Ojibwe Indian tribes to give up their lands
for promises of money, food, and supplies. Many of the government’s
promises were repeatedly broken.
The
displaced Dakota and Chippewa tribes watched newly arrived settlers
claim the lands that had been theirs. They were denied their treaty
payments of money and food, which resulted in starvation for many of
their children and elderly. Often, when annuity payments did finally
arrive, they were immediately plundered by some dishonest officials and
traders.
On August 17, 1862, a group of Dakota braves attacked and killed five new settlers at Acton in Meeker County. The Dakota community was not unanimous in the decision to go to war; some of them helped the settlers. Nonetheless, the war began. Atrocities were committed by combatants on both sides against combatants and noncombatants alike. Hundreds of people were killed. Many more Indian and immigrant lives were ruined. And the lives of Minnesotans were altered for the next 150 years.
On August 17, 1862, a group of Dakota braves attacked and killed five new settlers at Acton in Meeker County. The Dakota community was not unanimous in the decision to go to war; some of them helped the settlers. Nonetheless, the war began. Atrocities were committed by combatants on both sides against combatants and noncombatants alike. Hundreds of people were killed. Many more Indian and immigrant lives were ruined. And the lives of Minnesotans were altered for the next 150 years.
The
war ended, but the attacks against innocent Indian children, women, and
elderly continued. They were even encouraged by the Governor of
Minnesota.
On
September 9, 1862, Alexander Ramsey proclaimed: "Our course then is
plain. The Sioux Indians of Minnesota must be exterminated or driven
forever beyond the borders of the State. . . .”
"They
must be regarded and treated as outlaws. If any shall escape
extinction, the wretched remnant must be driven beyond our borders and
our frontier garrisoned with a force sufficient to forever prevent their
return."
A Minnesota newspaper chimed in, “We have plenty of young men who would like no better fun than a good Indian hunt.”
A Minnesota newspaper chimed in, “We have plenty of young men who would like no better fun than a good Indian hunt.”
I
am appalled by Governor Ramsey’s words and by his encouragement of
vigilante violence against innocent people; and I repudiate them. I
know that almost all Minnesotans, living today, would be just as
revolted. The viciousness and violence, which were commonplace 150
years ago in Minnesota, are not accepted or allowed now.
Yet
hostile feelings do still exist between some Native Americans and their
neighbors. Detestable acts are still perpetrated by members of one
group against the other. Present grievances, added to past offenses,
make it difficult to commemorate the past, yet not continue it.
I
call for tomorrow, the 150th anniversary of August 17, 1862, to be “a
Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation in Minnesota.” I ask everyone to
remember that dark past; to recognize its continuing harm in the
present; and to resolve that we will not let it poison the future.
To
everyone who lost family members during that time, I offer my deepest
condolences for your losses. I ask you especially to help lead us to
better attitudes and actions toward others.
To honor the American soldiers, Dakota people, and settlers who lost their lives in that war, I order that all state flags shall be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on August 17, 2012.
To honor the American soldiers, Dakota people, and settlers who lost their lives in that war, I order that all state flags shall be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on August 17, 2012.
And
I urge everyone participating in the events commemorating this 150th
Anniversary to practice not only remembrance, but also reconciliation.
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