KarenMusserNortman
  • Home
  • Frannie Shoemaker Mysteries
  • The Time Travel Trailer Series
  • Mystery Sisters
  • Karen's Blog
  • Large Print and Audible
  • The Newsroom
  • Coming Events
  • Borrow My Books-KU
  • Camping (when it isn't murder)
  • Giveaways and Stuff
  • About the Author

A Clash and Blend of Cultures

9/24/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Record breaking heat notwithstanding, members of numerous Native American tribes gathered this weekend for the 45th annual Mankato Powwow.  The event is held at Land of Memories Park, also called Reconciliation Park, in Mankato--the site of the largest mass execution in US history. In 1862, 38 Dakota Sioux were hanged for their part in the Sioux uprising. That uprising, where over 400 white settlers died, was the result of another treaty broken by the US government, and the loss of land in exchange for poverty on a reservation. And on it goes. But the spirit of reconciliation has resulted in this event and sacred place. We watched the Grand Entry and I was particularly fascinated by the veteran color guard, all Native Americans, marching with the same dance step as the traditionally garbed men, women, and children. A wonderful example of cultural blend.

That traditional regalia has to be especially uncomfortable in the heat but it didn't seem to slow any of the dancers down. One man carried a staff with 38 feathers in honor of the men who died in this place. Drum groups surrounded the arena and the beat accented the chants and tinkle of bells sewn on much of the apparel.
Vendors around the outside of the arena sold Native jewelry, art work, wood carvings, and clothing. Food stands provided everything from frybread and Indian Tacos to barbecue, shaved ice and kettlecorn.

An added bonus for me was meeting Timya Owen. Timya is from Minneapolis and he husband's family has been instrumental in organizing this event. She works in sports media management but is also president of the Minneapolis chapter of Sisters in Crime, a group of women mystery writers. She was one of my first readers to contact me about my books and has been very supportive since. She and her group are working on an anthology of Minnesota stories to be published next year called The Dark Side of the Loon.

We did not last much past the Grand Entry. I have never done well in heat, and the older we get, the more taxing it is. But it is a wonderful event, emphasizing both a dark stain on our history that we should always be mindful of and the hope of reconciliation.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Some random thoughts about writing, camping, and eating.

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly