The Makatoh Reconciliation ride originally began in 2008 and was formerly known as 38+2 Reconciliation Ride intended to honor the memory of the 38 Dakota men executed in Mankato on Dec. 26, 1862, following the U.S.-Dakota War. Another goal of the ride is to promote healing between Dakota and non-Dakota people.

No ride was held in 2023, following the death of Lakota spiritual leader Jim Miller, who started the rides. In 2024, the ride became the Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Ride. Each year, Dakota riders travel on horseback from Fort Thompson on the Crow Creek Reservation in South Dakota to Reconciliation Park in Mankato. This is a journey of 330 miles over 17 days.

It is only in recent years the Dakota have chosen to ride through New Ulm. The Dakota riders usually bypassed New Ulm in the early years. In 2024, the Dakota horse riders not only rode through New Ulm, but they also agreed to spend two nights in the town.

John Kellen, a member of the Makotah riders hosting committee, said no one knew what to expect in 2024, but the New Ulm community showed up in full support and were strong hosts. Building off the success of last year, the Makotah riders requested to stay in New Ulm during this years ride and the hosting committee agreed to help again. The 2025 Reconciliation Ride followed nearly the same route and schedule as last year.

Delrae St. Cloud (left) and Isaiah Keeble prepare to start the New Ulm leg of the Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Horse Ride. The two young men have ridden nearly 200 miles of the 300 mile trip from Crow Creek Reservation to Reconciliation Park in Mankato.

The riders reached Sleepy Eye on Tuesday, Dec. 23 and were then transported the horses by trailer to New Ulm. The horses spent the night at Brown County fairgrounds. The riders were transported to the Community Center in New Ulm to spend the night.

A special Dakota dinner was held at the Community Center on Tuesday. After the dinner, there will be another screening of the “Dakota 38+2” documentary.

Christmas Eve morning, the riders and horses returned to Sleepy Eye to restart the ride. Around noon, the Makatoh Reconciliation riders reached New Ulm, entering the city on County Road 27. The riders stopped in the parking lot near the soccer fields to switch out riders and horses.

Most the Makatoh riders are teenagers or younger. Eighteen-year-old Delrae St. Cloud said of the 330 miles on the journey from the Crow Creek Reservation to Mankato, he estimated he had ridden 200 miles on horseback.

He admitted it was exhausting, but it was worth it to honor his ancestors. In addition, he said the weather conditions were better for riding this year. Aside from some difficulties on the first day of the trip, things had gone well. St. Cloud said leaving Crow Creek Reservation, it had been cold and the horse trailers got stuck in the ditch, but they had managed to keep the schedule. The weather was warmer coming into New Ulm this year compared to 2024.

Isiah Keeble, 19, agreed this year’s weather was much better for riding horses. He was happy to come through New Ulm again. For him, the ride meant carrying on his people’s way of life and culture. It was also a way of showing his people were still here. The main part of the trip was about paying respect to their elders and working on forgiveness and reconciliation.

Before riding through New Ulm, the Makatoh riders decided to make another change from last year. In addition to switching out the horses for the New Ulm leg of the journey, they decided to add more.

Kellen said last year, only three riders on horseback rode through New Ulm. This year, they wanted to have more animals and riders head through town.

In another twist from last year, non-native riders were allowed to join the New Ulm leg of the journey. Mandy Smith, Sierra Theis and Jason Brown met with the riders at the soccer fields with their own animals

Smith said to be included in the ride was more than an honor, it was a meaningful experience that she will never fort.

Kris Schneeberg (left) and John Arnoldy waiting in a parking off 5th North Street with special signs to welcome the Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Horse Ride into New Ulm. The yellow double-sided signs were distributed by the hosting committee for the riders.

Kellen said Makotah riders agreed to let the non-native riders join as an act of solidarity, because the whole point of the ride is reconciliation.

In total, 11 horses, one mule and their riders traveled through New Ulm starting on 5th North Street, heading to Broadway.

Members of the Makatoh Reconciliation Ride host committee were positioned along the route. The members had passed out double-sided yellow signs to those welcoming the riders. One side of the sign was in English and the other was in Dakota and read: “My Relatives, Welcome! Take Strength!”

Kris Schneeberg and John Arnoldy stood in the Sunset Apartments parking lot off 5th North Street. The two men were among the first New Ulm citizens to greet the riders as they came into New Ulm. Arnoldy had a second sign he made himself, reading “Seventh Generation, we you thank,” also translated into English and Dakota.

Throughout the route, there were several New Ulm citizens gathered to watch the riders pass through town. At Broadway, the riders traveled south through the city toward Courtland. The ride stopped for the night in Courtland. The riders and animals were again transported back to New Ulm to stay a second night.

The Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Horse Rider travel down 5th North Street Hill, Wednesday, Dec. 24.

Christmas Day, the Makatoh ride resumed from Courtland and will conclude, Friday, Dec. 26, in Mankato at Reconciliation Park.

John Arnoldy of New Ulm stands along North 5th Street holding up a sign welcoming the Makatoh Riders into the community.

The Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Horse Ride travel down Broadway, Wednesday, Dec. 24 as spectators watch from the sidewalk.

The Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Horse Ride reached Broadway and Center Street, Wednesday afternoon. The 17 day ride concludes Friday, Dec. 26 in Mankato.