Full Moon: history repeats itself

we have been in times like these before

This map of Bde Óta Othúņwe/Innížaska Othúņwe is by Dakota artist Marlena Myles, who has allowed me to share her work. Find it at https://marlenamyl.es. For translating the Dakota language included above, try this Dakota language app (links to article about app).

Welcome to the Full Moon Post, a continuation of longer piece of work and therefore other full moon posts have led us here. This is the forgiveness side of the lunation. As I have said before, forgiveness is not for others, it is for ourselves, it doesn’t absolve sins, it absolves the tensions of holding on to what has happened in the past. I discuss the karma I am writing about here in Minnesota, my ancestors and my intentions back in October of 2022. This particular piece takes up the beginning of the US-Dakota War and how the forces of greed, hatred, and delusion were at play. I am so grateful for your time and attention.

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By most accounts, the U.S. Dakota War of 1862 began with a scene in the warehouse of the Lower Sioux Agency.

Things had changed for the Bdewakantunwan and Wahpekute bands of Dakota since the treaties of Traverse des Sioux and Mendota. The influx of settlers with their homesteads scattered across the countryside meant they were no longer welcome on their hunting grounds, and besides game was scarce after over-predation and long drought. Their means of self-sufficiency had been taken from them, and tensions were high. The US government was engaged in the war with the south and were neglecting the promises made at the above mentioned treaties.