September 2022

CherryRoad Media The peace of the Minnesotan prairie can be eerie. During the golden hour, as the sun pulls brilliant hues of red; orange; yellow; and green from the earth, a light breeze dances through the native grass, whispering the words of those who once walked the land. On Sept 8, dedicated historians and nature enthusiasts alike, huddled beneath the shade of the Birch Coulee Battlefield picnic grounds to bask in the Battlefield’s rich history.

Dakota Wicohan celebrated 20 years of dedicated work in sharing Dakota language and lifeways with youth and families in Southwest Minnesota. A celebration dinner and Kahomni (Round Dance) was held at Jackpot Junction Casino on Saturday, Sept. 10. Community members, elders, youth, families and allies joined in the celebration which featured the next generation of community leaders and changemakers. Twenty community leaders over 20 Days have been featured on the organization’s social media platforms Facebook and Instagram. This next generation of leaders who have participated in Dakota Wicohan over the years are now teaching and serving their communities and their families in various ways, carrying on the Dakota language and knowledge into the future.

Darby Nelson, a teacher, legislator, author, and defender of Minnesota’s waterways, passed away earlier this year in January. His book “For Love of a River: the Minnesota” was the pick for the county-wide reading program called “One Book, One County.” Thanks to a very generous donation from Darby’s wife, Geri, the libraries in Lamberton, Morgan, Redwood Falls, and Wabasso were able to offer free copies of the book to any and all Redwood County residents who wished to read it. In fact, there are a few free copies left at the libraries, for any who are interested. The idea behind the program was simple. Pick up a free copy, and once you finished reading the book, you could pass it on to a friend or neighbor, or keep it for yourself and add it to your personal library at home.

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