Exhibition Opening at St. Peter Hillstrom Museum of Art

Hena Uŋkiksuyapi: A Tribute to the Dakota Mass Execution of 1862

The Hillstrom Museum of Art will present "Hena Uŋkiksuyapi: In Commemoration of the Dakota Mass Execution of 1862" from December 17, 2012, through February 8, 2013. The opening reception is scheduled for Monday, December 17, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Exhibition Overview

"Hena Uŋkiksuyapi," which translates to "we remember those" in Dakota, features a collection of artworks by Dakota and other Native American artists. This exhibition commemorates the tragic mass execution of 38 Dakota men on December 26, 1862, following the Dakota-U.S. War. The war, which lasted from August to December 1862, resulted in significant loss and suffering for the Dakota people.

Featured Artists

The exhibition showcases the works of several notable artists, including:

• Janice Albro
• Joseph J. Allen
• Gordon Coons
• Jerry Fogg
• Erin Griffin
• Jacob Pratt
• Mona Smith
• Robert Two Bulls
• Gwen Westerman (co-curator of the exhibition)

Related Programs and Events

In conjunction with the exhibition, a series of programs have been organized to provide deeper insights and foster community engagement:

Film Screenings

• Dakota 38:
  • December 11, 8 p.m., Wallenberg Auditorium, Nobel Hall of Science, Gustavus Adolphus College
  • January 10, 2013, 7 p.m., Treaty Site History Center, St. Peter

Round Table Discussion

• Moderated by Dakota Elder Dr. Chris Mato Nunpa:
  • Featuring artists and Dakota community members
  • Includes a musical prelude by Dakota Elders performing the Dakota hymn "Lac Qui Parle"
  • Historical discussion of the hymn by Dakota Elder Reverend Sidney Byrd

Lecture

• Kevin Gover, Director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian:
  • January 27, 2013, 3:30 p.m., Alumni Hall, Gustavus Adolphus College

Historical Context

The Dakota-U.S. War of 1862, also known as the Sioux Uprising, was a significant conflict between the United States and several bands of the eastern Dakota (Sioux). The war resulted in the deaths of hundreds of settlers and Dakota people. The mass execution of 38 Dakota men in Mankato, Minnesota, remains the largest one-day execution in U.S. history.

Interesting Statistics

• Largest Mass Execution: The execution of 38 Dakota men on December 26, 1862, is the largest mass execution in U.S. history (source).
• Dakota War Casualties: Approximately 600 settlers and soldiers, and an unknown number of Dakota, were killed during the Dakota War of 1862 (source).
• Dakota Displacement: Following the war, the U.S. government nullified treaties with the Dakota, leading to the displacement of thousands of Dakota people (source).

Conclusion

The "Hena Uŋkiksuyapi" exhibition at the Hillstrom Museum of Art offers a profound opportunity to reflect on a pivotal and tragic moment in American history. Through the powerful works of Dakota and Native American artists, the exhibition honors the memory of those who suffered and perished during the Dakota-U.S. War of 1862. The accompanying programs further enrich the experience, providing historical context and fostering dialogue within the community.

For more information, visit the Hillstrom Museum of Art website.