Memorial Riders stopping in Ipswich

The Whitestone Hill Healing Ride riders will be stopping in Ipswich on Thursday, Aug. 31.

The riders are on their way to Whitestone Hill State Historic Site, located 23 miles southeast of Kulm, North Dakota.

The Healing Ride commemorates the Sept. 3, 1863 battle when the U.S. Army led by Brigadier General Alfred Sully attacked a Native American encampment at Whitestone Hill. The camp was there to hold annual ceremonies, hunt buffalo and prepare meat for the long winter ahead. 4,000 people were gathered at the hill — many were women, children, and elderly. Nearly 400 were killed that day and many were wounded in the three-day massacre. Military casualties were comparatively light. The Indians also suffered the destruction of virtually all of their property, leaving them nearly destitute for the coming winter.

Since 2020, Dakota descendants, members from other tribes, families and friends gather and ride to remember the fallen.

The ride begins Aug. 28 at Fort Thompson. They will be in Faulkton on Aug. 31 and ride to Ipswich that day. Then the riders will go to Leola on Sept. 1.