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Community Corner

Hundreds Gather for World Peace and Prayer Day

A Welcome Peace Ride, signing of the Bdote Peace Accord and a World Record Hug attempt mark the second day of World Peace and Prayer Day gatherings in the Mendota area.

World Peace and Prayer Day's second day in the Mendota area was marked by prayer and pageantry, solemn ceremonies and an attempt at a world record hug.

The kicked into high gear Sunday with a Welcome Peace Ride, ceremonies, speakers, family art making, music, the signing of the Bdote Peace Accord and Mendota's contribution to a world record hug.

Watching the Peace Riders and the signing of the peace accord was a highlight for many.

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World Peace and Prayer Day was started in 1996 by Chief Arvol Looking Horse, a Lakota/Dakota/Nakota spiritual leader. Each year it moves to a new location as part to spread its of “All Nations, All Faiths, One Prayer.”

This year's events are being held at the grounds of on Sibley Memorial Highway, as well as Historic Fort Snelling and preservation site. The church, site of most of the activities, is close to where the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers meet, called “Bdote” in the Dakota language.

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“Peace Riders,” completing The Tailfeather Woman Horse Ride from Pickerel Lake in South Dakota to Fort Snelling, arrived in Mendota with the sacred fire on Saturday. They then rode to Fort Snelling via the Mendota Bridge Sunday afternoon. The fire was lit Saturday and then taken to the church grounds to burn throughout the rest of the events.

Leaders from local and national communities then signed the peace accord before a large gathering of witnesses, which was followed by a modest attempt at a world record record hug.

World Peace and Prayer Day events continue Monday and Tuesday.

Monday's schedule include cleansing of the grounds by Maori relatives, an all-day conference: "Fire, Water, Silence" with international guests speaking, lunch, family art-making from 1 to 5 p.m. and evening cultural sharing and storytelling.

Tuesday's events include a youth prayer, offering to the fire, a gift exchange, silent prayer, a feast and a final cleanup.

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