World Peace and Prayer Day Could Bring International Event to Mendota Heights Area

Could the world’s biggest hug happen near the Mendota Bridge later this month? For planners of events surrounding World Peace and Prayer Day, that goal is one of many during four days of ceremonies, cultural gatherings, educational speakers and prayer scheduled for June 18-21 in the Bdote area, which is part of the Fort Snelling area.

World Peace and Prayer Day is Tuesday, June 21.

Planning is underway to develop not only meaningful experiences for visitors in the preceding days, but to take care of the massive logistical details necessary for the undertaking.

World Peace and Prayer Day began in 1996 as an initiative of Chief Arvol Looking Horse, a Lakota/Dakota/Nakota spiritual leader.

Every year, it moves to a new location as part of its mission, “All Nations, All Faiths, One Prayer.” Some of its past locations include Ireland, South Africa and Japan.

Because it has never been held in an urban center before, there’s no way to predict turnout, said organizer Stephanie Smith, a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize who is serving the World Peace and Prayer Day committee in helping orchestrate the activities. Event turnout in past years has ranged from a few hundred to thousands.

The events location will encompass “Bdote,” a word from the Dakota language indicating the area around where the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers meet. The location is sacred to the Dakota people, and extends into places such as preservation site in Mendota Heights and Cold Water Springs.

The area has been a meeting place and the site of meaningful events such as treaty signings and burials for hundreds of years, and Smith described it as a natural location for people to come together.

A group of Peace Riders has already set out on horseback from a place in South Dakota, ironically called , to travel to Fort Snelling. The ride honors the history of Tail Feather Woman, who oral tradition says survived an attack by the Cavalry and received a vision of the Big Drum Ceremony that would bring peace and blessings.

Arrival of the Peace Riders at on June 18 is scheduled to coincide with the kick-off of activities both formal and informal including lighting of a sacred fire, cultural dances, presentations, music, crafts, ceremonies and inter-faith prayer that will continue through Tuesday. The event is advertised at no cost to participants, drug- and alcohol-free, and open to families.

Participants will attempt to orchestrate the world’s biggest hug and set a Guinness World Record on June 19. That will take place on the Mendota Bridge between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Smith said.

A silent prayer and walk is scheduled for all day Tuesday, and the events will close with a Prayer in Four Directions at Cold Water Springs.

Mendota Heights-area cities are keeping a watchful eye on preparations for the event.

Mendota Heights Mayor Sandra Krebsbach said the main concern is the safety of visitors as well as neighboring residents, particularly if events occur on Mendota Bridge itself. “There still are pieces that need to come into place.”

However, she said that entities including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, county government and the cities are in communication with planners to work out the practicalities.

“We have a very good relationship with the Native American community and that relationship continues,” said Krebsbach.

The Bloomington Daymakers Rotary Club is the official event sponsor, through which things like insurance will be run through, Smith said.

Smith emphasized that planners want to include residents from the area, and it’s not just an event for Native Americans.

“We want people to come, and not just, after the fact, read about it in the paper," said Smith. "I think it would be a missed opportunity to be a part of something absolutely beautiful, and we warmly invite people from Mendota Heights, Lilydale and Mendota to come and be a part of this.”