What is the Dakota Music Tour?

It’s no secret among Dakota communities that Indian history is often obscured in the mainstream. In response, the "Dakota Music Tour" (DMT) was formed to bring an enlightening and collaborative mix of Native American music and Western classical music to Dakota and non-Dakota communities. DMT will perform 4 concerts in Minnesota, two in Dakota reservation communities, and two in cities of Mankato and Winona.

DMT will perform in the Lower Sioux and Upper Sioux communities, facilitate public “community chats” that explore the intersection of Dakota history and music. Mankato is the well known site of the largest mass execution in American history when 38 Dakota men were simultaneously hung. DMT and the Mankato Symphony Orchestra aspire to an alternate response by reaching out to the historical town as a place of connection and understanding.

Hosting the Winona DMT concert, in June, will be the Winona-Dakota Unity Alliance (WDUA), a nonprofit formed in 2004 with Winona mayor Jerry Miller and several residents whose mission is to continue the reconciliation process. The final DMT concert in Winona will host Dakota citizens coming from all over the continent, including the Dakota communities in MN, NE, SD and Canada. Please join us!

Anticipated Program

"HONORING KWA'APOGE" by Brent Michael Davids
- Mankato Symphony Orchestra
- Brent Michael Davids, native wood flute
- SATB chorus

TRADITIONAL SONG
- Maza Kute, singers

"TRUMPETING THE STONE" by Brent Michael Davids
- Mankato Symphony Orchestra
- Manny Laureano, trumpet/flugel horn
- SATB Chorus

"BLACK HILLS OLOWAN" by Brent Michael Davids
- Mankato Symphony Orchestra
- Maza Kute, singers

TRADITIONAL SONG
- Maza Kute, singers

"POWWOW SYMPHONY" by Brent Michael Davids
- Mankato Symphony Orchestra
- Cochise Anderson, powwow emcee
- Brent Michael Davids, quartz crystal flute
- Maza Kute, singers
- SATB Chorus
- Traditional Native Dancers