Abstract of "Healing History’s Wounds: Reconciliation Communication Efforts to Build Community Between Minnesota Dakota (Sioux) and Non-Dakota Peoples" by Dowlin, Sheryl and Bruce Dowlin

Conflict Consortium Abstract

This article describes the moral conflict that resulted in Minnesota when two incompatible social worlds collided on America’s Frontier in 1862. The hatred and misunderstanding causes by this costly Indian war persist to the present day, but are being ameliorated through long-term reconciliation efforts. The authors describe how a variety of reconciliation episodes have enabled parties to transcend incompatible differences and move to a new rhetorical space where dialogue, "new ceremonies," shared meanings, and shared histories could develop.