Dialogues on Dakota War on Dec. 5

The Dialogues program for Dec. 5 is shaping up to be one of our best: A conversation about the Dakota uprising of 150 years ago, its importance in state history and continuing relevance today. This fits in well with the coverage we've been doing since August and which will continue next month with one more package of stories on the Dakota War and its denouement, the execution of 38 Dakota men in Mankato on Dec. 26, 1862.

Joining us for the Dialogues event so far:

Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie

Rep. Dean Urdahl, of Grove City, Minn., who has written books about the war and has called for Congress to repeal the 1863 act that banished the Dakota people from Minnesota.

Olmsted County District Judge and playwright Joe Chase

Tribal elder Sandy Geschick from the Lower Sioux Indian Community near Morton, and hopefully another elder from the Upper Sioux Indian Reservation.

Tom Hosier, of Rochester, historian and president of the Wood Lake Battlefield Preservation Association.

And maybe another guest or two who can talk about that foundational tragedy in Minnesota history. More details to follow, but it's at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday 12/5 in the Rochester Public Library auditorium. Hope you can join us.