James Stonewell

In 1862, when Minnesota was still a young state, the people of the Eastern Dakota Nation had been relegated to a reservation on a narrow strip of land along the Minnesota River. Times were hard and Dakota families went hungry. When the U.S. government broke its promises and failed to send treaty payments, some of the Dakota went to war against the white settlers. Many Dakota did not join in, choosing to aid and protect settlers instead. The fighting lasted six weeks and many people on both sides were killed or fled the state. 1600 Dakota were imprisoned in a camp below Fort Snelling in present day Minneapolis. Dakota men were tried in a military court and on December 26, 1862, thirty-eight were hanged in Mankato in the largest mass execution in U.S. history.

June Lorich works at the Mesabi Mine on Minnesota's iron range. After an emotionally and physically abusive marriage, June is determined to make it on her own. But the worsening steel industry forces major cutbacks and June is bumped down to an all-male pit. She becomes the brunt of the other workers' hostilities and is forced to fight against them -- and the man she loves -- to save her job.

A independent film directed by John Hanson.

A independent film directed by John Hanson.