We’re pleased to announce that that we have received $125,000 in grant funding from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe’s Tribal Equitable Compensation Act. TECA, which means “new beginning” in Lakota, is a landmark piece of legislation that allows more than $100 million in federal payments to the tribe to compensate for valuable lands lost during and after construction of the Missouri River’s Oahe Dam in the 1960s.
Tribal council ratified TECA in March 2012, and the TECA office began announcing grantees at the end of last year. CRYP’s grant funding comes from TECA Fund 3, which is dedicated to education, health, recreation and social welfare.
According to the nearly 25-year-old, not-for-profit youth organization, the much-needed funding will allow CRYP to hire two youth programs assistants, who will be responsible for developing and delivering year-round programming to 4- to 12-year-old children at The Main youth center and to teens at the Cokata Wiconi teen center. In addition, TECA funding will help cover the sizable utility costs involved in keeping both centers open Monday through Saturday of each week, as well as the essential facility-maintenance costs associated with vandalism and routine wear and tear.
“We’re so grateful for the TECA funding, and for the steadfast support of the Cheyenne River community,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director. “We’ve been honored and proud to provide innovative programs and services to Cheyenne River’s youth and their families, and this generous financial support will allow us to continue providing reliable, safe places to learn, play and grow with positive adult role models who are available on a daily basis. It also will allow us to expand on critical programming in the areas of health and wellness, education, arts, traditional culture and so much more.”
Like so many not-for-profit organizations around the country, the grassroots, native-led organization endured many challenges stemming from the Great Recession. Declining contributions and fewer organizational partners meant operating CRYP facilities with fewer staff members, fewer regularly scheduled programs and reduced open hours.
“Our staff members and volunteers have been so dedicated, and they would work long hours, sometimes seven days a week, to make sure they could provide creative activities and interesting programs as often as possible,” Garreau said. “But we always were aware of how restricted we were with such limited resources, not to mention aware of the danger of staff burnout. Thanks to the TECA funding, we can hire the additional people we need to offer exciting, thoughtfully designed youth and teen programming on a daily basis. And, since the funding will help cover our utilities and maintenance expenses, we can free up additional funds on our side to enhance our Family Services program and our sustainable systems initiatives, which include the 2-acre, naturally grown Winyan Toka Win Garden and the Keya Cafe and Gift Shop at Cokata Wiconi.”
According to Garreau, these are key steps toward meeting the organization’s long-term vision, which staff members hope to attain by 2015. That vision incorporates a fully staffed and fully operational CRYP that can offer a broad range of culturally sensitive, enduring programs and services for Cheyenne River’s children and families. These will be designed to foster self-sufficiency, security and well-being into the future.
“CRYP is unique because it comes from within our own community,” Garreau said. “It’s a truly grassroots effort to take care of our kids and teach them to be proud of themselves and their identity, to ease the daily burdens on their families, and to support the growth of self-sufficient, vibrant communities across our reservation.
“Thanks to the TECA funding, we will be able to provide regular, better coordinated programs that are mutually supportive of children and families,” she added. “We are dedicated to helping our youth be healthier mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Our children are Cheyenne River’s greatest hope for the future, and it’s so inspiring to see our community rally around them through TECA.”