November is Native American Heritage Month, and at the Cheyenne River Youth Project, the calendar is full of activities that celebrate Lakota culture and life on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Special activities include a Young Women’s Healing Camp, end-of-season garden blessing, “Thanks for Kids” community feast, multiple teen internships and robust cultural programming with artist-in-residence Dallas Chief Eagle.
According to Julie Garreau, CRYP’s founder and chief executive officer, all of these activities are indeed a celebration of Lakota culture — but she also emphasizes that this type of programming goes on year-round at the nonprofit, grassroots, Native-led organization. Every month is Native American Heritage Month.
“We honor our rich Lakota culture every day, year round, because cultural health is essential for our community’s long-term well-being,” Garreau said. “In everything we do, we acknowledge our ancestors, revitalize our language and traditional lifeways and lift up our children. It’s hard work, but it’s healing work.”
The Young Women’s Healing Camp, or Wikoskalaka Api’chiyapi Wichoti in Lakota, took place Nov. 8-10 at Wakanyeja Kin Wana Ku Pi (The Children Are Coming Home), CRYP’s new property adjacent to sacred Bear Butte. The camp brought six young women ages 13-18 and four staff members together with Lakota matriarchs to learn about self-care, traditional healing songs and their own healing journeys as well as to build intergenerational connections for the future.
After setting up their cold-weather tents, lighting the wood stoves and enjoying a light lunch upon their Friday arrival, the group went to the Oyate Health Center in Rapid City, South Dakota, for Inipi, the sweat lodge ceremony. On the way, the youth learned about protocol, how to pray, the history of Inipi and how the ceremony came to the Lakota people.
“They all did great in the ceremony and mentioned how much better they felt afterward,” Widow remembered. “One young woman said she felt clean, light and refreshed.”
That evening, the group retreated from the freezing temperatures into the warmth of their tents, and Programs Assistant Trainee Sarah Berndt shared stories of the North Star, the Lakota people’s creation and the great race. The tents were close together, so Widow said everyone could hear her easily from the comfort of their own lodging.
“Sarah really stepped up in this trip,” she added. “It’s so rewarding for us when our youth trainees have the confidence and initiative to take on new roles.”
On Saturday, the CRYP group met with Lakota elders Manny and Renee Iron Hawk. Renee Iron Hawk talked with the young women about traditional women’s roles, the Ishnati (becoming a woman) ceremony, traditional motherhood and how modern women’s roles have changed. She taught them how to introduce themselves in Lakota as well.
“We also shared why we enjoy being women,” Widow said. “Most of the youth said they want to be different from those who have raised them, they enjoy being able to express their emotions, they enjoy knowing they will be in charge of their homes, and they look at their monthly cycles differently knowing they can be in ceremony each month at that time.”
That evening, the group played icebreaking activities in camp, including a guessing game and Two Truths and a Lie, and they engaged in more storytelling. They woke early on Sunday morning to break down camp and hike to the summit of Mato Paha (Bear Mountain), also known as Bear Butte.
“We told the girls to push themselves, stay in prayer and put out good energy for those who are not able to make the hike,” Widow said. “When we descended, we had lunch in Rapid City and returned home to Eagle Butte.”
Next on the list of Native American Heritage Month special events is CRYP’s annual Thanks for Kids Dinner, which will be held at 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21. This free public event will include a home-cooked autumn feast; family activities and door prizes.
This year’s dinner will incorporate cooked turkey and ham, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, bacon and cabbage, baked macaroni and cheese, fry bread, meat and cheese trays and fresh fruit. Guests also will enjoy apple crisp and Julie Garreau’s famous bread pudding.
“While families are with us, they can enjoy coloring and painting together at our different activity stations,” Widow said. “We’ll also have stations for making thank-you cards and friendship bracelets.
“We’re looking forward to sharing this evening with our families, friends and neighbors,” she continued. “It will be a celebration of our beautiful children and our community.”
Next on deck will be a new event on the CRYP calendar: the Garden Wopila Blessing at 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26. Intended to be a ceremonial close to the growing season, the Wopila (thank you) ceremony will express the community’s gratitude to Unci Makhá (Grandmother Earth) for nurturing the people and providing so many thousands of pounds of nutritious food through the Winyan Toka Win (Leading Lady) Garden.
Meanwhile, youth and teen programming continues at the CRYP campus until the end of the month, when the youth project will close its doors to the public so staff and volunteers can focus on preparing to deliver holiday gifts to more than 1,000 children through the Wo Otúh’an Wi (Moon of Giving Away Presents) Toy Drive.
“Our teens have been busy with internships in Art, Native Food Sovereignty and Indigenous Cooking, and those will come to a close on Nov. 22,” Widow shared. “We’ve had Dallas Chief Eagle with us as an artist in residence, and the kids have really enjoyed spending time with him.”
An acclaimed Lakota hoop dancer and instructor, Dallas Chief Eagle shares Lakota arts and culture with with youth of all ages during his time with CRYP. Favorite activities have included learning about wild birds, making jewelry and learning the traditional Lakota value system through “Grandpa Rock” story sharing.
To learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, call (605) 964-8200 or visit www.lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project, founded in 1988, is a grassroots, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a wide variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities that ensure strong, self-sufficient families and communities.