The Cheyenne River Youth Project has announced three important events scheduled for April and May at its East Lincoln Street campus in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. These include the Native-led nonprofit organization’s annual Easter Dinner & Egg Hunt, the April Birthday Party at The Main, and the annual Garden Blessing.
The Easter Dinner and Egg Hunt will take place on Thursday, April 17 at the Cokata Wiconi (Center of Life) Teen Center. Scheduled for 4-7 p.m., this free event is open to community members of all ages.
“We’ll have dinner first, and then we’ll host the Easter Egg Hunt for ages 14 and under,” said Jerica Widow, CRYP’s programs director. “We are grateful to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe’s Indian Child Welfare Program for partnering with us to make this special evening possible.”
On Friday, April 25, children ages 4-12 and their family members will enjoy the April Birthday Party at CRYP’s youth center for younger children, affectionately known as “The Main.” Scheduled for 4-6 p.m., the party is designed to recognize all April birthdays and give the kids an opportunity to celebrate together.
“Our theme for the April party is ‘Calling All Fairy Tale Creatures,’” said Hayley Dupris, The Main’s programs manager. “It will be an evening filled with sweet treats, games and prizes, and every child will go home with a gift.”
Dupris noted that the staff will be serving taco salad and root beer floats, and games will include crowd favorites such as “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” “Guess How Many Gumdrops” and Bingo. Party-goers also will enjoy a “Wanted” photoshoot and an exciting outdoor scavenger hunt.
Finally, at 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, CRYP will host its annual Garden Blessing ceremony in the Winyan Toka Win (Leading Lady) Garden. Community members of all ages are welcome to attend the free public event, which also will include a round dance and community dinner.
Also made possible with support from CRST’s Indian Child Welfare Program, the Garden Blessing ceremony acknowledges the start of a new growing season on the Cheyenne River reservation, and youth are given prominent roles. Last year, the children faced the four directions, smudged in a circle, poured water and shared their thoughts about the garden and the food that grows here.
The Winyan Toka Win Garden is the beating heart of CRYP’s summer programming. From May until September, staff, youth and volunteers focus on planting, nurturing and harvesting crops; tending to fruit trees and shrubs; learning about soil health and water conservation; processing and preserving food; and connecting with traditional foods, medicines and life ways.
Throughout the season, the garden serves a living classroom — for the younger children in The Main’s Garden Club, and for the teens who are participating in CRYP’s Native Food Sovereignty Internship Program. What’s more, the garden and its adjoining orchard produce thousands of pounds of fresh, nutritious produce each year.
“Although we did not add this land to our campus until 2000, the garden has been producing food for our community since 1975,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s founder and chief executive officer. “So, in 2025, we are honored to commemorate the 50th birthday of this precious piece of land and the three generations of Lakota people who have contributed to its thriving.”
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.