CRYP has announced that it will host two free Halloween-themed events this month at Cokata Wiconi (Center of Life). A special edition of “Halloween Basketball” for teens is scheduled for this Friday, Oct. 19, and a Halloween Carnival for the entire community will take place next Friday, Oct. 26.
The Halloween Basketball festivities begin at 5 p.m. on Oct. 19. Youth ages 13-18 will be able to play ball in the full-size gymnasium until 8 p.m., and then they’ll enjoy a DJ dance with Ethel Morgan providing music and karaoke. The event will conclude at 11 p.m.
The Halloween Carnival, scheduled for 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 26, also will take place at Cokata Wiconi. Held in conjunction with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe’s Indian Child Welfare Program, the event will incorporate hayrides, musical chairs, a costume contest and Halloween fishing. All ages are welcome to this family-friendly celebration.
CRYP’s Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count) Art Interns will play an important role in both events. During the DJ dance, they’ll be conducting a Halloween-themed “Blood Splatter” art project, using different types of tempura paint to create what is known as splatter art.
“They’re most excited to use glow-in-the-dark paints for this project,” says Valerie Siqueiros, youth programs coordinator. They’re hoping to display their finished piece during the Halloween Carnival a week later.”
In another fun nod to the Halloween season, the teen art interns will offer zombie makeup tutorials so a Zombie King and Queen can be crowned during the dance. Then, at the Halloween Carnival the following Friday, the teen interns will provide face-painting services and do a variation of the splatter-art project with the younger children.
To stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on Facebook (/LakotaYouth), Twitter (@LakotaYouth) and Instagram (@waniyetuwowapi).
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.