This summer, five young women from the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation had the opportunity to visit Pipestone National Monument for Founders Day, an annual celebration that incorporates a variety of cultural activities and experiences. The nonprofit Cheyenne River Youth Project arranged the Aug. 23-25 trip for the teens, who ranged in age from 14 to 18.
For more than 3,000 years, native peoples have quarried the red stone at this location to make pipes for prayers and ceremonies. The tradition continues today, making Pipestone a sacred site for many — including the Lakota people.
“For us, connection to land is essential to our long-term health and well-being,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s chief executive officer. “Our Lakota culture is deeply rooted in this connection, so we are dedicated to giving our young people every possible opportunity to visit our sacred places. The land is part of who we are.”
Many of these sacred places lie far from the Cheyenne River reservation, home to four bands of the Lakota Nation. The reservation was established in 1889, when the Great Sioux Reservation was broken up into several smaller reservations, and the people lost access to sites that are critical to their cultural health.
“I’ve never been to Minnesota and didn’t know we had relatives as far away as here,” said Loula, 14. “It’s cool we (Lakota people) are spread out so far.”
“I talked with the young women about the importance of connecting to the land and taking care of it,” said Jerica Widow, CRYP’s programs director, who chaperoned the teens. “Although we are far from home, this is still Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires) land.”
Widow invited teens enrolled in CRYP’s current Native Food Sovereignty and Lakota Culture internships to participate in the August trip, and the youth project opened up the opportunity to teens in the general community as well. The group left Eagle Butte on Friday morning, Aug. 23 and drove five hours to Pipestone, Minnesota.
Founders Day on Saturday, Aug. 24 was a busy one for the Cheyenne River teens. Not only did they have an opportunity to witness quarrying, traditional flute and foodway presentations, they learned how to make an atlatl and engage in target practice.
An atlatl is a spear-throwing device that allows hunters to launch projectiles more than 100 yards at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. This Stone Age technology is powerful and effective, and evidence indicates it has been used for approximately 30,000 years.
While they were at Pipestone, the teens also connected with longtime hoop dancer and culture bearer Jackie Bird, a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Tribe of South Dakota and the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota.
“It was a good experience for the girls to hear teachings from her,” Widow said. “She told the young women how good it was to see them there, since Pte San Win (White Buffalo Calf Pipe Woman), who brought us the pipe and Lakota ceremonies, visited Pipestone long ago.”
Bird told the teens that, as women, they must remember that they are powerful, life givers, and the backbone of the Lakota people; they must remember this in daily life, and walk with intention to help, guide, and carry on the ceremonies. Widow recalled that an eagle made its presence known during Bird’s talking circle and performance, which was powerful for all present.
In addition, the teens had the opportunity to meet and speak with HarmonyStar Straub, a Northern Cheyenne and Oglala Lakota artist who was the final artist in residence of Pipestone National Monument’s summer season. She demonstrated her artwork and shared her traditional knowledge and insights.
The CRYP team asked the teens to write about their experiences throughout the day and during the group debriefing in the evening. The trip had a profound impact on them; in the process of visiting such a significant place and learning about its cultural relevance, they also gained self-confidence and broadened their horizons.
“I’m glad I came on the trip,” said E’von, 18. “It’s important to keep learning. I’ve never been this far from home, but it feels good coming with people I know. The world isn’t so scary.”
Stormy, 17, added, “I like how CRYP takes kids all over. It’s cool we get to go out of state to places I never knew about until now.”
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.