In remote north-central South Dakota, facilities for large-scale group meetings, special events, workshops, seminars and sports camps are in short supply. That’s why the Cheyenne River Youth Project in Eagle Butte continues to make its state-of-the-art, 26,000-square-foot Cokata Wiconi teen center available to other organizations; what’s more, rental fees for the facilities can be covered through scholarships funded by Alexandria, Virginia-based Running Strong for American Indian Youth.
The name Cokata Wiconi means "Center of Life" in the Lakota language, and according to CRYP Executive Director Julie Garreau, the nearly 25-year-old, not-for-profit youth organization always had a big vision for the 2006 facility.
"Of course we wanted to have a teen center to accommodate the kids who were outgrowing our programs for 4- to 12-year-olds at The Main youth center," Garreau said. "But our vision went beyond that. We have always intended Cokata Wiconi to serve as a gathering place, and as a key resource, for community organizations and groups here on the Cheyenne River reservation and throughout South Dakota’s West River country."
While CRYP relies on rental fees to help support its ongoing programming, services and day-to-day operations, Garreau said staff members also recognize that other community groups, particularly not-for-profits, might not have room in their budgets for such fees. Enter Running Strong, which generously has provided the funds for building-rental scholarships.
"If any event organizers or group leaders are interested in renting our facilities and want to find out if they’re eligible for the scholarship program, all they need to do is give us a call, describe their groups and outline their needs, and we’ll come up with a plan that works for everyone."
Cokata Wiconi’s facilities include a full-size gymnasium, a formal dance studio, a large library, a computer lab, a classroom and the Keya Cafe, which provides Internet access and a commercial kitchen. CRYP also has a large movie screen and projector for presentations. Groups may rent all or some of the available facilities, depending on their events’ parameters. The nearly 5,000-square-foot Main youth center also is available for rental.
In the last year, the Running Strong scholarships have allowed the grassroots youth project to accommodate a variety of local groups who wouldn’t have otherwise been able to conduct their classes, camps and special events.
First, Four Bands Community Fund hosted its six-week CREATE Class at Cokata Wiconi; the course teaches financial literacy skills and gives attendees an opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship through such tasks as writing a business plan. Participants included teen interns in the “Power of Four” program as well as members of the general public.
In addition, Cokata Wiconi hosted the Hamilton Basketball Camp for teens; Bonnie’s Quilts sewing classes, which taught youth and adults how to sew and make Lakota star quilts; the USDA Summer Youth Camp, which teaches young people how to prepare fresh, healthy meals and how to establish good eating habits; Native Step and a ballet class, both of which made use of the dance studio; and Marcella Gilbert, who used The Main youth center’s facilities for a garden potluck.
A Running Strong building-rental scholarship also allowed CRYP to assist a local organization suffering in the aftermath of a devastating fire. The local Head Start program used CRYP facilities for much of the year after their building burned down. It conducted hearing checks at the youth project’s East Lincoln Street campus, and Cokata Wiconi served as a safe recreational space for the Head Start youth participants to play.
Even after Head Start moved into its new building, CRYP rented the gymnasium to the organization this winter so it could hold recess during excessively cold weather. And, the youth project rented the Keya Cafe to the Head Start program from White Horse so it could serve lunch.
“We’re thrilled with these rentals, because we do firmly believe that Cokata Wiconi should be a shared resource in our community," Garreau said. "It was wonderful to see that vision become a reality."
“We’re so grateful to Running Strong for providing the scholarships,” she continued. “With 26,000 square feet of space at Cokata Wiconi and nearly 5,000 square feet of space at The Main, we’re consistently looking at high utility bills, not to mention the routine costs associated with providing programming and services in both facilities. Building rental fees are part of an essential revenue stream for us so we can keep the doors open and the lights on for our kids and families. Thanks to Running Strong, we can continue to generate the funds we need while also providing much-needed assistance to other local groups. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
In the year to come, rentals will continue to play a major role in CRYP operations. This May, Cokata Wiconi will serve as one of the event venues in a massive Indigenous Water Summit, which is expected to draw native leaders from across North and South America to the Cheyenne River reservation.
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 visitwww.lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, visit the youth project’s Facebook “Cause” page. All Cause members will receive regular updates through Facebook.
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.