We're three weeks into October and I have yet to make a blog post as my friends and family keep reminding me (hey, I'm glad you're enjoying my blog) but... As of yesterday (Wednesday) I had already worked 44 hours this week. My time has been consumed with our Halloween party preparations, creating a Long Term Volunteer Program, and working with an Alternative Fall Break group that's out here from Oberlin College this week. I've only found a few hours to write because I'm at home trying to rest off the feeling of nausea every time I move while Courtney takes the volunteers to see our resident camp down on the river. I think I caught the stomach bug Medina had and I just don't think I could make the 140 mile round trip right now. Serendipity I guess.
Returning from Maine
As soon as I arrived in Maine I realized I hadn't told the kids that I was going to be be gone for about two weeks. Major mistake. People are so temporary in these kids lives--I couldn't believe I had forgotten to mention that I'd be leaving and coming back. Getting back into the swing of things after my Maine reprieve was tough. Maine was such a tease. But on my first day back one of our regular boys came running up from school and said, "Amanda! I was hoping you'd come back!" Just the warm and fuzzy I needed to get back in the groove.
Board of Directors Meeting
The Y was closed on Friday October 10th so we could all make our way down to Rapid City (known locally simply as "Rapid") for our Board of Trustees meeting. We stayed in the Alex Johnson Hotel, a historic hotel in downtown Rapid that is reportedly haunted. Courtney and I checked in and low and behold, we were in 802, one of the rooms with the most reported paranormal activity. We didn't see anything during our stay though--what a rip!
Welcoming Back the Wacipi [powwow, pronounced "wa-chee-pee"]
One of the bigs changes for me this October is that I will now being going out into the communities to do programming with Courtney. Every Tuesday we will going out to Takini School (Takini means "survivor"--a lot of the descendants of the survivors of the Battle of Wounded Knee attend this school) and staying the whole day. Every other Tuesday morning will be going out to the tribal school in La Plant, Tiospaye Topa. On the 18th, Courtney and I went to Takini for their Welcoming Back the Wacipi event. The powwow was supposed to start at 1, but things didn't get started until 2. The powwow was held in their old gym, which is completely crumbling apart. We sat with the kindergarteners because we didn't know anyone. Much to our surprise, the MC announced that everyone was welcome to dance in the Grand Entry. Courtney and I were faced with a dilemma--did he mean really mean everyone? Because we were guests we couldn't decide if it would be more rude to sit out and watch or if it was more rude to dance in the grand entry. We ended up asking a kindergarten teacher what the customs were for guests and she said "well, he did say everyone." We joined the Grand Entry. The MC came and talked to us. He said, "you girls have to get fancy now--we have music for you." After the Grand Entry was over he had everyone stay standing and dance the Flag Song and the Veterans Song. It was quite the experience--now I can say I've danced in a wacipi.
Courtney and I were out in Tiospaye Topa yesterday. We did games in the gym with the 3rd and 4th graders. I have gotten so comfortable with the kids of Dupree that I didn't think it would be a challenge to start all over with a new group of kids. We got some attitude, mostly from boys, but one of the girls came up to me as we told them to line up to head back to class and said that she didn't want to leave.
There is a stark difference between Tiospaye Topa, which is much closer to Eagle Butte, the agency town, and who thus has more white teachers, than Takini, who still doesn't have a 5th grade or computer teacher. Courtney and I will be out in Takini for the entirety of the school day roving to help fill these gaps. Once we get established there we hope to implement an after school program as well. In the classrooms we'll be aiding the teachers and hopefully doing mini "lessons" that focus on making good choices, leadership, teamwork, and "life off the rez." The superintendent of Takini requested the later, which is a good idea in theory, but Courtney and I don't think we're the best people to be talking to the kids about life off the rez. We think that a Native with such experiences should.
Courtney and I were out in Tiospaye Topa yesterday. We did games in the gym with the 3rd and 4th graders. I have gotten so comfortable with the kids of Dupree that I didn't think it would be a challenge to start all over with a new group of kids. We got some attitude, mostly from boys, but one of the girls came up to me as we told them to line up to head back to class and said that she didn't want to leave.
There is a stark difference between Tiospaye Topa, which is much closer to Eagle Butte, the agency town, and who thus has more white teachers, than Takini, who still doesn't have a 5th grade or computer teacher. Courtney and I will be out in Takini for the entirety of the school day roving to help fill these gaps. Once we get established there we hope to implement an after school program as well. In the classrooms we'll be aiding the teachers and hopefully doing mini "lessons" that focus on making good choices, leadership, teamwork, and "life off the rez." The superintendent of Takini requested the later, which is a good idea in theory, but Courtney and I don't think we're the best people to be talking to the kids about life off the rez. We think that a Native with such experiences should.
Girls Night
Last Friday night Courtney had the tween girls and the female staff over to her house for Girls Night. She made spaghetti and we watched a movie and had "girl talk." I asked one of the 12 year old girls why she hasn't been coming to Tween Night, which we hold on Monday nights at the Y. She told us that she has to watch her 6 month year old brother. She gets up in the night to give him his bottle. You see a lot of this out here--kids taking care of kids. Kids out here are very independent and self sufficient--maybe because they're raised this way but mostly because they have to be. This leads them to be skeptical of authority.
Halloween
We're gearing up for Halloween, which is huge out here. The Y will be having a Halloween Carnival and Haunted House on the 31st, followed by trick-or-treating, and a Hocus Pocus movie showing. The kids have been begging me to be Annabelle from The Conjuring (I know, I haven't seen it either). Every time I see this one girl she asks me if I'd thought about it yet. I'm keeping it a secret, but I found a perfect dress for $4 at the Goodwill in Pierre to be Annabelle for the Haunted House. I'll be a monster the following day for our Monster Dash 5k run/ walk, which will end at the Y where we'll be having an Indian Taco and rummage sale to try and raise money for our Christmas party. My parents donated a $100 for our Halloween party, which doubled our budget (JR specifically sends his thanks). With the $200 we were able to buy prizes from Oriental Trading for our carnival, a strobe light, a fog machine, decorations in addition to the ones we're making at Teen Night, and photo booth props.
Terry Bear Ribs
We bring in cultural presenters for our volunteer groups. I was only able to attend one this week, which was Terry Bear Ribs's presentation. He makes beautiful dream catchers out of wire hangers, sinew, and paint and is eager to teach his art. It was amazing to see our hangers take shape as he bent them for us. He says that making dream catchers brings you closer to God. Dream catchers are also medicine. I chose to make a buffalo dream catcher (below). It's not anywhere as near as good as Terry's but I loved learning how to web. Now I just need to buy some paint.
Giving Tuesday
Ok family and friends, here comes my plug. The Sioux YMCA is participating in a new fundraiser called "Giving Tuesday" through Y USA. Any money you donate will go directly to the Sioux Y. Our goal is a lofty $10,000. My personal fundraising goal is $500. I'm pretty close to meeting my goal thanks to generous donations from Chris Day, Christopher Lee, and Tom and Sue Held (official thank you's will be coming your way soon). Below is my spiel with the link to my personal fundraising page where there is more information.
Dear friends and family,
As some of you may know, I am long term volunteer at the Sioux YMCA on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. It has been a miraculous experience thus far. I am tested every day, but that means that I am growing immensely. I've been able to see firsthand how powerful a small group of individuals can be, even with limited resources, if they work with passion. The Sioux YMCA has a profound effect on the community. The Y is a safe place where the kids can learn, grow, and have fun and I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful organization. We do our best, but we couldn't function without friends like you. The Y is entirely run off of donations as there is no source of income for us in our area. Please consider sharing a gift, no matter how small, to a cause that is near and dear to my heart. Donations will be accepted through "Giving Tuesday," December 2nd.
Hope all is well with you and yours!
Love,
Amanda
http://www.ymcagivetoday.org/site/TR/AnnualCampaign/WorldService?px=1006581&pg=personal&fr_id=1110
Dear friends and family,
As some of you may know, I am long term volunteer at the Sioux YMCA on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. It has been a miraculous experience thus far. I am tested every day, but that means that I am growing immensely. I've been able to see firsthand how powerful a small group of individuals can be, even with limited resources, if they work with passion. The Sioux YMCA has a profound effect on the community. The Y is a safe place where the kids can learn, grow, and have fun and I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful organization. We do our best, but we couldn't function without friends like you. The Y is entirely run off of donations as there is no source of income for us in our area. Please consider sharing a gift, no matter how small, to a cause that is near and dear to my heart. Donations will be accepted through "Giving Tuesday," December 2nd.
Hope all is well with you and yours!
Love,
Amanda
http://www.ymcagivetoday.org/site/TR/AnnualCampaign/WorldService?px=1006581&pg=personal&fr_id=1110