This project will provide hope and cultural connection to the youth of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation through education, healing and cultural connectivity. Since December 2014 there have been 5 completed suicides on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Through this camp we will provide intervention as connection to cultural identity has been proven to be the number one deterrent in suicidal attempts and ideation. This is achieved through integrating the Lakota Customary, Natural, and Spiritual laws.
Since December 2014 there have been five completed suicides on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and numerous attempts and ideations previous to that and ongoing. We understand this as a tragic message from our youth that life is not worth living. As adult relatives, we seek to instill in our youth the Lakota belief that every individual has a purpose on earth and that resiliency to confront life's challenges can be achieved through learning, recreational and healing activities with the youth.
This camp will service 24 Native American youth (12 males and 12 females) ages 12-17, who have experienced trauma, loss and/ or grief. While attending this camp participants will experience educational learning, fun and healing activities to give life to the values, gifts and teachings provided by Tunkasila (Grandfather/Creator) for the healing of our children. Youth will be given assessments prior to the camp, interventions during and follow up after the camp is complete.
The youth of the camp engage and participate in gender appropriate teachings and ceremonies. Each of the activities and ceremonies are at different levels and allow the youth to work together in their healing experience, thus creating a small community approach. It is also built upon the Lakota life way teachings and ceremonies which allow the youth to start healing emotionally, physically and spiritually thus helping them to help others heal and to help create healthier environments.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
