At the Pine Ridge Reservation, a quiet yet powerful cultural resurgence is taking place among Native American youth. With the support of Running Strong for American Indian Youth®, programs aimed at nurturing cultural pride and preserving traditions are creating a profound impact. These initiatives focus on empowering young people to connect with their heritage, learn traditional ways, and dream boldly for their future. Embedded deeply in the fabric of the community, these programs illuminate the importance of culture as a source of identity, strength, and resilience.
Building Dreams with the Dreamstarter® Program
The Dreamstarter® programs are an incredible example of how Running Strong cultivates cultural pride among Native youth. By providing funding and mentorship, this program empowers young people to turn meaningful ideas into impactful community projects. For example, one Dreamstarter®, Ashlen Hicks, from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, combines her passion for sewing and beadwork with her dedication to cultural connection and healing. Her project, “Matriarch Circle,” creates ribbon skirts with traditional beadwork that celebrate resilience and pride. In addition, she offers workshops to empower and support Choctaw women through cultural practices.
Another Dreamstarter® recipient, Cruz Collin, is a second-generation Oglala Lakota scientist and activist. He is developing a sustainable, cost-effective solar panel that’s environmentally safe and affordable. Combining Western and Lakota science, Cruz is committed to addressing climate change and enhancing life quality for his community on the Pine Ridge Reservation. His work not only reflects his deep love for nature but also showcases the resilience and ingenuity of Indigenous traditions in leading the way toward a sustainable future.
This is the power of the Dreamstarter® program. Each project doesn’t just support traditions; it celebrates them, ensuring Native culture remains vital and alive for generations to come.
Oyate Ta Kola Ku Community Center – A Hub for Cultural Empowerment
At the heart of Pine Ridge’s community-centered empowerment stands the Oyate Ta Kola Ku Community Center. It’s an incredible resource for the next generation. The center offers programs aimed at uplifting Native youth while instilling a sense of cultural pride. Here, the focus is on blending traditional knowledge with modern tools to create holistic development opportunities.
The community center is a vital hub promoting healthy living, cultural preservation, and community engagement. Its teaching and community kitchens provide nutritious meals and classes on Indigenous food practices using fresh produce from on-site gardens. The Medicine Root Garden addresses malnutrition by growing organic produce while teaching gardening skills. Additionally, the center offers mentoring, sewing workshops, and cultural programs that preserve traditional crafts. The gymnasium hosts sports, powwows, and events, creating a safe space for families to connect and thrive. For many families, the center isn’t just a space for education—it’s a sanctuary for cultural revitalization.
Through these programs, the Oyate Ta Kola Ku Community Center helps bridge divides between generations. They ensure that traditions are passed down and adapted to the modern world in ways that empower youth.
Supporting Families, Strengthening Futures
Running Strong goes the extra mile to care for Native American youth even before they are born. Programs like the Wak’ányeja Program distribute Maternal Care Kits, designed to assist mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood. But what truly makes this initiative special is its cultural sensitivity. It reflects the Lakota value of the “Ina”—the mother—as central to the heart of the family and the transmission of traditions. This holistic impact fosters not just better health but also ways to ensure cultural pride takes root in the youngest community members.
The Positive Ripple Effects of Cultural Pride
The results of these programs radiate through the Pine Ridge Reservation. Youth walk taller, speak their language with pride, and approach their futures with hope. By creating spaces that foster cultural pride, communities are seeing young leaders emerge with the confidence to protect and strengthen their heritage.
These young people are driving community-based solutions, from food sovereignty programs to clean water initiatives. Grounded in traditional values, they are shaping a brighter future for the Pine Ridge Reservation while honoring the legacy of their ancestors.
Join the Movement to Keep These Programs Strong
Running Strong for American Indian Youth® is doing more than running programs. They are creating bridges between generations, igniting dreams, and empowering youth to thrive. But none of this is possible without your support.
Every donation strengthens projects like the Dreamstarter® program, Oyate Ta Kola Ku Community Center activities, and the critical Ina Care Kits. Together, we can ensure these efforts continue to nurture cultural pride, preserve precious traditions, and create ripples of change for generations to come.
Donate today and invest in the bright, resilient future of Native American youth. Your support makes all the difference. Donate today!
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