Meet Gen7 Intern Isaac!

Over the past few months, we’ve had the great privilege of working side-by-side with Isaac, a remarkable young leader and student currently reconnecting with his Indigenous heritage. He is at the forefront of his school's efforts to split firewood for the communities we serve on Pine Ridge, and has been a huge help in moving our programs forward as a Gen7 intern this year! 

Here are his reflections on service, reconnection, and leadership:

“My name is Isaac, I am currently a senior at the Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning or RMSEL for short, I am of Indigenous descent with no knowledge of what tribe I come from seeking to reconnect myself to the culture and people of Turtle Island. I came to hear about this cool nonprofit organization who worked with Indigenous peoples called The Tipi Raisers from my science teacher Eric Dinkel. He mentioned how RMSEL used to do some activities and services with Tipi Raisers but that connection was lost due to the pandemic. So Eric asked me if I could get that started back up, so I did.

I contacted Dave shortly after and asked him what we could do to help. Firewood is always in need on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, so we started there. It started off as a small operation behind the school playground. We had a few deliveries of uncut wood and we borrowed and bought some mauls and axes and a chainsaw. A few other high schoolers started cutting wood with me and Eric who have been very hardworking, seeking to help a community that they most likely wouldn’t have unless RMSEL and the Tipi Raisers gave the opportunity.

“I got into wood chopping cause I wanted to help a community I otherwise would never have interacted with and RMSEL afforded me that opportunity. I’ve gained a community of students I don’t normally interact with, and a continued desire to do more” -Senior Arwen Tompkins

I’ve gained a great many skills with the axes and mauls we have obtained and continue to get stronger and able to cut wood faster. Now the once small operation has grown to about 30 high schoolers and volunteering adults, we have produced about 20 cords of firewood  from chopping wood every Monday after school.  A group of wood chopping students have been able to go up to Pine Ridge and do service up there and be able to meet some of the people we’ve been helping since September. Both trips have been incredible eye opening experiences and hopefully the operation continues at RMSEL even after myself and other seniors graduate.

This whole thing is awesome, seeing what the works of few can grow into to help those in need and I am grateful to Dave and the Tipi Raisers for giving us the opportunity to help out.”

Thank you, Isaac, for all your hard work and leadership! You set a powerful example for other young people seeking to make a change in their communities.​

Support the Gen7 youth program today

As we gear up for the Indigenous Wisdom Gathering & 4 Directions Ride this summer, we will be highlighting the Gen7 Youth Program through stories like Isaac's. Like all of our year-round activities, the Gathering is centered on youth and their role as the leaders and wisdom-keepers of the next generation.
We want to ensure that as many youth as possible, including Indigenous youth, can take part in the Gathering from June 28 - July 1 in Eagle, CO and all of our events throughout the year - but we can only do so with your help. 
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Your donation today will help cover the cost of transport, lodging, and leadership opportunities for youth at the Indigenous Wisdom Gathering and beyond. We would be so grateful for your support!