THE TIPI RAISERS
  • Home
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Volunteer Service Trips >
      • Customized Volunteer Service Trips
      • Open Volunteer Service Trips
    • Gen7 Youth Leadership >
      • Gen7 Upcoming Events & General Info
      • Gen7 Youth Ambassadors >
        • Alumnus- Gen7 Youth Ambassadors
      • Youth Leadership Summit
    • Lakota Language Classes
    • Lakota Ride >
      • Spirit of LakotaRide 2020
    • Race to Winterize Pine Ridge Homes
    • Trading Post
    • indigenous wisdom
    • Reconciliation Work
    • Nagi Circle - Food,Firewood, Mattresses and More
    • Tiospaye Friendship Circle
    • Testimonials
  • HOW TO HELP
    • Covid-19 Response
    • so many ways to help
    • Program Partners
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Tiospaye Friendship Circle
    • Sustained Giving
    • ENGAGING YOUR NETWORKS
    • Nagi Circle - Call to Action
    • Host a supply drive
    • Organization's Wish List
  • Covid Safety Protocols
  • ABOUT PINE RIDGE
    • The History
    • The Lakota People
    • Current Statistics
    • The Land
  • WHO WE ARE
    • Tipi Raisers Team
    • Board of Directors
    • The Organization
    • Featured Volunteer >
      • Previously Featured Volunteers
  • CALENDAR OF EVENTS
  • PRESS & MEDIA
    • News & Articles
    • Blog
  • Home
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Volunteer Service Trips >
      • Customized Volunteer Service Trips
      • Open Volunteer Service Trips
    • Gen7 Youth Leadership >
      • Gen7 Upcoming Events & General Info
      • Gen7 Youth Ambassadors >
        • Alumnus- Gen7 Youth Ambassadors
      • Youth Leadership Summit
    • Lakota Language Classes
    • Lakota Ride >
      • Spirit of LakotaRide 2020
    • Race to Winterize Pine Ridge Homes
    • Trading Post
    • indigenous wisdom
    • Reconciliation Work
    • Nagi Circle - Food,Firewood, Mattresses and More
    • Tiospaye Friendship Circle
    • Testimonials
  • HOW TO HELP
    • Covid-19 Response
    • so many ways to help
    • Program Partners
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Tiospaye Friendship Circle
    • Sustained Giving
    • ENGAGING YOUR NETWORKS
    • Nagi Circle - Call to Action
    • Host a supply drive
    • Organization's Wish List
  • Covid Safety Protocols
  • ABOUT PINE RIDGE
    • The History
    • The Lakota People
    • Current Statistics
    • The Land
  • WHO WE ARE
    • Tipi Raisers Team
    • Board of Directors
    • The Organization
    • Featured Volunteer >
      • Previously Featured Volunteers
  • CALENDAR OF EVENTS
  • PRESS & MEDIA
    • News & Articles
    • Blog

PRESS & MEDIA
BLOG


A Youth Ambassador's Reflections: Navajo Nation Trip       By Aiyonne Bryant

6/12/2019

0 Comments

 
​Back in March of this year I joined Gen7, a group for Native and Non-Native youth to come together, learn about Native cultures, help their communities, and grow as people. When I joined I had little to no idea of what lie ahead or the people I would meet. Despite this I was hopeful. Hopeful that I would meet new people, experience once in a lifetime opportunity, become more in touch with my Choctaw heritage, and learn lifelong lessons. Little did I know I would get this and so much more within just five days of being with the Gen7 group in Monument Valley.
 
On June 6th I woke up at 4 AM and began a ten-hour drive, with ten people I’d never met, to the Navajo Nation. The ride was awkward and uncomfortable, yet strangely exciting. When we arrived, I participated in my first ever circle, where I learned 16 new names that I will never forget. Although, it wasn't until the second day my life began to change forever. On that day I and the rest of the Youth Ambassadors listened to a Navajo woman, named Belinda Eriacho, tell us the history of her people as well as teach us to focus on the solution, not the problem. Her wise words will forever hold a place in my heart, along with the trip we took later that day to take a tour of Monument Valley. As we climbed up the rocks, rolled down the sand dunes, and got a clearer view into the Navajo culture I began to connect with the other youth ambassadors.
 
Over the next few days, I would have many more adventures and lessons, but most importantly I would get to know everyone’s stories. As time progressed our morning and evening circles would get longer and people opened up more. In these circles I learned bits and pieces of everyone’s trauma and was able to bring my wall down. I figured if they allowed me to see the true them I could let them see me too.
 
By the time I began my journey home on June 10th the Gen7 group had become my family. They had taught me to be present and vulnerable. Additionally, they made me want to make my Choctaw culture a larger part of my life. In the end, I am thankful beyond words for this experience.
0 Comments

A Moment in Two Worlds - By Rhyia Joy Heart          Gen7 Youth Ambassador

6/12/2019

0 Comments

 
​The world we live in exchanges time for money.  Every second is a heartbeat; an inhale; an exhale. If you could afford just a moment of your life- would you? 

As I walk this road of my ancestors I stop and listen. As I look for a familiar sound in an unfamiliar place,straying away from resistance and fear of the unknown, I hear every step I make and am reminded of my substance and existence.

The bushes sway, breathe with me. As I walk by they greet me with every rustle in the wind.

Suddenly I hear jingles in the quivering leaves bringing me back to my familiar peace.

The wrath of my grandmother's shawl dancing in the wind brushes my hair across my face.  I cannot see their presence but I can feel their love embrace my shoulder. If I listen closer I could hear the prayers of a million different languages looking for an answer already within.

As I walk down this unfamiliar road I am reminded I never walk alone.

If you could afford just a moment of your life to listen, would you?
0 Comments

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    November 2018
    June 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

DONATE

DONATE NOW
Picture
The Tipi Raisers is registered as a 501(c)(3) non profit organization in the State of South Dakota. All donations are tax deductible and a receipt will be mailed or emailed.

Donations can be made online or mailed to:
7830 W. Alameda Ave. Ste. 103-186
Lakewood, CO 80226

Physical Location: Little Finger Building
29128 US-18 Oglala, SD 57764

All media/graphics/photographs on this website © 2013 The Tipi Raisers/Ti Ikciya Pa Slata Pi.

JOIN US

Picture
Follow us on Facebook

Picture
Email Us to Get Connected

Picture
Attend an Event

Picture
Sign Up for a Volunteer Trip
Copyright © 2018 The Tipi Raisers

CONTACT US

Submit