The time of the Seventh Generation is now

In the 1870s, at a time of immense suffering for Plains Tribes, the Lakota warrior Crazy Horse had a vision:

​“I see a time of Seven Generations, when all the colors of mankind will gather under the Sacred Tree of Life and the whole earth will become one circle again. In that day, there will be those among the Lakota who will carry knowledge and understanding of unity among all living things, and the young white ones will come to those of my people and ask for this wisdom.”

Our world seems to be ever more troubled, and ever more in need of the youth Crazy Horse speaks of. Where can these young warriors of the Native and non-Native communities be found? 
This weekend, we found them at our Hub here in Lafayette, CO, in circle together, in service, in friendship.

Nearly 100 young people of all the colors of the medicine wheel gathered with Native and non-Native elders to take part in various service projects, educational sessions, and reconciliation dialogues ahead of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Here is what they accomplished together:1 cord of firewood was split for Lakota families.

15 food boxes were packed for Pine Ridge households.

Fields where fruit and veg for Native families are grown by Common Name Farm were weeded and prepped for the next season.

Students from the Rocky Mountain Expeditionary School connected bravely and openly with youth from the Pine Ridge Reservation during a reconciliation dialogue.

Lakota and local youth taught new riders how to tack a horse.

Young Indigenous men found their voice at the sacred drum during a learning session with Thomas Yellowhorse and singers from the Rocky Mountain Indigenous Dancers.

 Click here for a video recap of the weekend!

As we watched people of all different ages and backgrounds work, share, laugh, and connect this weekend, we saw Crazy Horse’s vision coming to life before us.
 
The time of the Seventh Generation is now.
 
Here in Colorado, on Pine Ridge, and beyond, there are young people capable of moving us all toward a brighter future. We are honored to witness them step into their strength as part of the Gen7 youth program.
 
 
In gratitude,
 
Mackenzie and The Tipi Raisers Team