WHO WE ARE |
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"My name is Aiyonne Bryant. I was born on October 22nd, 2003 in Denver, Colorado. I aspire to be an archeologist and an activist. I am passionate about the education system and the right of all people to have a voice and be heard. I am passionate about these things because I was raised in a world of politics and protests. I saw the power of opinions, but I also saw how much better the world would be if people took the time to listen to each other. Unfortunately, the older I got the more I saw society try to silence the people, and I understood that the reason the world faces so many problems is because only a select amount of people are allowed to be heard. This is the reason I aspire to be an activist, and also one of the reasons I chose to join Tipi Raisers. The other main reason is because I am fascinated by the world, both the places and the people. This fascination, as well as need for adventure, is why I aspire to be an archeologist".
Aiyonne submitted an article about the Navajo Nation trip in June which can be seen here on our blog page. |
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"My name is Austin Kent. My mother is Judy Nixon Kent, and my father is Raymond Harrison Kent. For as long as I can remember I have loved creating and admiring visual art. The level of near infinite freedom for how to express oneself is both exciting and challenging for me. Within the past few years, I have developed a love for the environment, and the feeling that a connection with our Earth is something that has been lost within many cultures in our quickly industrializing world. My main goals in life are to create new things sustainably, and connect deeply with people and nature.
Gen7 has drawn me in with the mission; bringing together people of all walks of life for the purpose of creating genuine change in the world. I feel that more and more, individuals and groups of differing opinion fail to see eye to eye. We as a species must address our understanding and misunderstanding of one another, so that we can begin to trust each other. This is what Gen7 is about. Young people, native and nonnative coming together to grow, learn, and act under one common banner. That of the human race". |
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"My name is Geraldine Victoria Grace White Magpie. My mother is Jessica Dawn Crow, my father is Steven Oliver White Magpie Jr. I come from the Oglala Sioux Tribe. I am 16 years old. I was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation. I enjoy playing volleyball, riding horse, traveling, and sleeping, like a lot. I have four sisters and three brothers. I have one older sister and three younger, and all of my brothers are older. I go to school at Pine Ridge High School and I will be a junior this fall. I used to love playing basketball growing up, but my sophomore year I was unable to play because of a knee injury, and i just outgrew the love for the sport. I also enjoy running. I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends. I can seem very stand off-ish when it comes to first meeting me but after getting to know me I’m actually a pretty nice person. Being apart of Gen7 is actually really fun, I met so much new people, I made so much new friends, It’s an all around great youth organization. I love the people I met through Gen7 they are all genuinely great people and have bright personalities. I’m proud to be an indigenous woman and I hope Gen7 will make an Impact on other youth to get involved! Han, Mitakuye Oyasin"
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"My name is Jordan LittleWhiteman-Ortiz, but I prefer just LittleWhiteman. I am raised by my moms side grandparents and lots of aunties and uncles. I grew up in a Episcopalians and traditional Lakota way of beliefs, although my family and I practice traditional Lakota ways more. I was born at a military base in Fort Hood, Texas when my mom was stationed there but we both moved back to Kyle, South Dakota where my grandparents were at.
Two other classmates and I were nominated by our teachers to join Tipi Raisers. Just by one trip and a few volunteer work we all decided that we wanted to be Ambassadors and help grow into something bigger than ourselves. I personally love the idea that we could bring all types of people together to fight social and environmental issues. I also love the fact that we visit other tribes across the country to learn about their stories, values, beliefs, their culture and way of life. Gen7 allows people to see differences and similarities between everybody and I think that's what makes everybody one. Willful blindness to environmental issues and social issues is something I get mad about. How does one purposely ignore issues that will and is killing people? Environmental issues such as climate change and global warming are increasing at an alarming rate and it's to the point where society is becoming numb and desensitized to the thought of death caused by our hand. Social issues is a broad term to injustice and inequality to groups of people caused by more powerful groups of people. Those two topics are something that I stand for helping make better but willful ignorance will forever get me mad because I know you can't change the mind of someone who can't have an open mind". |
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"My name is Justina Pourier , my Lakota name is Iyapí Wín which translates to Women Who Speaks. I’m fifteen years old and I was born and raised in the Pine Ridge Indian reservation with my four siblings and two parents. I had a tough time growing up, dealing with many losses but as I see around me and meet more people I realize it has only made me stronger. I joined Gen7 with hopes and trust that it’ll bring good things to our rez and people. Though we are barely starting out I know the program is giving to us who are involved and seeing what this could bring us in the future.
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My name is Oliver Miner, I am 18 years old, I am from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe(Lakota). I am Currently attending Northern State University to become a teacher. Before Gen7 I had done a couple things like boys Nation, and different mock legislation. I had even wrote an essay on the importance of native and non-native building. I was chosen by the tribe to attend a conference in Denver.
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"Tous, My name is Ha Di Shi Free, Song of freedom. My English name is Rhyia JoyHeart. I am a member or the Northern Arapaho, Eastern Shoshone & Blackfoot Nations. My family is from Wind River in Fort Washakie, Wyoming. I have been apart of the Denver native community most of my life. The start of my connection to our community began With my love and passion for powwow dancing. With powwow dancing i have had many humbling and rewarding opportunities. I became an ambassador for Tipi Raisers, Gen7 youth empowerment group. We have recently traveled to "Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii"- Diné Monument Valley, Arizona. We had the opportunity to explore the land of the Diné Nation and engage with their people. As we built relationships and allies, we also built a strong community within ourselves. Growing to know each other as family, we enjoyed games, food and laughter. For some of us, it was a sweet get away from the busy colonized world we lived in. I wrote a poem inspired by our trip. This poem helped remind me of a gift i almost forgot i had. Im very grateful for the Tipi Raisers, Gen7, the Diné Nation, Mounement Valley and our elders that contributed along the way. Hooweehoo, Hohou, Thank you".
Rhyia's poem can found here on our blog page. |
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"Hi, my name is Skyla Joy Gabriel. My mother is Melanie Rebecca King Sheets, my father is John David Gabriel. I was born in Colorado, and I lived here until I was 8, when I moved to Georgia. After about four years there, I moved back home to Colorado where I have lived since. The greatest joys have been brought to me by spending time in nature and with friends, adventuring, helping, reading, and writing. My main goal in this life is to live in service of others, and the Tipi Raisers have made that possible in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I have been going on volunteer trips to the Pine Ridge Lakota Oglala Reservation for about two years now, and to be a part of the Tipi Raisers and their mission has become my passion. To be among such a strong and beautiful people, to learn from their culture and their wisdom, to make the most incredible friends is something that has changed me forever. As Dave reminded us all on my first trip to Pine Ridge, now that I’m aware, I have a responsibility to do everything I can to be involved and to make a difference if I can. I can’t wait to see what happens next, and I’m so proud of my involvement with the Tipi Raisers and Gen 7. This is the generation that will change the world and I am so proud that I was born at such a time as this to make a difference".
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"Hello, my name is Wacey Cottier. I am Oglala Lakota. I am 15 years of age going on to 16. I am from a small town named Pine ridge, located in South Dakota.
I have been apart of tipi raisers/Gen 7 for almost one year. I enjoy attending these groups, Making new friends, and learning new things. I am so grateful for having such a big opportunity, and I hope to continue attending"! |
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