Gen7 Youth:
The Tipi Raisers Youth  Program

​​Tipi Raisers offers multiple opportunities throughout the year for multi- cultural gatherings of young people to engage in Gen7 events. Each gathering offers a chance to gain new skills and build lasting friendships - across socioeconomic conditions and cultural identities - as they are supported in exploring ways in which to bring their unique gifts forth.

Rooted in the power of the connection circle and the belief that  youth both crave and need social/emotional support and genuine contact with one another, each Gen7 gathering includes the following elements:

I.    Cultural Bridge Building
Gen7 Youth represent a diversity of cultures, perspectives, gender identities and backgrounds. Through Gen7 gatherings, youth come together to share their life experiences and teach one another about their unique cultural identity. They are encouraged to explore their differences, identify and address their implicit biases and embrace their commonalities. 

II.   Personal Development
Gen7 events provide youth with the tools, resources and experiences to explore their unique gifts and ways in which to bring them forth. We strive to create a safe space in which the youth can be authentic and vulnerable while supporting and encouraging one another.

III. Leadership Skill Building
Through opportunities such as apprenticeships and leading community service projects, Gen7 youth explore social justice, activism and allyship and are supported to bring that knowledge back to their communities.

IV. Recreation 
We believe in the power of playing and laughing together and we seek to balance out the hard work and intensity of each Gen7 gathering with plenty of time to have fun and take on new adventures. Be it hikes, horse-riding, ropes courses or ghost stories; Gen7 youth solidify their friendships through these more playful times together.

Gen7 engages youth from middle school to young adults.  All Gen7 events are free of charge and are funded through the generosity of our supporters!

WHY GEN7 YOUTH?

Because youth are the wisdom keepers of the next generation!

Now, more than ever, we need strong, visionary, committed and courageous young leaders from all races to come together for the good of the whole. Gen7 is inspired by the Indigenous belief that all actions taken should be done so with an awareness of their impact in seven generations. Also, in the late 1800's, the great warrior of the Oglala Lakota, Crazy Horse, spoke of a vision he had in which healing would take place from the trauma and devastation that started at the time of the European migration. In this vision, he prophesied that the Seventh Generation will be the generation of healing in which all colors of mankind come together.

​Inspired by Crazy Horse's vision, our Gen7 program engages Native and non-Native youth throughout Tipi Raiser's activities, facilitating opportunities for them to bridge cultural gaps, be in service, participate in unique, educational opportunities and gain the experience necessary to understand - and bring forth - their inherent gifts.

The Time of the Seventh Generation is Now!

Gen7 is rooted in the following guiding values:
​Prayer - Honesty - Participation - Community - Love - Humility - Respect 

Gen7 Youth in Action:

• Provides scholarships and apprenticeships for Native and non-Native youth to participate in Gen7 gatherings throughout the year; visiting each other's communities, learning about one another and gaining interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Engages youth in our efforts to rehome buffalo to their Native homelands.
• Offers youth opportunities to assist with establishing community gardens in Native communities,
• Involves youth in service projects.
• Facilitates events like Youth Summits and the Gathering & Ride in which youth have opportunities to share and learn about Indigenous perspectives on historical events and current conditions in Native communities.

Previous Gen7 Gatherings and Projects:

Youth Summits: Sedalia, Larkspur and Denver, CO
Partnering with other youth groups to explore activism, leadership and cultural issues

​School Presentations and Service Trips across Colorado
Engaging in service learning across cultures as well as Native youth visiting schools to share their culture and an accurate representation of the history of their People

Summer Retreats: Monument Valley, AZ and Durango, CO 
Providing a fun and nurturing retreat for Gen7 youth to unwind, be in service and explore new places while building friendships across cultures

Mounted Patrol:
Horse riding to gain certification with the Arapahoe County Mounted Patrol. Multiple training sessions focus on familiarizing the horses with different sights sounds and obstacles they may encounter when in crowds

Projects: Sedalia, Ignacio & Denver, CO, Monument Valley, AZ
Planting and tending community gardens, repairing homes, packing and organizing food donations, cleaning up a homeless camp, MMIW awareness events, and more

contact us to learn more about gen7

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