Thursday–Our Last Day on the Rez…

Thursday…Our last day on the rez.  I can’t believe that this week has gone by so quickly.  The last day on the rez is always a hard day for me.  I feel the stress of having to keep everyone moving in a forward direction for the whole week…trying to stay on time, meet the needs of the students, and of course, meet the goals for our health promotion efforts.  Thursday is the day where I feel so tired and ready to wrap the trip up so that I can go home to my family who I have missed very much, yet I am also sad because what we do is NEVER enough.  I want to do more!!!!  Already thinking about the next trip and what can be done.

We went to our last block party today in Wounded Knee Housing with the Wings Like Eagles Block Party Group.  It was more of the same from Monday–our efforts were the same focus  safety for the kids and cardiovascular screenings for the adults.  The party was steady–more kids than adults, yet plenty of clients for us.  We had some strollers to give away–an identified need came from observations.  Many moms carry their babies in their arms and do not have strollers.  We decided to give some strollers away….I noticed a little girl of about 7 or so looking at our strollers.  I struck up a conversation with her, and asked her if her family needed a stroller.  She said that her name was L., and that she had a brother and sister–one 4 and one 3 and that they are always fighting over the stroller.  If we were anywhere else, I would wonder if this little girl had an ulterior motive–maybe wanting a stroller for her baby doll, but her I know that she is looking out for her family.  Family is so important-yet in a different way than what I am used to.  I am so impressed by this little girl and others that I have seen, who are looking after younger siblings in all that they do.  L. took the stroller and seemed to enjoy herself at the block party, taking other supplies (mostly clothes) for her younger siblings.  She also got her hair braided by Natalie.  We gave away ALL of our children’s supplies–which was absolutely our goal.  I will have to do a final tally, but I think we gave away something like 20 carseats, 5 strollers, cases of diapers, hygiene supplies, dental care supplies, etc.  Again, the students worked SO hard and were very engaged.  Love seeing them in action!!!!!

Our evening activity was to hear Emerson Elk speak about the Wounded Knee Massacre and then visit the burial site.  I have experienced both before, but I cannot help but to be touched deeply by both again.  The burial site is truly a special place–there is something in the air there.  Again, I found myself crying…very affected by the spirituality of the place.  The photo is of the entrance to the cemetery.

After the Wounded Knee visit, we went to Mike Her Many Horses’ ranch to have a traditional meal.  We had the most delicious elk, salmon, corn, and fry bread.  The food was outstanding!  Mike is very gracious and spent much time talking to us about Lakota culture.  We also had our evening meeting there–each night an eagle feather is given to a member of the contingent who has “went above and beyond”.  Well, I received an eagle feather–I was again deeply touched.  I do not deserve this honor–there are so many others who should receive it.  It means even more because the person who received the feather the night before chooses the next recipient, and one of my students chose me.  I had a very hard time with this recognition–I do not do this trip for any recognition.  I do what I do to introduce students to this amazing culture and to try to provide services to the people here.  However, I am very thankful for this honor.