Amazed

Again, not sure where to start with this day.  Lisa and I decided that today would be a cultural day–a continuation of trying to orient the students to the rez and the amazing, beautiful people here.  We started with a visit to the Oglala Lakota College Historical Center.  They have an outstanding audio tour with art, photos, copies of treaties, etc.  We met a lady who was making her art and also selling it.  Her name was Cindy White Thunder, and her work was very beautiful and also very high quality.  I bought a necklace to give to one of our continued trip supporters and donors.  Some of the students were a bit surprised at the cost of the necklace, but after explaining that with the time that it took her to make the necklace (4 hours) and the cost of beads and supplies, she made less than $7 an hour for her work.  They got the point!

We visited the Oglala Lakota College Nursing Program also, and although I miss my friend Joan Nelson who retired in June, we received a warm welcome from the new director, Michelle Bruns.  After hearing about the college’s program and getting an idea of how their program is similar and also different from the one at Methodist, we traveled on to the Red Cloud Heritage Center.  A visit to the most beautiful church that I have ever seen and more amazement about the displayed artwork was part of this activity.

During our travels we stopped for gas at one of the few gas station/convenience stores on the reservation.  We did health promotion at the gas pump!  We gave a way 3 car seats during this stop and spoke to a very nice Native lady who works with a non-profit organization on the reservation.  I was so surprised to hear her say that she had heard that there were nursing students coming to the reservation!  Word is out!

We stopped by Rosie’s but didn’t get to see her because she is with family in the Black Hills, but spoke to Katherine and Viola.  Viola is caring for her sister’s 3 grandchildren, one of which has spina bifida and developmental issues.  We were able to fit her with some supplies and will have booster seats for her tomorrow (our initial van stock was depleted at Sharp’s Corner).

Next stop was the Oglala Lakota Tribal-wide Pow Wow in Pine Ridge.  Oh my gosh, just beautiful, amazing, and every other fantastic descriptor that you could use!

We have 18 students on this trip, and I finally know all of their names.  Today was the cement day–the day where it really starts to come together.  The students awe and amazement for our activities today–especially the pow wow–makes this trip worthwhile to me.  They are getting along as a group, not complaining about the van, and trying to soak up everything that the Lakota people have to offer.

Oh, and by the way, we learned that Johnny Depp is currently on the rez–I will definitely let you know if we see him!