Bonding Over Horses and Beads

I made no particular health promotion plans for today since the students were to horseback ride at Denise’s house under the expert guidance of her sister, Victoria, in two groups.  Our planned arrival time was 0930, but since the dirt road to Denise’s house is sometimes quite muddy and difficult to navigate, I allotted some extra time.  Well, the road was in great shape (comparatively) so we arrived extra early.  Denise very kindly invited us into her home while we waited for the horses to be rounded up and saddled.  She talked to us for quite a while about her history of moving from Colorado and her family now.  She cares for many of her grandchildren, including Mala, who is 10 years old and was born deaf.  I was thrilled to find out that two of the students could sign, and they hit it off with her right away.  We had met this girl on a previous trip, and she has grown up quite a bit and continues to have a special way with the animals at the home–horses, cat, dogs, chickens.  We also met two very small boys who loved playing baseball with the students.  We also, of course, did screenings, including for Denise’s daughter.  All the students did beautifully horseback riding, and Mala and her poodle went with the second group.

Beading was also on the agenda for today.  While the second group rode horses, the first group started their beading lesson at Rosie’s.  Jessica was a patient teacher, and the students learned quickly that the beautiful, intricate beaded art is worth every penny for the effort that is required.  When the second group returned from riding, we went to Wounded Knee to meet with Jerilyn and Emerson Elk.  The Elk family has always been very kind and welcoming to me, and Emerson’s discussion of Wounded Knee from the Lakota perspective is one that is always appreciated.  I got to meet and hold the Elk’s newest grandbaby, Isabella, who is 7 months old, and the apple of their eye.  We went up the hill to visit the Wounded Knee Memorial and burial site, and unfortunately, had an interaction with an intoxicated man who I knew would be asking the group for money.  All of the group were very kind to him and again demonstrated their compassion and understanding.  The burial site is a place that I always find very significant to visit, no matter how many times that I have been there before, but I found that my focus was instead on the intoxicated man and ensuring that the students were ok.

We returned to Rosie’s for the second group to have their beading lesson.  The students were at the ready to continue screenings and did so for several ladies in the store, as well as for customers coming to the store.  I am finding this approach to health promotion is working well–wherever we go, make the screenings available, even if there is not a large number of people around.  A relaxed setting in a place where business is going as usual seems to put people at ease and helps to break the ice.  I will continue to do this for future trips.  Our time is getting short here, and there is still so much to do–I will always be back though!