Monthly Archives: August 2017

I learned several new Lakota words during this trip, and while I don’t have the expertise to use them in a sentence, the word, Iktomi, is appropriate for the final blog title.

Iktomi–a spider-trickster spirit and cultural hero for the Lakota

After returning home from every trip, I can’t help but reflect, taking the quality improvement approach that I have always used for my nursing practice and teaching career.  More, better, enough, what else?  These are all things that I think about, but this year I am also thinking a lot about my students.

After this trip, I have now taken over 70 nursing students to Pine Ridge.  I have so many good memories, and my most fulfilling experiences as a faculty member have been in witnessing the transformations that occur during the trip to Pine Ridge.  My students are all so different, and that includes the group from this year.  Frankly, this group was one of a kind–I have never had to ask a group to edit blog posts for professional tone!  They embodied the trickster spirit of the Iktomi from Lakota culture.

With all of the laughing, singing, and shenanigans, I wondered at times if they were getting what they should and needed from the trip.  But just like the Iktomi of Lakota culture who can be portrayed as a troublemaker, or, as a trickster spirit that possesses dignity and seriousness, this group provided me with another great lesson.   Even with this dichotomy of personality, care, respect, and helping were just as present as the mischief.

The personal interactions, screenings, and health education provided were the most of any trip, and while higher numbers are great, truly the personal connections, compassion, caring, and sincere desire to learn about the Lakota culture are just as important.  This trip provided both.

So, to the Band of Tricksters or Iktomi, thank you for all of the laughs and for your very compassionate care of our new Lakota friends!

Today is the final day of the trip, and I have to say that I am completely exhausted–I will likely go home and sleep for more than 24 hours this time.

Our health promotion plans eased up a bit with yesterday spent at the Singing Horse Trading Post.  Students were split into a group to either bead or horseback ride with some screenings in between.  This day was more relaxed with a later start time than usual which the students enjoyed quite a bit.  While the students were completing their activities, I took a quick trip to return the CPR manikins to the OLC Nursing Program and then spent the rest of the time chatting with Allyssa.

Today was more cultural experiences with our stops at OLC Historical Center, Red Cloud Indian School, Wounded Knee, and then back to the Allen Youth Center.  We also fit in two more screenings at the Trading Post.  The day was great with the exception of Wounded Knee.  I warned the students that we would likely be approached by some tribal members seeking money, and that our time would be limited at the cemetery.  Unfortunately, I have found that in recent years the very spiritual experience of paying respect to the Wounded Knee Massacre victims buried in the mass grave has been marred by those seeking money and/or intoxicated.  As expected this was the case today, and we did not stay long.  I much prefer our interactions at Wounded Knee with the Elk Family, who are respectful at all times to the history of Wounded Knee.

Our day wrapped up with a return trip to the Allen Youth Center.  We dropped off some of our leftover donations, and Alexander tuned the center’s guitars for them.  We chatted with Travis and his wife, Anita, for a bit and ended our day with hugs all around.  I am thrilled that we have been so welcome at this new site, and I look forward to working with the center again on future trips.

The trip has been great, and I can only hope that the students enjoyed it as much and have found the experiences to be as profound as I have.

Here are some photos from the past two days.

Off to the Races–Literally and Figuratively!

On Sunday, we started the day with some sightseeing in the Badlands.  I told the students that I would stop wherever and whenever they wanted to take pictures, and this happened early and often.  We saw two coyotes early in the trip, followed by two beautiful bucks with the biggest antlers that I have ever seen.  The Red Shirt Table overlook was busy today, but we quickly made friends with the group of bikers that had stopped.  We also stopped at the White River Visitors Center and had the pleasure of speaking to Emily Bull Bear.  A previous group of students and I had met her brother, Marcil, at the Visitor’s Center, and she was as equally kind and friendly.  She took some time to explain the process of how porcupine quill work is made.  This was fascinating!  I have seen and own several pieces of the finished product, but I did not know exactly what the process is for making this beautiful art.  After learning the process, I am even more appreciative of the pieces that I have.

We spent more time than planned sightseeing so there was some initial concern by one of the students that there would not be enough time for everything that we had planned.  Knowing how things work on the rez as far as time, I was not concerned in the least!  We made it to the Indian Relays in Pine Ridge with 10 minutes to spare before the advertised start time, and over an hour later we were still waiting for the races to begin.  This was perfect because it allowed us to get set up and start screening up the storm.  We had an even bigger response that the previous day at the pow wow.  The students are getting to be experts at using the technology, and I again must mention my appreciation for having Jackie with us to help with the Enform app.  She fits into the trip perfectly with her easygoing and friendly personality.  We met many new friends, including P., a two-year old, who would be riding in the pony race.   Yes, you read that right–two-years old riding a horse!  He was the most precious thing ever, showing the students how he would be riding with his stick pony.  I also met A., who got a screening–she is working for the fire department this summer, but will be a senior at the University of South Dakota.  She is considering returning to school for her Masters in Public Health, and I encouraged her to consider IU (also gave her my contact information and encouraged her to get in touch if she needed any help).  I really like this setting–it is informal and because people are not coming and going as much as at the pow wow, we can really visit and chat and get to know some of the families.

After screening, screening, and more screening, the relays got started.  P. won his pony race, and that was terribly exciting for all of us!  We cheered him on like crazy!  We moved over to the bleachers to watch the actual relays, and it was even more exciting than last year with multiple riders getting thrown.  I had to cover my eyes several times.   This was our best day yet, and I am so appreciative of this trip, my students, Jackie, and of course, the Lakota people.

We started our day early again at 0830, heading to Rosie’s to pick up some of our shipped donations that she so kindly kept until we could pick them up.  We got to chat for a few minutes, and also visit with Allyssa for a few minutes–so happy to see both of them.

The students wanted to experience the pow wow parade so we headed to Pine Ridge.  The weather mirrored last year’s pow wow parade day with a  rainy start; however, this year, the rain cleared and we were able to see the parade and start screenings.  Part of our blessings with receiving grant funding this year was the allowance for the purchase of a pop-up canopy, folding table, and outdoor chairs.  The addition of a shady spot beyond the back of the SUV is great.  We had a steady ebb and flow of screening participants, beginning with the two elder veterans and one of their spouses that were parked next to us.

One of the veterans, R., spent quite a bit of time speaking to us.  He must be about 70,  a Vietnam veteran, and very generous in discussing Lakota culture.  He explained that he joined the Army at 17, entering the warrior culture at a very young age.  The requirements and expectations of being a warrior in Lakota society go beyond joining the U.S. military and going to war.  He patiently explained to us that as a warrior, he has made the lifelong commitment of watching over his people—especially the women and children.  To be a Lakota warrior, one must possess and practice the traits of generosity, fortitude, bravery, and wisdom.  As R. explained, the expectation of being generous ensures that you will never be rich because you will always do what you can for others–this is a lifelong promise.  As I listened to him describe his life and commitment to his people, I could not help but tear up.  Especially when he explained that he went to Standing Rock to represent his people in the fight for clean water this past year and was willing to fight and die if that was what it took.  To hear of his unwavering duty to his people and culture was quite humbling.  There is so much to learn from this beautiful culture and people.  I will always feel privileged to be here at Pine Ridge and to learn any lessons that I can.

While I will certainly never be a warrior, I can certainly strive to be generous, brave, wise, and strong.

Wayazan awanyanka–looks after the sick or hurt.

I have always wondered if there was a Lakota word for nurse.  Our friend, Michelle Bruns, from the OLC Nursing Department emailed me with this word and definition after asking on Thursday if such a term existed for the Lakota.  The Lakota language is a dead language so many modern things like computer, etc. don’t exist in their language.  I really like the concept of “looking after”–this speaks to me greatly!  After all, what a better way to describe all aspects of nursing.

I am a day behind with blogging now after having such a big day yesterday.  We were booked solid for the entire day with activities yet when I got in bed completely exhausted, my mind was racing with all that we had experienced for the day!

We started our day doing screenings for the staff at Head Start at the administration building in Kyle.  We had one hour for this, and this would be our first attempt to use the Telemed 2020 platform to enter data electronically into a mini-health record for screening participants.  Jackie Baker, from Telemed 2020, is here on the trip with us, and she was a godsend in completing initial troubleshooting as the students began to screen.  Even with some technology hiccups, the students took to it like pros.  We were quickly inundated with Head Start staff who wanted to have their lipid profile, blood sugar, blood pressure, and body mass index, and subsequent health teaching completed.  I did not know what to expect as far as the acceptance of the technology by participants here, but very quickly, we learned that the technology was not a barrier at all–we now have an outstanding tool to improve and expand our work here.  During our time at Head Start, I was able to chat with Jennifer and Dallas a bit–old friends at this point.

Because of our interest in screenings, we ran late to our next health promotion site.  After a quick call to the Allen Youth Center Director to let him know that we were running late, we were on our way, on another new adventure.  I have never been to Allen on any of my previous trips to the rez.  Of course, this new venture turned into something exciting–the main road into Allen is being expanded and after sitting in a mini-traffic jam on a dirt road that had earth movers crisscrossing back and forth, we finally made it to the center.  We received an extremely warm and welcoming greeting from Travis Thunder Bull, the center director.  Initially, we had about 9 children and 5 adults present to receive some health education on first aid, CPR, and diabetes.  Over the course of our time there, our audience grew to 17 children.  Each of the teams of students took turns providing their education in a very informal, hands on way.  While our audience of kids were initially quite shy, they warmed right up after finding out that we had some basketballs, footballs, etc. as prizes!  We also provided a healthy meal, which Stormi, cooked–we did pulled pork sandwiches on whole wheat buns, vegetable soup, and fruit.  The food was a hit, and after the meal, the students spent some time playing with the kids, showing them how to use a stethoscope, etc.  After a challenging trip to the center, where more than one student voiced disbelief that we would actually get there, many asked if we could either stay or come back.  Schedule permitting, we may actually try to go back at the beginning of the week.

Our next stop was the pow wow for the grand entrance.  This is one of my favorite parts of the trip.  I love to see the students response and awe to this cultural tradition.  I also love to see their initial fear of approaching dancers in their regalia to ask about getting photos and then finally overcoming that fear.  We saw one of our screening participants from Head Start dancing in her orange and purple regalia in the women’s traditional dance, and we were able to chat with her and visit a bit.  I also Seymour, our students’ favorite person from last year’s trip, dancing.  While I did not get to talk to him last night, I certainly will seek him out today.  I thought that I might have to drag the group away, and I actually had someone ask why we don’t camp at the pow wow.  Never had that question before!  I also have a group that is intent on dancing in the circle during an open dance–we’ll see if that actually happens.  If it does, there will be video!

So, we are now off and running getting into the real reason for our presence here–learning about the culture and offering health promotion….what a great day to be a Wayazan awanyanka!

There has been so much lead up to the trip this year.  Months of planning; a grant application, presentation, and award; a new collaboration for technology for our screenings, and more.  I have done more worrying and fretting than usual because of this.  What if we can’t do as much health promotion?  What if my group doesn’t find a passion for the people and land of Pine Ridge?  How can I continue to do better and do more?  Last year’s trip was so good, what if this one isn’t as good?

The dubious start relates to the useless worry mentioned above, as well as having to get my appendix removed emergently one week before the trip.  All of the prior worry was nothing compared to my concern that I might have to cancel the trip because of my health.  Everything happens for a reason, and while the trip looked and felt quite dubious last week, I received a great reminder that I can control only so much.  I must rely on faith to get me through.

So here we are again–the promise has been fulfilled.  The trip actually happened, and I am going to appreciate and enjoy all of it–the good, the bad, the ugly, and whatever else might come up!  I am feeling good with no restrictions except related to lifting.

We made it to Pine Ridge yesterday.  Many of our beginning activities are the same as in past years–a quick trip to Mt Rushmore and then on to get settled at the motel.  The trip to the Chadron Walmart for supplies today which is always an adventure, but even more so this year.  (I’ll explain why later).   This is the first year that I truly doubted that we were going to be able to get all of our Walmart purchases into the SUV–we could not have fit one more thing!

My students already feel

like a tight-knit group.  They are absolutely hilarious, and I am loving getting to know them on a more personal level.  The Suburban (or the ‘Burb as we refer to it) is full of excitement, lots of singing, and so much laughter that it is hard to drive at times.  Some highlights so far would be quiet Shelby getting pulled out of the security line to have her carry on bag full of maxi pads (donations to be given away that she so kindly agreed to bring) searched; seeing a high speed chase in Pine Ridge today (including the use of spike strips across the road and the chasee continuing to drive on his rims) and the students yelling at me to follow the chase (the answer was no); listening to some quite enthusiastic duets by Stormi and Alexander; and much more.

The view was dubious last week, but we are certainly off to a promising start!