I always look forward to Indian Relay day. This has become one of my favorites over the last couple of years. Tashunke means Horse in Lakota, and this day is all about the horses.
We were blessed with a cooler day so no worries about overheating equipment today. We also got incredibly lucky with a prime parking spot right along the fence at the starting line. After getting setting up and organized, students headed out to recruit for screenings before the races started. What a difference a day makes! We were quite busy with no technology glitches. The students have gotten their groove and are providing quality education. They have also loosened up and are a bit less business-like in the best way possible! I especially enjoyed chatting with a Lakota man originally from Montana who is a school teacher. He was such a pleasure and said that he would look for us next year. I also met someone from the pow wow organizing group. He asked how we had come to be there, and I initially felt like I was in trouble! I explained our history of trips and efforts around prevention. But he was very kind and just asked that I call him next summer to coordinate. Another new contact from the relays was the Assistant Director of Nursing at the Pine Ridge Hospital. I got her contact info, and she said that she would be happy to meet with future groups. I have been trying to make this contact for years!
After about 20 (!) screenings and quality interactions, we settled in for the relays. The relays are the main event so other races like kids bareback, a warrior race, and a war pony race are the opening acts. These are almost as exciting-especially the kids bareback, where ALL of the riders fell off during the race. I probably embarrass the students because I clap and cheer like an idiot. It’s too exciting not to! The relays lived up to the hype, and I can’t wait to see them again. Local favorites Lakota Warpath came in second!
Nursing Students at Pine Ridge 