Well, here we are–already the last day. Time is a vacuum here. This is one of the few places where I can be totally in the moment without the distractions of the usual time-pressured busyness. Yes, I miss home and stay in touch with my hubby and son, but beyond that, I try to block the rest out. I probably should be anxious about still having 3 of my 4 classes for Fall that I need to get ready or that I have final assignments for my summer online RN-BSN course to grade, but I refuse! I will be in the moment here, appreciating this opportunity and enjoying every minute as much as I can.
We went to see Mrs. G at the extended program at Wounded Knee School. They are getting ready to start school on Monday, 8/15 with 100% in-person classes for the first time since the pandemic began. Mrs. G talked to the students about the extended program and gave a tour of the building. In addition to dropping off our remaining donations, we were able to help get the classrooms ready a bit by cleaning desks and surfaces, and Chase and Aurora were able to get a door alarm/doorbell hung. Mrs. G gifted the students with Little Wound t-shirts and then showed us the high tunnel that is full of tomato plants and other herbs and produce. There is also corn growing just outside the high tunnel that was planted in the 3-sisters method. The extended program is very successful and such a different approach to school than what we are used to seeing–the holistic approach is one that should be replicated everywhere! I am hopeful that perhaps this coming year will allow us to visit Little Wound in the Spring for health promotion–it’s been a long 3 years since our last visit in 2019.
After the visit with Mrs. G, we had a spur of the moment, delicious lunch at the burrito stand across from the school (and why not, since the students essentially didn’t get lunch yesterday because I forgot the peanut butter! Big oops!). The OLC Historical Center is still closed but we stopped by the new art space that opened in Kyle by the Chamber of Commerce and were able to get a quick tour and hear about the very neat program that has begun there. Our final stop for the trip was the Wounded Knee Massacre site. The cemetery was quiet with no other people present beyond an older couple from Minnesota. We spent some time in somber reflection there, and as usual, I felt the restless energy that seems to always be present.
Nursing Students at Pine Ridge 