After the busy day yesterday, we eased up the pace just a bit for Friday. Our alum extraordinaire, Suzie, again very generously guided the students through a tour of the IHS Kyle Health Center facilities. The students had some great questions for here, and Suzie provided a very important first-hand account of working with an underserved population in a very rural setting—her insights are invaluable for the students. Whether the topic was the chronic underfunding of IHS, the limited health care resources on the reservation, or the current STI epidemic, it was obvious to me that some light bulbs went off for the students. The tour is always outstanding, but we had an added bonus this time. While touring the Four Directions Clinic that provides women’s services, sexual assault forensic exams, STI testing, and more, we met LTJG M., a member of the U.S. Public Health Services Commissioned Corp. While I discuss the USPHS in my community/public health nursing course, I have not had a contact who could provide first-hand information. She very enthusiastically gave a thorough explanation and answered questions on the spot. I frequently tell students that the world is their oyster when it comes to nursing. There are SO many opportunities, and the USPHS is a great one. After group pictures, we headed to the OLC Historical Center. Unfortunately, the Historical Center and the shipping container coffee shop in Kyle were closed for the day for the pow wow festivities. We returned to the campground for lunch and relaxing prior to our journey to the pow wow for the grand entry in the evening.
We got to the pow wow grounds early to get a good seat, and lucky for us, we were able to get a front row spot. The Grand Entry is always the best—the veterans and elders in their regalia are so special to see. Also, I have had the opportunity of seeing the same dancers over the years, and there are quite a few favorites. While the students were in the front row, I sat one row back behind a family with two dancers—a mother in her beautiful turquoise jingle dress and a teenage boy in striking pink regalia for the chicken dance. I loved watching the mom help him get into his very elaborate regalia for the grand entry and was really looking forward to seeing him dance. It is also important to note that it continues to be 100+ degrees, and the dancers are in full regalia, as well as some of the veterans in full military uniform. In the Veterans Group of flag bearers was the same Marine from last year. He is in full dress blues with white gloves on in the heat, standing as tall and proud as anyone I have ever seen. Seeing him reminds me of the sacrifice that the uniform represents.
This is always a favorite activity for me during the trip, and as usual, I enjoyed watching the students soak it all in. After a pow wow dinner and the grand entry finished, I encouraged them to walk around the grounds and to not be afraid to ask a dancer for a photo.
We had decided that we would only stay for another couple of dances by 10pm, trying to hold out to see the teenager in the pink chicken dance regalia. Unfortunately, a shooting occurred on the pow wow grounds while we were waiting for our chicken dancer. I won’t get into the specific details, but all in the group are fine. This was the last thing that I would expect to happen here with so many families, kids, and elderly present. It was quickly determined by the tribal police department that the shooting was an isolated incident that was the result of a fight. The shooter was apprehended before we had even left the pow wow grounds. The students, while shaken up, are outwardly calm and stayed that way throughout the incident. Lots to think about tonight on the long drive to the campground.
Nursing Students at Pine Ridge 