My Nonprofit Reviews

I think living on the Pine Ridge Reservation for a week was honestly one of the greatest experiences I've had and I would even say it was a life changing experience. During that week, I meet some of the most humble, compassionate, hopeful and resilient people I've ever meet. I was able to meet people like Waylon and his family, Thurman, Virgil, Romana, and many others and learn about their lives and what it meant to be a Lakota man or woman. And not only was I able to listen to their stories but to a certain extent I was able to live it. By participating in hand games, drum circles, horse back riding, and inipi, I was able to live like a Lakota and by doing so I was able to fully appreciate their culture. At first I felt guilty because as an American, I understand and further learned of the economic, social, physical, and psychological damage that we have inflicted upon Native Americans. But I greatly appreciate the members of the Lakota culture living on the Pine Ridge reservation for willingly opening their home, land, and more importantly, their heart to us. I know that the physical work that my group and I did over the week was very little. But I know the emotional work that we did such as listening to these individuals and their stories is a step in the right direction in terms of bridging the differences between Americans and Native Americans. And I just want to thank Dave along with Tipi Raisers for granting us this very special opportunity- its something that I will hold near and dear to me!