Reznet

Lakota Youth to Ride Horseback Across Pine Ridge

By Anonymous

On May 7-11, over 200 Lakota Youth, accompanied by parents and relatives, will ride horseback across the breadth of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. This ride, which will be the first of its kind, is approximately 100 miles long. The ride is being organized to reacquaint the young Lakota youth with their land, help them recognize its beauty, realize the freedom they experience on the reservation and offer the youth healing and rejuvenation of hope in their lives.

Lakota adults and elders are deeply concerned for youth who are living on the reservation today. With the High School drop-out rate at 70% and the teenage suicide rate 3 1/2 times higher than the national average, these youth face tremendous obstacles in their life. 90% of the population on the reservation lives below the federal poverty level and there is an unemployment rate of approximately 85% (Source: U.S. Census Bureau). One-third of the homes are severely substandard, without water, electricity, adequate insulation, and sewage systems (Source: Indian Housing Authority).

Because of all the tremendous obstacles these young Lakota youth face, having an opportunity to experience the benefits of this Youth Ride is very important. Life on the reservation is very difficult. The youth have a very grim view of their life, see little hope for their future and rarely get opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of their reservation. The only area of the reservation that these young people see is what is along the road - broken down cars and trailer homes.

Events like the Youth Ride can help them realize the beauty that exists in their land and regain closeness and a sense of hope and pride in who they are. The adults and elders hope to help the youth change how they see their life by reconnecting them through the ways of their culture. Drum groups, motivational speakers, and the Vice President of the Tribal Council will also speak to the youths about their lives on the reservation and the importance of treaties.

For possibly the first time in their life, these youth can experience something positive that could be life-changing. During the ride, the youth will make their own trail across the reservation, riding through the buffalo pastures and over the hills and valleys of the surrounding prairie land. Both the youth and the adults who accompany them will gain a better understanding of the beauty that their land holds. At night, they will camp under the stars away from any artificial light, listen to the stories of their elders and reconnect with their history and their culture. During the last two days of the ride, there will be a 100 mile horse race. Participants will be riders over the age of 18.

The Youth Ride is being organized and led by Percy White Plume. One Spirit will help the Lakota people meet the expenses associated with this event by providing: food and first aid for the horses; transportation for the horses to the beginning of the ride and home again afterwards; food for the young people; gas for the guests and participants in the event who will have to travel a far distance to be a part of the event; and other necessities that will be needed to make the ride possible.

We estimate that the event will cost about $50 per participant - a small sum to pay for a life-changing experience.

Your contribution can give these young people an experience that offers healing, restores hope, and ensures the continuation of the Lakota culture.

For event information or for donations; please contact: Percy White Plume, P.O. Box 411 , Manderson , SD 57756 , or call 605-867-5834.

Updates and additional information on the Youth Ride can be heard through the internet on Mondays from 5-6 p.m. (Mountain Time) at www. kiliradio. org, the Lakota radio station located on the reservation.

On the net: http://nativeprogress. org/content/view/69/133