Monday, March 9, 2009

first day at site

So I arrived in Lake Andes around 2 o clock sunday, but I suppose there was miscommunication and my host mom wasn't prepared for my arrival. it was OK though, I went down to the Lake Recreation area and played outside / went running for a couple hours. It's actually a Bald Eagle sanctuary as well and one flew right over my head while I was standing by the Missouri River. It was soooo beautiful, and it was a gorgeous sunny day! I took many pics, to be uploaded later.

Then I went back to my house and we cleaned for a bit and I settled into my room, which is so cozy. Apparently there is a spirit of a grandfather in our house, but he is friendly and I am not really afraid. He lives upstairs. After we cleaned we headed over to the weekly sunday night language group that gets together. They meet and speak Dakota and work on reviving their language and therfore an integral part of their culture is restored as well. I listened and participated a bit, it was fun. Everyone was so friendly, and Faith (my host mom) leads the groups because she is fluent in Dakota and very traditional. Even the children participate; I am going to take notes next time and work on learning as well. After the language class everyone talked about the up-coming court case in which the Yankton Nation is fighting the federal govt bc the fed wants to diminish their tribal lands. It is very emotional for a lot of people, including my host mom who was tearful when she was talking about it. Thats how important and sacred the land is, a gift from Wakan Tanka (the creator).

After some discussion there were many prayers offered for this court case to turn out well for the Yankton Oyate (yankton people) and ceremonial prayer songs with drums and singing. Then one of the men (Gary) blessed the saced Chupa (pipe) and we all smoked it. It was very solemn, and i was really nervous to be a part of it at first, but I was made to feel very welcome and it was a great experience.

By then it was almost midnight! Faith and I drove home and we were both so tired! It was a great first day. Now I am prepared to start working on a Grant application for the Braveheart Soociety from Honor the Earth, an indigeneous envirnomental group. It was started by my favorite author, Winona LaDuke. Better get to work.

2 comments:

  1. sounds like you are really getting to experience a lct..Cant wait to see the pictures Love Mom

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  2. Running? Missie, I'm going to have to give you a talking to. The lake air is going to your head a little too much.

    P.S. Senior sem = the same time that I have to take EVERYTHING. No good. Section B?

    P.P.S. I got accepted to the SCRA conference this summer! Woot times five million nerds doing disco!

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