Team 6: August 1-August 15

Team 6, consisting of Nathan Danielson (St. Paul) along with Justin and Rachel Castanza (Montgomery, Alabama-Camp Chandler) began their journey on the Reservation on August 1st. The first few days were spent transitioning with Team 5 and making some great connections with youth and adult community members. They were also able to follow up with some of the previous participants from the community dialogues that the support staff conducted earlier this summer and encouraged volunteerism with them. During Team 5 and 6's transition, Robie Wayne (Senior Vice President of Financial Development-MPLS) was also visiting the Cheyenne River Reservation.  Both teams were able to connect with Robie and learn more about the history of the Sioux YMCA Initiative.

Team 6 brought their individual talents and areas of expertise to the Sioux YMCA and spent time building relationships with staff, board members and volunteers and assisted them in developing the YMCA. Nate worked on tech support including getting all of their computers working, streamlining operations and beginning to build a new and improved website. Justin used his camp knowledge and developed a strategic planning calendar to help the Sioux YMCA achieve their goal of opening up Camp Marrowbone again. Rachel provided office support, assisted with the meal program and worked on organizing the office and pole barn which is full of the Sioux YMCA's supplies.

In the communities, Team 6 had many conversations and planted seeds about the importance of education as a key to success. They also encouraged many of the talented youth to create their own baseball team and will continue to work with adults in the community to support the youth in this. The team worked hard to make the environment in the communities a safer one by encouraging social responsibility by organizing garbage clean ups, repairing broken bikes, (which is the main form of entertainment and mobility for the majority of the youth) and mowing grass to make their play areas safer. Team 6 coordinated a very successful "Movie Night" which was held in two of the communities during their last week and worked with Sioux YMCA Program Manager, Denise, to develop this into a sustainable program.  This provided a safe environment for the families and children in the communities to gather and also solidify their connections to the Sioux YMCA staff.  Denise plans to continue with some of the programming that the Initiative teams started throughout the summer in the communities we served.

Leadership Team staff, Derek Madsen and Lisa Pung, visited the Sioux YMCA and Team 6 during their last few days and were able to see first hand that the hard work and dedication of the participants of the 2010 Sioux YMCA Initiative did make a lasting impression in each of the communities that were served. It is apparent now more than ever that the YMCA has a strong presence on the Reservation as a result of this Initiative and that the time spent here continues to positively change the lives of not only the youth and families it serves, but also the staff who participate.

Team 5: July 21-August 4

Team 5 headed out for their adventure to the Sioux YMCA on July 21st. The team, consisting of Nancy Upke (YMCA of the USA), Krissy Kelly (MPLS), and Derek Otto (St. Paul), was anxious to get their start on the Cheyenne River Reservation after a summer of anticipation. Their first evening in Dupree was spent at a Memorial Service for the Executive Director of the Sioux YMCA, Bill Wetzel. The service was a spectacular turnout of remembrance and support from the communities. Bill's journey with the YMCA and his work in the community were immensely supported. There were traditional songs played in honor of Bill, as well as sharing by community members of his great life.

Team 5 began building relationships with youth immediately in La Plant on their first day of programming. One of the youth, Julian, gave the team a tour and connected them with other youth in the community that have been participating in YMCA programming throughout the summer. Teams 4 and 5 spent a fun filled day playing water games with the youth to keep cool in both LaPlant and Swiftbird. The remainder of week one was spent transitioning with Team 4, learning more about the culture on the Cheyenne River Reservation and continuing to build the relationships and connection to the Sioux YMCA with youth and adults in the communities.

During their second week, Team 5 continued their adventure of exploring and gaining a realistic picture of life for the youth on the Reservation. Their programming shifted from games into intense conversations about respecting the environment, animals, and other people in all four communities. The youth appeared to be very receptive to the information and Team 5 was very successful in creating a fun, safe, and respectful environment.

Team 5 wrapped up their trip with a large number of small group interactions and the planning of an event upon the arrival of Team 6. The team planned a gathering where community members, as well as newly acquired donors and supporters of the Sioux YMCA were able to come together. This event brought great energy and excitement to the communities as well as the arrival of Team 6. The unique experiences Team 5 had with the youth and their ability to extend their reach to the involvement of volunteers and supporters definitely strengthened the communities' and people of the Cheyenne River Reservations' relationship to the YMCA.

Lakota Tradition

Pow Wow ("Wacipi" in Lakota) held in Dupree on July 9th.

Team 4: July 10-July 24

Adam Meeker, (MPLS) Jessica Lehman, (MPLS) and Sam Alley (St. Paul) arrived on the Cheyenne River Reservation on July 10th to begin their 15 day journey as Team 4.  They were immediately immersed in the Lakota culture as a Pow Wow was being held in Dupree where the Sioux YMCA is located on the night of their arrival.  They were able to connect with Sioux YMCA Board member, Mona, and Carol, from the Sioux YMCA Board of Trustees at the Pow Wow and ask questions and learn more about Lakota traditions and values right off the bat.  Dupree was celebrating 100 years since the establishment of the town so it was a busy, bustling weekend. Unfortunately, Bill Wetzel, Executive Director of the Sioux YMCA, passed away over the weekend of Team 3 and Team 4's transition. Though dealing with this very difficult situation, Team 4 discussed their "plan to move forward and continue the mission that Bill and all of us believe and support so much."

Team 3 prepared the youth for the transition of Team 4 coming in so they were happily greeted by many eager youth in all of the communities, making it easy for them to start right where Team 3 left off.  Adam and Sam proved to easily become positive influences and role models for the boys in the communities; many of whom do not have positive male figures in their lives.  Jessica seemed to be able to easily build rapport with the young people very quickly as well as she was receiving hugs from youth her first day in the communities!  In each community Team 4 did programming in, the youth did not want them to leave.  For Team 4 "It was easy to feel the impact that we have on these kids lives and how important it is that we are out here doing what we're doing."

Heather Patton and Megan Seibring, from the Sioux YMCA Initiative Leadership Team, were visiting the Reservation and conducting various youth and adult community dialogues in each of the four communities being served the first week of Team 4's stay.  Heather and Megan were able to provide some insight to Team 4 as to what the community members' identify as their hopes and dreams for their community and future, which helped to shape some of the programming for the last half of Team 4's stay.  Team 4 continued to lead intentional programming with the youth focusing on team building and team work, positive attitudes, following rules, and positive communication, all while working inside and out in 102 degree South Dakota heat!

Team 3: June 29-July 9

Team 3 consisting of Kim O’Grady (MPLS) and Olivia Vlahaus (University of Minnesota YMCA Student Volunteer) headed out to the Reservation on June 29th. Spending their first two days becoming familiar with the four communities, Kim and Olivia had the opportunity to see La Plant and Swiftbird during their first day of programming and Cherry Creek and Red Scaffold on their second. The communities seemed a little quieter than past days, so the groups split up and rallied the kids to come and join them in playing fun games like spud, zig zag flag tag, and jumping rope. The first days of programming also brought conversations of YMCA core values and rules as well as a scavenger hunt.

Team 2 headed back to Minneapolis on July 2nd which gave Team 3 their first opportunity to program on their own and have a completely different experience from their first few days on the Reservation. Olivia and Kim had the chance to work with an individual youth who was much more open with the two of them than she had been the previous days. By having a chance to sit down with this youth and work on some beading;, Olivia and Kim were able to learn more than they expected the youth to share given a group dynamic.

After spending their next day in La Plant teaching safer sport alternatives , Olivia and Kim spent the next several days building relationships with potential volunteers in the communities and creating awareness of the longer term goals and present goals of the Sioux YMCA Initiative. Building and developing relationships with community members and gathering information from those who could be helpful in current and future programming was a great way to begin to wrap up their time on the Reservation. They planned a barbeque and basketball games which resulted in two community events in all four communities. With a good turnout of youth in La Plant and the best turnout of youth the team had seen at Swiftbird; the crafts and continued alternatives for gaming and safe play continued.

Kim and Olivia’s remaining time on the Reservation continued to create relationships with new established leaders in the community and with an interpersonal communication from a youth that dramatically effected team member Kim. The youth shared about his family, his experiences, expectations, and goals. All this came from a youth who days before refused to open up. The sharing from the youth opened eyes as to what expectations the youth on the Cheyenne River Reservation have and how the opportunities we attempt to enlighten each person with everyday can be a life changer.

Team 2: June 18-July 2

Team 2, consisting of Ashley Burke (ATC), Louise Bilek, (MPLS), Michelle Lanz (MPLS) and Erin Watson (YMCA of the USA), headed out on June 19th for their stay on the Cheyenne River Reservation.  Their first two days were spent working with Team 1 on hosting the "Olympic Games" in all four of the communities we serve.  The games were designed so that youth of all ages and abilities could participate, which brought many of the youth together who wouldn't normally interact.  The games proved to be a huge success in each of the communities; bringing out large crowds of youth.  Team 2 stated that "the youth arrived with large bags of potato chips and bottles of soda, but left exercised and enjoyed eating the apples and oranges we brought."

With four people on their team, Team 2 was able to offer various programming with varying levels of age-appropriate activities for children of all abilities.  Team 2 also worked hard on incorporating the local Lakota culture into their programming, including creating a game they named "Four Corners" to teach the children the core values of the Sioux YMCA and learning some words in Lakota from the children.  Team 2 stated that they "saw how the kids really look out for each other" and enjoy showing people their community so they decided to plan a scavenger hunt in each community to take place as Team 3 arrives.  The scavenger hunt was "awesome" according to one of the young boys who participated!

Traditionally, the incoming Team is greeted when they arrive on the Reservation with a "Welcome Dinner" with Bill, the Executive Director of the Sioux YMCA. Team 2 made arrangements to include a Sioux YMCA board member and a volunteer with the Sioux YMCA, and Denise, the Program Director at the Sioux YMCA.  As Team 2 departs to head back home from their stay on the Reservation they stated "All in all Team 2 is sad to be saying goodbye, happy with the work that we have done and excited to see the following teams keep up all of the great work that they YMCA is doing for the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation."

Ashley and Michelle watch as Louise plays a game of "Entourage" with a youth...

And the winner is...

Angelo!

Team 1: June 7-June 21

Team 1, consisting of Sioux YMCA veterans, Kirk Erickson (St. Paul) and Courtney Huseman (MPLS), headed out on June 21st to kick off what is sure to be a great summer for YMCA staff on the Cheyenne River Reservation. At their send-off, Kirk and Courtney were presented with the ceremonial directional stick from the 10K run on the Cheyenne River Reservation last year to carry with them as they begin their journey and to pass on to the 2010 Sioux YMCA Initiative Teams that follow them.

During their first week of programming in the communities, Team 1 worked with the youth of Cherry Creek, Red Scaffold, Swiftbird and La Plant to plant seeds to start community gardens. The youth were very excited to learn about the many benefits of planting a garden and having the opportunity to plant fruits and vegetables to care for in cups until they are ready to be planted in their communities. Kirk and Courtney taught the youth about sustainability and identified youth leaders in each community to continue to care for the gardens long after the YMCA leave their community.

Team 1 consistently had a large number of youth participating in their daily activities and programming. They continued to build and strengthen the relationship between the YMCA and the communities we serve.  They also gained insight from the youth and community members about what role they would like to see the YMCA having in their community and saw first hand how much the youth love to participate in organized sports. From this observation sprung their idea to plan "Olympic Games" in each of the communities to be held when Team 2 arrived!  During the second week of Team 1's stay, the Reservation was hit with severe weather which caused damage in many of the communities the YMCA staff conduct programming in. Through careful planning and their ability to be flexible..."Let the games begin!" is what Team 2 was greeted with!

Team 1 and Team 2 all smiles at the Sioux YMCA!

Listening to Community!

Initiative leadership staff, Lisa Pung and Benjamin Theisen, traveled to the Cheyenne River Reservation, where the Sioux YMCA is located, on June 2nd and June 3rd. The purpose of this trip was to conduct community dialogues, connect with YMCA staff and board members, and prepare youth and adults for an impactful summer with the YMCA.

We conducted dialogues in all four of the communities where the Sioux Initiative will be present this summer: La Plant, Swiftbird, Cherry Creek, and Red Scaffold. We were greeted in each community with enthusiastic youth and adults who were willing and open to share their thoughts and ideas on how they and the YMCA can collaborate in the coming summer. Each dialogue invited community members (youth and adults) to join Bill and Denise of the Sioux YMCA and Initiative leadership staff, for an open conversation and a community barbeque. As each dialogue takes place, we have noted more community engagement, further awareness of the work of the YMCA and organic volunteerism. We look forward to a summer of continued listening, collaboration, and programming that reflects that community vision!

We are operational!

The Sioux YMCA Initiative is proud to announce that we now have an active blog. You can view this site to get updates about our program, participants, services, and partnerships. We will also be using this blog to profile the experiences our participants have throughout the summer.

We hope you will share this link with your friends. Check in with us every week to learn something new about what we are doing. Even better, subscribe to follow us and you will get updates every time we post something new!