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!