This
week has been very powerful for everyone. We were welcomed into someone's home,
replaced 11 windows, and met with numerous local residents whom are attempting
to address issues on the reservation.
On
Wednesday, we met with Four Bands Community Fund Inc., an organization
providing financial investments to local residents for economically
sustainable business opportunities. It was a fresh perspective on how to
revitalize a community struggling with many conflicting issues.
On
Thursday, we ate lunch at the Cheyenne River Reservation Youth Center in Eagle
Butte. There is a restaurant within the youth center called the Keya Cafe, and
is one of the businesses funded by Four Bands Community Fund Inc. Keya Cafe
focuses on providing fresh vegetables grown on the reservation by youth,
and supports fair trade products. We also ran into a Alternative Spring Break
trip from Northwestern focusing on children issues.
Later
that night, we had very special dinner cooked by the homeowner's of the
house we have been working on all week. The dish was Indian Tacos. It is
a Native American spin on traditional tacos, and uses frybread as the taco
shell. Frybread is a sweet dough that is like nothing we have ever had before.
It was a truly delicious and unique meal. It was an honor to have dinner
prepared for us and made us feel at home on the reservation.
After
a long day on Friday, we had to say a hard goodbye to the community of Eagle
Butte. A beautiful sunset was a perfect goodbye to a meaningful and challenging
week, both physically and mentally, of service. Many participants have made
promises to return to Eagle Butte and continue supporting Okicipiyapi Tipi from
Mizzou's campus.
Tomorrow, we head out at
6am for Columbia, Missouri. We would like to thank all of our donors, the
people of Eagle Butte, and Okicipiyapi Tipi for making this a life-changing
week of discovery and service.
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