Wounded Knee (South Dakota)
Information
South Dakota
Located in the southwest corner of the Dakotas, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is one of the largest reservations in the United States. It is also the poorest, with 85% unemployment among its 28,000 citizens. The figures are staggering: 49% live below the poverty level. The school dropout rate is 70%. While the Lakota have a proud warrior tradition, Pine Ridge is also a site of betrayal — the Massacre at Wounded Knee.
Educational opportunities, and the promise of employment that comes with them, are few. With seemingly no future available to them, the youth of Pine Ridge frequently turn to alcohol and drugs. Tribal elders realize that change must come from within.
"Our goal is to grow a local economy," says Mark St. Pierre, the director of Pine Ridge’s Chamber of Commerce. “If we can create a business community here, we could have a strong future.”
Our Imagine This! team will lay the foundations for a self-sustaining community. In one week, this team will build a horse sanctuary and Equine Therapy Center to benefit tribal children who are suffering as well as wayward juvenile delinquents. This sanctuary will create jobs for local men and women who will be responsible for taking care of other living beings while earning their own wages.
The center will have a “breeding and breaking” program, which in addition to rehabilitating abandoned horses, will generate revenue. The team will also construct a “Lakota Heritage Horseback Trail” to bring tourist dollars to the local economy, benefiting young people who might otherwise walk a path of crime and gang activity.
On the last day the people of Wounded Knee will gather with the Team for the unveiling of this horse sanctuary and riding center. As part of the celebration there will be a race across the plains. Filmed with stunning aerial photography, this race will provide an opportunity for Lakota men and women to demonstrate to the world a piece of their proud history.
Educational opportunities, and the promise of employment that comes with them, are few. With seemingly no future available to them, the youth of Pine Ridge frequently turn to alcohol and drugs. Tribal elders realize that change must come from within.
"Our goal is to grow a local economy," says Mark St. Pierre, the director of Pine Ridge’s Chamber of Commerce. “If we can create a business community here, we could have a strong future.”
Our Imagine This! team will lay the foundations for a self-sustaining community. In one week, this team will build a horse sanctuary and Equine Therapy Center to benefit tribal children who are suffering as well as wayward juvenile delinquents. This sanctuary will create jobs for local men and women who will be responsible for taking care of other living beings while earning their own wages.
The center will have a “breeding and breaking” program, which in addition to rehabilitating abandoned horses, will generate revenue. The team will also construct a “Lakota Heritage Horseback Trail” to bring tourist dollars to the local economy, benefiting young people who might otherwise walk a path of crime and gang activity.
On the last day the people of Wounded Knee will gather with the Team for the unveiling of this horse sanctuary and riding center. As part of the celebration there will be a race across the plains. Filmed with stunning aerial photography, this race will provide an opportunity for Lakota men and women to demonstrate to the world a piece of their proud history.
Discussions
Sustainable Economy... 1 Reply
Started by Aurora. Last reply by Betsy Borgacz Oct 5, 2009.
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Comment
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Comment by Greg Bonser on April 12, 2010 at 2:19pm -
My understanding is that this community is looking for any opportunity they can get for economic development as well as new ways to empower and engage their youth.
This story provides great opportunities for skill development in a traditional aspect of their culture, and also lets viewers see what is happening close to home, and how animals can help in healing. We would need to find a local champion who is also committed to newer methods of horse breeding and breaking, as well as working with horses as participation in the healing of people - both on reserve and off.
With some on the ground contact and investigation, I am sure this person will turn up and be able to mobilize many within the community to work on this project.
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Comment by Sarah Hahn on March 22, 2010 at 2:39pm -
Was this proposed by the people? When this does move forward, I would recommend a new, cutting edge facility that does not put horses in stalls with no room to roam. For reasons of health and well being of all parties involved, a facility that provides for the horses an environment that simulates more of what a horse in the wild would experience. Plus, the facility could utilize many of the alternative and successful forms of "breaking and training" in which the horse and person involved have a more mutually empowering experience where both come out stronger and more trusting. There are so many resources available on these two topics and I would love to be of service as well. Thank you.
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Comment by John Milroy on August 30, 2009 at 2:05pm
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This is a tremendous idea to reinvigorate a people who have suffered great misdeeds: The Dee Brown book, "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," is one of the most powerful books I've ever read. Some of it is extremely difficult to deal with, but it changes the side you wanna be on when you play cowboys and indians!
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Comment by Erik Vincent Haan on July 22, 2009 at 5:13pm -
I love these projects!
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