Sonntag, 4. Mai 2008

YOUTH RIDE MAY 2008 LAKOTA ADULTS AND ELDERS TAKE ACTION TO PROVIDE A BRIGHTER VISION FOR YOUTH ON THE RESERVATION. YOUR SUPPORT FOR THEIR EFFORTS CAN LITERALLY BE LIFE-SAVING!On May 7-11, over 200 Lakota Youth, accompanied by parents and relatives, will ride horseback across the breadth of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. This ride, which will be the first of its kind, is approximately 100 miles long. The ride is being organized to reacquaint the young Lakota youth with their land, help them recognize its beauty, realize the freedom they experience on the reservation and offer the youth healing and rejuvenation of hope in their lives.Lakota adults and elders are deeply concerned for youth who are living on the reservation today. With the High School drop-out rate at 70% and the teenage suicide rate 3 1/2 times higher than the national average. 90% of the population on the reservation lives below the federal poverty level and there is an unemployment rate of approximately 85% (Source: U.S. Census Bureau). One-third of the homes are severely substandard, without water, electricity, adequate insulation, and sewage systems (Source: Indian Housing Authority).Because of all the tremendous obstacles these young Lakota youth face, having an opportunity to experience the benefits of this Youth Ride is very important. Life on the reservation is very difficult. The youth have a very grim view of life, see little hope for the future and rarely get opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of their reservation. The only area of the reservation that these young people see is what is along the road – broken down cars and trailer homes. Events like the Youth Ride can help them realize the beauty that exists in their land and regain closeness and a sense of hope and pride in who they are. The adults and elders hope to help the youth change how they see their life by reconnecting them through the ways of their culture. Drum groups, motivational speakers, and the Vice President of the Tribal Council will also speak to the youths about their lives on the reservation. For possibly the first time in their life, these youth can experience something positive that could be life-changing. During the ride, the youth will make their own trail across the reservation, riding through the buffalo pastures and over the hills and valleys of the surrounding prairie land. Both the youth and the adults who accompany them will gain a better understanding of the beauty that their land holds. At night, they will camp under the stars away from any artificial light, listen to the stories of their elders and reconnect with their history and their culture. During the last two days of the ride, there will be a 100 mile horse race. Participants will be riders over the age of 18. found in the care2 group "all things native/we all are as one circle" Link and more information here:http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=14388&pst=988277