The Week in Review

What a busy week!

Monday: Root canal

Tuesday: I met with Dan Prendable with VOA/VISTA. We discussed my volunteering at the Bowden Youth Center. I have agreed and need to return to get with Ashley and work out a schedule for volunteering.

Wednesday: I had my interview with CASA and look forward to training. CASA is a nonprofit agency that looks after the welfare of abused and/or neglected children. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate.

Wednesday evening I spent some time at Summit House with Social Work students from Northwestern College in Ia. Daniel Lee spoke of his time in the neighborhood. He purchased a home in Pettigrew Heights in 2006 and serves breakfast every Saturday morning. He works 3 jobs to support his family and this is besides the time he spends with the people in the neighborhood. He hosts birthday parties for children that wouldn't have them otherwise, and movie nights as well. He takes trips with children to places that they wouldn't have been otherwise. He sees firsthand the troubles that people in the neighborhood experience. He is far braver than I. Good work, Dan and wife Minnie!

Thursday: I met with April from the Whittier Neighborhood to discuss their events, our coalition and things that we can do to promote our neighborhoods. We also looked over the pictures from books that I brought on historical Sioux Falls. That was fun! I think that we could talk forever!
In the afternoon, I met with Margaret. Margaret is a white woman whose significant other is Native American. We discussed ideas that I had about making Native American families feel more comfortable in the schools - Lowell in particular. She is excited. So much seems to be coming together in this area. Some topics included the education of South Dakota teachers in methods of educating N.A. youth. There are very important cultural differences that need to be addressed. One example is making children look in your eyes. Teachers often do this to make sure the child is paying attention. Truth is, this is considered disrespectful for Native Americans. Teaching in families is done side by side, not face to face. Respect is also a big issue. If the teacher won't respect the child, they cannot expect it back. She also mentioned educating Native American families in things they need to do to help schools teach their children.
Other differences include the fact that when they have money enough to put gas in the car, they take long weekends to the reservation. Grandmas on the reservation get lonely and want to be visited. But, when they get to the reservation, there is often nothing to do. This is when some turn to drinking with old friends and family. But, the grandmas don't want them to do that, either. Sometimes the car breaks down. When this happens, they may not be able to get back to work on time and end up losing their job. They, like many of us, spend the money when they have it and return to living on a shoestring afterwards.
Alcoholism is a large problem, as is diabetes and fetal alcohol syndrome. I believe by embracing the culture, teaching the teachers, and welcoming the Native American culture into our schools, we will be able to provide hope to a group that has had the hope squeezed out of them. Perhaps we will be able to foster an understanding of their culture and build relationships and trust. Call me a dreamer, but I would like to believe it is possible.

Friday: I met with Margaret again to discuss more specifics. She knows some people that she believes would be willing to help teach cultural crafts and dance at the schools. She invited me to join her in meeting with Urban Indian Health Services on Monday!
I also met with Dan Prendable again at the Bowden Youth Center. Since Sioux Falls had school, Ashley wasn't available but Peter was. I was introduced to 3 of the students that were there.