August Update
Happy August from the prairie!
This past weekend the Oglala Nation Wacipi and Fair took place here on Pine Ridge. This powwow is the largest on the Rez and takes place annually on the first weekend of August. Thousands attend the festivities, and hundreds of dancers compete over the course of the weekend. There is also a rodeo that takes place where Native individuals from across the country compete in various events from bronc and bull riding to the world-famous Indian Relays. Re-Member had a float in the parade on Saturday morning and attended the powwow with our volunteers in the evening. It was a weekend full of celebration, culture and fun!
Last week was Re-Member’s Healthcare Week. One week a year, Re-Member runs a program parallel to our standing program that shifts its focus slightly and is oriented primarily around healthcare on the Rez. Culminating in the Oglala Sioux Tribe Health Fair, which coincides with the Oglala Nation Wacipi, where our volunteers set up booths providing information on various health-related topics such as nutrition, diabetes and even fire safety. It’s awesome to see organizations and programs from across Pine Ridge come together to promote healthful living in the community!
Our staff and volunteers remain hard at work. We have completed many projects weekly and will continue to do so until our construction season concludes in October. Our gardens are beginning to produce vegetables, herbs and fruits that will be distributed to community members for the next several months.
We are grateful for all those who have joined us this season. If you can’t make it out this year, we to hope to see you in the future. Trip requests for 2025 begin on September 15!
Supporting our Operations Manager, Sidney Jealous of Him
A little over a week ago our Operations Manager, Sidney Jealous of Him, was in a serious car accident just outside of Billings, Montana while on his way to a softball tournament. His car was struck head-on by another vehicle attempting to pass traffic in a no pass zone. Sidney and the four additional passengers in his vehicle survived the crash, but most were left with serious injuries. All were taken to a hospital in Billings where they have received treatment.
Sidney is stable and we look forward to him returning to the reservation once he is able. In support of Sidney and his family, we are collecting donations to help as they deal with his ongoing recovery. Any surplus funds will be utilized by the family in support of other victims and their families. Please keep all involved in this terrible incident in your thoughts and prayers.
Re-Member Year-End Celebration: Saturday, October 12
Don’t forget to purchase a ticket to our Year-End Celebration in the suburbs of Minneapolis on the Saturday before Indigenous People’s Day.
Join Re-Member staff, supporters and volunteers as we gather to celebrate Re-Member and another successful season in 2024. We will share stories, laughter and a delicious meal, while reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the future.
We would love to see you there!
We are grateful to all those who continue to support our work and keep up with our story! Thank you for your continued commitment to Re-Member as we work to build a better today alongside the Oglala Lakota People.