June Update
It’s hard to believe that we are almost halfway through the 2024 volunteer season.
Summer has arrived early on the prairie. We have enjoyed warm temperatures and lots of sunshine over the past several weeks, which is great as it has allowed us to get a lot of work done! Yesterday, we had crews out and about across the reservation building a wheelchair ramp, skirting a trailer, building beds and outhouses, and working in our Feather II gardens. We will complete many deck-and-step sets, ramps, and trailer skirting projects over the coming weeks. We will also deliver and install dozens of outhouses and beds to community members who have submitted requests.
This week we will host our first community dinner of the season. These events provide an opportunity for talented local artists and crafters to sell their work and visit with our volunteers, who can do some shopping and connect over fellowship and a shared meal. Building relationships has always been central to the work Re-Member is engaged in here on Pine Ridge and community dinner is a tremendous example of this work being carried out in practice. We will continue hosting community dinner events every Wednesday evening through the end of the season.
As we near the official start of summer, it will soon be Wacipi, or powwow season here on the reservation. The season begins with the annual Veteran’s Wacipi, which we will attend with our volunteers next week. The event officially begins when hundreds of riders on horseback return from a four-day journey, known as the Crazy Horse Ride. This ride starts near Fort Robinson in Nebraska and concludes as the riders pour into the powwow grounds in Pine Ridge Village on Thursday evening. This event commemorates the death of Oglala Lakota leader and warrior Crazy Horse and honors his legacy, as well as the legacy of all veterans.
In the weeks that follow we will bring volunteers to powwows that are hosted in communities across the reservation. It is always powerful to witness the strength and beauty of Oglala Lakota culture at these events. To hear the drumbeat, to celebrate with the community, and come together over food, dancing, and song.
Join us on the reservation and you can experience these wonderful events for yourself! We appreciate the continued support of all of those who keep up with our work and we hope to see you on the reservation in 2024 or beyond!
Re-Member Year End Celebration: Save the Date: Saturday, October 12
Re-Member will once again be hosting our annual Year-End Celebration in the suburbs of Minneapolis. We invite you to join us as we look back on the 2024 season, celebrate our successes, our staff, our supporters, and look forward to the future. This gathering is a great opportunity to connect with other volunteers and folks affiliated with Re-Member.
The event will be hosted at the Crowne Plaza in Plymouth, MN on Saturday, October 12.
Visit our website to learn more about the event and to purchase a ticket!
Support Local Oglala Lakota Artisans and Crafters: Shop The Re-Member Store
If you are unable to make it out to the reservation to attend a community dinner or purchase arts and/or crafts in person, consider visiting the Re-Member Online Store. The store has all sorts of jewelry, quillwork, beadwork, paintings and more available for purchase, all of which has been crafted by incredibly talented creators right here on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Visit the site today to check out what’s in stock!
We are so grateful for all of those who join us as volunteers and those who support us from a distance. We cannot do the work we do without all of you – you are Re-Member. Thank you for being a part of our story, as we continue working to build a better today – and tomorrow – alongside the Oglala Lakota people.