Sung Nagi Okolakiciye Sunka Wakan Un Wicozanikte

RAPID CITY – Delaney Apple’s belief, that Lakota cultural teachings and lifeway practices will rekindle Lakota identity and lead to a reduction in crime and violence in at risk neighborhoods, resulted in a Lakota social gathering that attracted people from all around He Sapa (the Black Hills).

More than a hundred people attended the Wicouncage Okolakiciye Tokala Horse Camp at Thunder Horse Stables at 3315 South Valley Drive in Rapid Valley which began on Friday, February 17 and ended Monday, February 20.

Apple came up with idea for The Wicouncage Okolakiciye Tokala Horse Camp after the loss of several young relatives that were killed at the Surfwood and Knollwood apartments in North Rapid. After doing vigil after vigil, and with the community asking him to pray at each vigil, he decided to become proactive, and think ahead.

“Given the exacerbating violence and drug related events, we felt a responsibility to facilitate gathering individuals, families, and the community together and continue efforts in support of individual, family and community healing,” Apple stated.

He started the first camp last year at the Surfwood apartments beginning with two symbolic tipis. He brought in horses and had a fire and camped out with community members for four days. The camp had such a good response from the community that he organized another camp in Lakota Homes. This time they had four tipis, so it doubled from two to four tipis and the camp had twenty five youth and two adults. That camp was held for four days.

This year the Wicouncage Okolakiciye Tokala Horse Camp grew to ten tipis the first night with six campers per tipi. The demand was so great that the second night organizers had to erect more tipis to accommodate everyone that came to heal with the horses.

Altogether they had sixty youth camping out with fifteen adults that registered for overnight camping. Day campers signed in and registered each morning. Meals were provided each day. Children under 10 were accompanied by an adult.

There were many events that took place during the Wicouncage Okolakiciye Tokala Horse Camp. Throughout the day a Hanpapecu Youth Handgame Tournament was played at the stables.

On February 18 the camp held Iyuskinyan Tunpi a Social Dance. They had a Wioste Olowan singing contest, with cash prizes. Afterwards they had a Birthday Social Dance honoring our Tiyospaye Eli Black Bear, Miguel Moreno and Gracie Red Shirt. The camp also held a Tiny Tot special honoring Eli Black Bear and Miguel Moreno as well as a Jingle Dress healing dance honoring Gracie Red Shirt.

“I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the Horses and all the mentors, and most importantly the cooks. There was so many cooks and so many people donated food. The whole time during camp there was always food, drinks and refreshments.” Apple said.

Apple said the goal for camp was for children to take away good thoughts and healing, “These good thoughts, are important to a child’s wellbeing. The camp instilled each camper with a cultural aspect of who they are as Lakota People. The horses and campers united to heal, with pure hearts. This was a way to heal from all the trauma that they have been through.”

After each ride the riders prayed for the Horse Nation and gave them Wopila (thanks) and recognition. Campers accepted the Choke cherry Juice and wasna as a part of the healing process.

“The horses bring the gift of healing and good thoughts. The horses take a lot of our suffering, a lot of our disease and they take all that on,” he said.

Apple recognized that the camp was a representation of what Tiyospaye is all about and how strong the Lakota people are, “The mentors believe the cold weather was a test from the Creator asking them if they willing to do this again. Our ancestors did it in the worst of weather. Even through the cold everyone stuck it out.”

In the Future Apple plans to do annual horse healing camps and a few smaller ones in between. The good thing about this new camp is that they had an Equine Therapist, Bridget Williams, on sight. She helped the children and allowed use of the land bringing attention to her program at Thunder Horse Stables, “She was welcoming of our Native Community. She is a Therapist so she understands the struggles and the traumas that we have and she has Horses.”

In an interview with three kids who participated in the Healing Horse Camp all said they loved the horses. Jaxsyn Claymore said, “What I liked best was the round dancing, and the Tipis were all lit up at night, and especially the horses” All three kids who were interviewed agreed that they would participate again at the next camp

Camp organizers want to recognize the presenters; Justin Baker, Percy White Plume, Bridget Williams, Hawk Eye Montiloux, Osceola Blue Horse, Monique Apple and many more.

A special thanks to the Horse Spirit Tokala Society and Percy White Plume for leading the horses and guiding the kids around.

Thank you to all the cooks who made the meals; Roxanne Apple, Beverly Bad Medicine, Syd Claymore, Norma Reden (Womans Program) and many more.

Thank you to the Young Men Tokala Society and all those who helped set up camp.

Thank you to all who brought horses and the Red Horse Healing for providing Equine Therapy for the youth.

Thank you Bridget Williams for allowing use of her property for the camp this year.

The event was sponsored by Frank Star Comes Out Administration, NDN Collective, Great Plains Tribal Leaders Association, Red Horse Healing, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Tokala Wicouncage Okolakiciye

(Contact Christopher Pina at pinachris369@gmail.com)

(Contact Ernestine Anunkasan Hupa at stafwriter@nativesunnews.today)

 

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