Earrings with a purpose

Inmates in the Jameson Annex in the South Dakota state prison in Sioux Falls have beaded 200 red ribbon skirt earrings as a fundraising effort to support and bring awareness to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Vice President of the LDN (Lakota, Dakota, Nakota) Spiritual Group, Cody Hopkins reached out from behind bars to get these earrings into Indian Country. (Photo by Richie Richards)

PIERRE – Inmates in the maximum custody unit in the G. Norton Jameson Annex have beaded 200 earrings to be sold as a fundraiser in support of and to bring awareness to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).
The Native American inmates who created the artwork and beaded the earrings are part of the LDN Spiritual Group inside Jameson Annex. This group of men meets regularly to put on powwows, cultural conferences, and events to honor leaders in the community. The powwows and cultural conferences take place four times per year.
LDN Spiritual Group provides an opportunity for inmates to connect with their higher power, while using spirituality as a means of healing and accepting their circumstances. Honorees are given beadwork and artwork constructed by inmates during these powwows and conferences.
Vice President, Cody Hopkins of LDN, has reached out from behind bars to the community to promote a fundraiser and raise awareness for the MMIW cause. Murdered and missing indigenous women have come to the forefront of the American consciousness recently when President Donald Trump signed an executive order which established a federal task force to address the MMIW pandemic.
The men’s group inside Jameson Annex is aware of the goings-on in the nation and Indian Country. This group allows for inmates to help in causes and provides an opportunity to give back to the community. This is a form of professional development for these men.
In a letter provided to Native Sun News Today and written by LDN Vice President Cody Hopkins, he explains the intention of this fundraiser and mission. “On behalf of the LDN Spiritual Group located in the Jameson Annex of the South Dakota State Penitentiary, we would like to invite you to join us in helping to raise awareness for the missing and murdered indigenous women across the nation,” said Hopkins.
The inmate leader explained that inmates can feel helpless at times and speakers come in and educate the men on the trauma of reservation and urban Indian life. They realize the trauma their own crimes have caused their victims and their own families. Despite being locked up, Hopkins said there is still hope. “As Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota men, we pray for all those who are missing and murdered as the families who have yet to find closure,” said Hopkins. “At each of our inipi (sweat lodge) and canunpa (sacred pipe) ceremonies, as well as each waking day, you are always in our thoughts and prayers.”
LDN has collaborated to find innovative ways to support groups already bringing awareness to the MMIW movement. MMIW has become an international cause as tribal members from across North America are having similar experiences when it comes to finding these women and solving these murders.
“We have made 200 pairs of earrings and plan to sell them at $25 per pair. All proceeds will help to bring awareness to this matter. Half of the proceeds will go to the Red Ribbon Skirt Society, and half will go to Urban Indian Health of Pierre and Sioux Falls. These groups have been working diligently to bring awareness to their communities and support families who have loved ones missing or murdered.
Ardon Long Soldier, 40, (Oglala Lakota) and Thomas Randall, 44, (Oglala Lakota) have created the drawings for the fundraiser. According to Hopkins, the first 50 people who purchase a pair of earrings during LNI will get a print of the artwork.
Creating 200 pairs of earrings is not easy task, especially for an inmate in a South Dakota prison. During the preparation of these earrings, Hopkins said he had to purchase materials from other inmates just to reach the goal of 200 pairs. The following inmates should be mentioned for their work and dedication to the awareness campaign.
• Robert Hernandez, 26, Oglala Lakota, Pine Ridge
• Cody Hopkins, 34, Rapid City
• Nathanal Johnson, 31, Rapid City
• Gary White, 65, Sisseton Dakota Sioux
• Walter Jandreau, 36, Sioux Yankton
• Harold LeClaire, 27, Cheyenne River, Eagle Butte
• Lance Baumgarten, 33, Cheyenne River, Eagle Butte
• Richard Pounds, 34, Chippewa, Sioux City, IA
• Sean Kilbourn, 31,Winner
• Darrell Hoadley, 40, Cheyenne, WY
• Kyle Thomsen, 26, Pipestone, MN
“We would appreciate your support and generosity in helping bring awareness to MMIW and the foundations already doing so. You can purchase these earrings at a booth during this year’s LNI (Lakota Nation Invitational) in Rapid City in December. Wopila tanka for your help and support. Mitakuye oyasin,” closed Hopkins in his letter to the community.
Hopkins and the men from the LDN Spiritual Group hope to make this a regularly occurring awareness campaign. The men are already planning the next round of earrings in support of the men, women and children who are murdered and missing in Indian Country. This humble campaign was created through the desire of maximum unit inmates wanting to create positive change on the outside.