Three Oglala on Rapid City Youth Council

Three Oglala on Rapid City Youth Council

By Clara Caufield,

                              

RAPID CITY –   On Tuesday, January 11th, Adrianna Young, Oglala, was sworn into office for the Rapid City Youth City Council (RCYTC) beginning a two year term.  Another new Council member, Peyton Swallow, also Oglala was unable to attend the swearing in ceremony, not feeling well.  This brings the total of Native Americans on RCYTC to three of the 18-member Council.  Sho Shanna Piper, also Oglala now is in the second year of her term.

Kristen Kiner, Rapid City Public Schools and RCYTC advisor said, “These young people are showing us the way.  Race is not significant to them.  These young Natives are getting involved in public service at a young age and who knows?  Maybe one day they will be on the actual Common City Council.”

Recently, due to the efforts of council member Sho Shanna Piper, RCYTC developed a Resolution in response to the recent actions taken by the South Dakota Board of Education regarding the removal of Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings (7th Generation/Lakota history and cultural studies) from the states Social Studies Standards.  The Resolution is directed to South Dakota Board of Education Standards, the State Social Studies Standards Revision Commission and Department of Education.

The resolution, initiated by Piper states:  The Rapid City Youth City Council finds that removal of Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Stands is of great seriousness, requiring all of us to act as a supportive community.  The RCYCC further deemed that the resolution on Oceti Sakowin culture and history is the single most important agenda item before them.

The resolution concludes with the following statement:  The RCYCC encourages those collectively responsible for this matter to ensure that Oceti Sakowin Essential Understanding and Standards are included in authentic and meaningful ways in the South Dakota Social Studies Standards.

Sho Shanna initiated the resolution at the RCYCC level and after consideration discussion was approved unanimously.   Earlier in January it was presented to the Common City Council by Sho Shanna and other Youth Council members and also passed.

A relatively new concept in city government, youth must fill out a formal application, which is reviewed by a committee including a Common City Council and area educators for those selected to serve two year terms. RCYCC members must be 14-18 years of age and must attend a secondary school that services Rapid City residents, live within the City of Rapid City and/or be homeschooled, or have dropped out after attending a school servicing City residents.

The Youth City Council meets monthly in the City Council Chambers, while its committees meet more often.  Parliamentary procedure is strictly followed with the guidance of advisors.  The RCYCC has the following nonbinding duties:  advise the Common Council on matters related to youth; promote civic engagement among youth; and provide its membership at least one member to attend public Common Council meetings as a monitor to relay information back to the Youth City Council at their monthly meetings.  The members of the Youth City Council are given opportunities to review and discuss Rapid City Common Council agendas to gain knowledge and insight on important community issues and learn about City issues from different departments of the City.

This year the RC Common Council has appropriated $23,000 for the Youth Council used to support their civic activities. Youth Council members do not receive compensation for their service.

Sho Shanna Piper is 18, daughter of Deziree Martinez and attends Rapid City High School.  One of 14 siblings, she has also participated in volleyball, though art is her primary passion.  “I’m kind of shy,” she said quietly but this resolution lets me stand up for something I believe in.”

In February, Piper will be one five RCYCC members selected to attend the National League of Cities annual meeting in Washington, DC where the opportunity to meet with other youth leaders will be available. She is considering other ways to share Lakota culture, such as teaching her fellow council member to play hand games, history and stories.  “They are very supportive of that,” she commented.

Adriana Young, age 16 attends Central High School, Rapid City, daughter of Beth Young (Rosebud) and Juaton Young (Oglala).  A member of the National Honor Society, she maintains a straight 4.0 GPA; plays basketball on both the junior varsity and varsity squads.  Her goal is to attend Harvard University and become a lawyer.  Her only brother, Xavier currently attends Western South Dakota Tech, studying criminal justice.

Adrianna recently participated in a student walk-out at Central to protest the proposed removal of Oceti Sakowin studies from the South Dakota social studies curriculum.  “That was so cool!” she enthused.  Between 125-150 students participated and really backed the Native students up on this issue.

It is not just for us, everyone in South Dakota needs to know about our history and culture”.

RCYCC members include: Rylan Barnett, Laura Jensen, Evyenia Rose Gillen, Kiran Kelly,

Megan Stagner, Victoria Lujan, Natalie Johnson, Peyton Swallow, Tristan Eizinger, Caitlynn Gregerson,

Sadie Colbeck, Kaitlynn Wellman, Kaci Kirschenman, Sho-Shanna Piper, Tae Swanson, Blake Bush,

and Dhruv Goyal.

 

 

(Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com)

 

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