Woyatan Church steps in to fill the gap after Hope Center closing

RAPID CITY – The Woyatan Lutheran Church expanded services this week to the unsheltered community with the full support and permit from the city of Rapid City. Pastor Jonathan Old Horse told Native Sun News Today that they are having 90 days of prayer and ceremony which they will hold two times a day: drum, devotional and wipe-down, followed by prayer and a meal. He said “Woyatan is a church and its mission statement is Tunkasila through scripture, culture and community. It’s always been our mission. It’s the centerpiece of who we are. We have a school here. We feed people after church. We have a youth program. During the summer we feed three times a day.”

Woyatan has stepped into the gap created by the closing of the Hope Center on December 8, which provided services for homeless and houseless people. Community members without permanent residence will now be able to use the Woyatan address so they can receive essential mail, documents and information.

In a press release announcing the expansion of services, Woyatan said they are proud to offer this expansion to individuals experiencing living unsheltered. This action aligns with the Church’s longstanding commitment to serving the community guided by the principles of compassion, empathy and inclusivity. Old Horse said being able to provide these services is a fundamental expression of their Native American traditions, faith and dedication to making a positive impact for those in need.

The press release continues saying that specifically ministering to Native American community members is their right granted by the First Amendment and the American Indian Freedom Public Law 95-341. This law states among other things, that the religious practices of Native Americans is an integral part of their culture, tradition and heritage and such practices are the basis of Indian identify and value system.

The city of Rapid City has identified specific organizations to provide services to this segment of the population none of them however have been run by Native Americans. The Native American organizations that are on the frontlines have had their solutions turned-down by the city. Old Horse said when Woyatan had turned the church into a houseless shelter, it was the first time Rapid City had an Indian run shelter, from the day after Christmas until the end of April. He said “the relatives, they like it here because it’s culturally relevant to them, they had access to the drum. To the sacred medicines. Always getting spiritually fed”.

At that time, Old Horse said the police were a good partner. Natives who were on the street were asked if they wanted to go to the safe bed or Woyatan. “Ninety-percent of them would come to Woyatan” Old Horse said, “because the church is not wasicu Christianity but is all Lakota”. The sanctuary is filled with Native American symbols which Old Horse says are a “reminder of where we come from, our seven laws, reminding ourselves how to conduct ourselves.” Quilts line the walls, each one representing one of the seven laws: compassion, generosity, wisdom, perseverance, bravery, honesty and humility.

Another solution which was denied was the renting of the old Albertson’s which has remained empty since the grocery chain left West River. Old Horse said the plan was to use it as storage space. When the weather would turn deadly, then the resources housed there would be pulled-out and set-up to serve the houseless with the ability to pack it up, put it away and restock for the next weather event. Again, Old Horse said that fell through.

Like the Albertson’s building, the Coco Palace property has been empty and has fallen into disrepair. A plan to purchase that property with cash from various sources was also denied by the City. Officials said it was too close to North Middle School and busy streets. Old Horse argued it would bring community revitalization, brighten up the neighborhood and “bring resources to a community that is already plagued by this lifestyle.”

Another solution that would not require a permanent location, was to provide temporary shelter in the form of mobile warming centers. So, vans were purchased and used to offer short rides so people could warm-up with hand warmers, blankets and food. Old Horse said the city wasn’t supportive of that plan either, repeating what has become the city’s mantra, that any assistance outside of the umbrella of city-approved organizations, is only enabling the homeless. “This plan came about because no one was able to secure a permanent location,” said Old Horse.

Old Horse said they usually have plans to meet with the city, plan how to come together but there was no planning this year. He said the use of the word “day shelter” caused so much controversy he feared the city would come and shut them down. “I feel it’s a civil and mental threat of trying to rezone us,” said Old Horse. “They came with friendly faces but rezoning would allow revocation of changes and shutting down the organization.”

Old Horse noted that Woyatan’s sister congregation, Trinity Lutheran Church which is located downtown across from the Pennington County Courthouse has been doing this kind of work for years, unmolested. “They don’t get harassed by city officials in the same way that Woyatan does. But it’s because we aren’t part of the normal set of programs here. Our main mission was to take care of children. We have been pushed into this position as we wait for others to fill the gap, those who are better prepared than we are to do those things.”

Old Horse said as they uphold the spirit of the American Indian Religious Freedom Joint Resolution enacted by the 95^th Congress of the United States, Woyatan invites the community to celebrate and recognize this milestone, as the church remains committed to serving the Native American community and strengthening bonds with all community members.

(Contact Marnie Cook at staffwriter@nativesunnews.today)

The post Woyatan Church steps in to fill the gap after Hope Center closing first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

Visit Original Source