{"id":39244,"date":"2025-09-18T20:51:41","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T01:51:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/lakota-youth-join-cheyenne-river-youth-project-for-healing-camp-at-bear-butte\/"},"modified":"2025-09-18T20:51:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T01:51:46","slug":"lakota-youth-join-cheyenne-river-youth-project-for-healing-camp-at-bear-butte","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/lakota-youth-join-cheyenne-river-youth-project-for-healing-camp-at-bear-butte\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakota Youth join Cheyenne River Youth Project for Healing Camp at Bear Butte"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Campers<\/a><\/p>\n

Campers also hiked to the 4,426- and 7,242-foot summits of sacred Math\u00f3 Pah\u00e1 (Bear Mountain, or Bear Butte) and Heh\u00e1ka S\u00e1pa (Black Elk Peak), and engaged in individual hanbl\u00e9ciya (meditation). (Photo courtesy CRYP)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

BEAR BUTTE \u2014 The Cheyenne River Youth Project continued its series of seasonal Lakota culture camps in August with Koskalaka Woaphiye Wichothi (young men\u2019s healing camp). The camp took place on Aug. 15-17 at Wakanyeja Kin Wana Ku Pi (The Children Are Coming Home), CRYP\u2019s 39-acre property adjacent to Bear Butte State Park.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got to do everything I wanted to do this summer in just one weekend at that camp,\u201d said one of the seven youth participants, who ranged in age from 13 to 17.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a powerful statement,\u201d said Julie Garreau, CRYP\u2019s founder and chief executive officer. \u201cIt demonstrates that providing access to cultural heritage and sacred places is critical for the healthy development of our young people. It fosters pride and strength in a way that is essential for them to have a more resilient future.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two-night camp focused on what it means to be a Lakota Wicasa (man), incorporating lessons about healthy expressions of masculinity, effective ways to manage emotions and channel them into positive action, and how to connect with other young men through healthy activities. CRYP Arts Manager Wakinyan Chief and Garden & Facilities Manager Dalton Fischer guided the group, joined by Lakota culture bearer and mentor Seth Picotte.<\/p>\n

During the weekend, campers participated in in\u00edpi (Lakota sweat lodge), learning that the ceremony is not only about cleansing but also about letting go. They also listened to the story of Pte San Win (White Buffalo Calf Pipe Woman), and learned how Lakota spirituality rests on the sacred balance of the divine feminine and masculine.<\/p>\n

\u201cA true Lakota Wicasa is a provider, protector and defender of women, children and elders,\u201d Wakinyan Chief said. \u201cHe is never a predator.\u201d<\/p>\n

The CRYP team invited Lakota elders Manny and Renee Iron Hawk to spend time with the campers while they were at Wakanyeja Kin Wana Ku Pi. They talked about a Lakota Wicasa\u2019s traditional roles and responsibilities and the devastating impact of domestic violence, which was not tolerated in traditional Lakota society.<\/p>\n

Campers also hiked to the 4,426- and 7,242-foot summits of sacred Mat.\u00f3 Pah\u00e1 (Bear Mountain, or Bear Butte) and He.\u00e1ka S\u00e1pa (Black Elk Peak), and engaged in individual hanbl\u00e9ciya (meditation). In their surveys, campers said other highlights included learning how to put up a tipi, swimming at Sylvan and Pactola lakes, connecting around the campfire, and learning more about Lakota culture from a male perspective.<\/p>\n

\u201cCamp was an amazing experience,\u201d said one camper. Another said, \u201cIt was helpful because it got me out of Eagle Butte and grounded with nature,\u201d while a third added, \u201cI want to experience more stuff like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked if they have male role models in their lives, many campers included Wakinyan Chief and Dalton Fischer on their lists. One observed, \u201cI didn\u2019t, until meeting Wakinyan.\u201d<\/p>\n

They also shared that they believe a good Lakota Wicasa will be respectful and honest, help his relatives, provide for his family, avoid alcohol and drugs, and live W\u00f3lakhota (in keeping with Lakota values and lifeways). One camper said he wants to become \u201ca kind man, who is strong, honest and humble,\u201d and another said he wants to be \u201cstrong, courageous, respectful and honest.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is CRYP\u2019s second seasonal camp of 2025. In early June, teen participants in the Wetu (Spring) Camp hiked the Bear Butte Summit Trail and learned more about the ecology of the untouched mixed-grass prairie\u2014including the traditional foods and medicines that grow wild on CRYP\u2019s certified-organic property.<\/p>\n

Next on deck: A fall young men\u2019s healing camp for the teens who complete Lakol Wicho\u2019han kin Kikoskalakapi, CRYP\u2019s Lakota Culture Internship. According to Wakinyan Chief, the camp will include a shield medallion workshop with Austin Red Dog, who also will teach Lakota language and culture. Additional Lakota Wicasa mentors will take part in the camp, as well.<\/p>\n

The nearly 37-year-old nonprofit youth organization purchased Wakanyeja Kin Wana Ku Pi in 2024\u2014reclaiming access to sacred places long separated from the Lakota people by reservation boundaries. After the formal naming and dedication ceremony in April, CRYP went on to host healing camps for young women and young men at the property.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we purchased these 39 acres across from Mat.\u00f3 Pah\u00e1, some might have seen it as a risk,\u201d Garreau said. \u201cWe saw it as a strategic investment in our youth\u2014a sacred act of healing that would provide a safe, permanent space for cultural reconnection and reclamation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWakanyeja Kin Wana Ku Pi is proving the value of our investment with every camp,\u201d she continued. \u201cThe results have been transformative, and at CRYP, we remain deeply dedicated to investing in spaces that heal and empower the next generation so we can move forward as a strong nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garreau said she and the CRYP team are looking forward to offering even more culture camps, teen internship activities and workshops. The property also will continue to serve as a convenient home base for field trips to sacred sites such as He.\u00e1ka S\u00e1pa, Maka Oniye (Breathing Earth\/Wind Cave) and Mat.\u00f3 Tipila (Bear Lodge\/Devils Tower).<\/p>\n

To learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, call (605) 964-8200 or visit www.lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.<\/p>\n

The Cheyenne River Youth Project, founded in 1988, is a grassroots, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a wide variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities that ensure strong, self-sufficient families and communities.<\/p>\n

(Contact Heather Steinberger at lakotayouth@gmail.com)<\/em><\/p>\n

The post Lakota Youth join Cheyenne River Youth Project for Healing Camp at Bear Butte<\/a> first appeared on Native Sun News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Campers also hiked to the 4,426- and 7,242-foot summits of sacred Math\u00f3 Pah\u00e1 (Bear Mountain, or Bear Butte) and Heh\u00e1ka S\u00e1pa (Black Elk Peak), and engaged in individual hanbl\u00e9ciya (meditation). (Photo courtesy CRYP) BEAR BUTTE \u2014 The Cheyenne River Youth Project continued its series of seasonal Lakota culture camps in <\/p>\n

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Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> September 18, 2025<\/p>\n

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