{"id":9579,"date":"2019-12-11T11:43:38","date_gmt":"2019-12-11T16:43:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/earrings-with-a-purpose\/"},"modified":"2019-12-11T11:43:40","modified_gmt":"2019-12-11T16:43:40","slug":"earrings-with-a-purpose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/earrings-with-a-purpose\/","title":{"rendered":"Earrings with a purpose"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

PIERRE \u2013 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).
\nThe 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.
\nLDN 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.
\nVice 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.
\nThe men\u2019s 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.
\nIn 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. \u201cOn 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,\u201d said Hopkins.
\nThe 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. \u201cAs Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota men, we pray for all those who are missing and murdered as the families who have yet to find closure,\u201d said Hopkins. \u201cAt 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.\u201d
\nLDN 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.
\n\u201cWe 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.
\nArdon 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.
\nCreating 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.
\n\u2022 Robert Hernandez, 26, Oglala Lakota, Pine Ridge
\n\u2022 Cody Hopkins, 34, Rapid City
\n\u2022 Nathanal Johnson, 31, Rapid City
\n\u2022 Gary White, 65, Sisseton Dakota Sioux
\n\u2022 Walter Jandreau, 36, Sioux Yankton
\n\u2022 Harold LeClaire, 27, Cheyenne River, Eagle Butte
\n\u2022 Lance Baumgarten, 33, Cheyenne River, Eagle Butte
\n\u2022 Richard Pounds, 34, Chippewa, Sioux City, IA
\n\u2022 Sean Kilbourn, 31,Winner
\n\u2022 Darrell Hoadley, 40, Cheyenne, WY
\n\u2022 Kyle Thomsen, 26, Pipestone, MN
\n\u201cWe 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\u2019s LNI (Lakota Nation Invitational) in Rapid City in December. Wopila tanka for your help and support. Mitakuye oyasin,\u201d closed Hopkins in his letter to the community.
\nHopkins 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.<\/p>\n

(Contact Richie Richards at richie4175@gmail.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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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 <\/p>\n

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Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> December 11, 2019<\/p>\n

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