I recently had the honor of spending two days with my Lakota relatives on the Cheyenne River Sioux reservation in South Dakota. Each day carried its own blessings, and I wanted to share both here.
Day One: Returning to Takini School
It was an honor and a blessing to speak at the Takini School and deliver words of encouragement and upliftment.
I first spoke at this school about 30 years ago. To return all these years later, I was inspired by the strength, the power, and the goodness in all of the students, and it was awesome to hear of their hopes and dreams.
It was a blessing to see some of the staff who still work at the school after all these years. And it was an honor to be back in the Cheyenne River Sioux community alongside my wife, Carmen, who accompanied me on an earlier visit to this same community many years ago. There is nothing more important than encouraging and empowering the next generation of Indigenous people.
Day Two: A Day in Dupree
I am grateful for all the high school students, and for the school faculty, who welcomed me with open arms and open hearts at the Dupree High School in Dupree, South Dakota,
Toward the end of the day, Wanbli, a powerful young warrior, shared with the student body about the presence of Tunkasila, the Creator, in his life, and about the power of prayer. His words were so strong. After he finished expressing himself, he asked if he could sing a prayer song, and his beautiful voice lifted everyone’s spirit and blessed us in such a powerful way.
It’s been decades now that I’ve been visiting my Lakota relatives on this reservation. I am very aware that my relatives here are the descendants of Crazy Horse’s mother, and of course of Crazy Horse himself, and I am always grateful to be welcomed into this community.
Thank you, Toni Handboy, for your support and for your love for the people. Thank you to everyone I crossed paths with for the love and the hospitality during my visit. I will always carry that good medicine with me.
