Youth from the Cheyenne River Youth Project visit Washington D.C. to learn how to be leaders and meet with state representatives.
EAGLE BUTTE, S.D.-Earlier this month, five Lakota teens who are participating in the Cheyenne River Youth Project's "Growing Into Wowachinyepi" program traveled to Washington, D.C. to learn to articulate and pitch their individual platforms and learn more about becoming leaders and culture-bearers for the Lakota nation.
The Growing Into Wowachinyepi initiative was designed to honor the Cheyenne River community's youth leaders in a culturally relevant and respectful way, while also giving participants opportunities to continue their leadership journey. The youth project created the program in conjunction with the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute, modeling it on CNAY's existing "Champions for Change" program.
The word wowachinyepi means "one who the people can depend on." The CRYP program promotes that distinctly Lakota view of leadership while honoring and recognizing young people who exemplify their community's values. Cheyenne River's 2018 Growing Into Wowachinyepi Champions are Claudia Iron Hawk, 18; Daniel Semon, 18; Jaymalee Turning Heart, 17; Randi Little Star, 16; and Oliver Miner, 16.
All five have been active in CRYP's ground-breaking internship program, following tracks in wellness, the arts, sustainable agriculture and social enterprise. For their platforms, Semon and Turning Heart chose suicide prevention; Miner and Little Star chose drug and alcohol awareness; and Iron Hawk selected revitalization of the Lakota language.
"Growing Into Wowachinyepi has allowed them to continue their leadership journey through professional skills-building workshops, leadership training and holistic wellness training," said Jerica Widow, CRYP's youth programs director. "This exciting, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. is a critical component in that journey."
On their first day in the nation's capital, the Cheyenne River teens went through specific training to handle introductions, pitch their own unique platform, and share their perspectives on why they care about this particular work.
"They practiced several times, and CNAY Executive Director Erik Stedman gave them valuable tips for public speaking," Widow said. "Their next training was Advocacy 191 with Denise Desiderio. All the kids agreed that she gave them tons of good information about current budgets, and how their initiatives tie into those budgets. They said they now have some good funding ideas to bring home to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe!"
The final training that day was with a CNAY senior communications professional who taught them how to utilize social media to reach out to their peers and support their platforms. Widow noted that it was eye-opening for the teens to understand how their own social media content might be perceived.
On the next day, the Cheyenne River youth visited the office of Rep. Kristy Noem (R-SD) and learned about the $7 billion budget for opioid addiction that just passed, of which their tribes would get $3- or $4-million."
The group also met with staff members for Sen. John Thune (R-SD) to discuss funding for CRST, and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD).
According to Widow, the meetings motivated the teens, who expressed their gratitude to CNAY and CRYP for helping them. They're energized about their platforms and seek to make a difference on Cheyenne River.
"I know if we all stop being scared, and do our best for our loved ones, we can save lives," Turning Heart said.
To stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on Facebook (/LakotaYouth), Twitter (@LakotaYouth) and Instagram (@waniyetuwowapi).
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.
The Center for Native American Youth is a policy program of The Aspen Institute, located in Washington, D.C., CNAY believes Native American youth should lead full and healthy lives, have equal access to opportunity and draw strength from their culture and one another. CNAY focuses on the resilience of Native youth and supports them through youth recognition, inspiration leadership, research, advocacy and policy change; serving as a national resource exchange; and by developing strengths-based Native youth media
opportunities.
