Dallin’s life story
The youth also enjoyed learning about Cyrus Dallin’s life story. “It was similar to our lifestyle,” noted Deshawheigh Iron Cloud.
After touring the museum, the children participated in a clay-sculpture workshop, using a technique similar to what Dallin would have used.
“They absolutely loved learning how to sculpt, and it’s gratifying to see how much they get out of the program. This isn’t an art form they are familiar with on the reservation, so it’s nice to see them so receptive to it,” said Leavell.
“I loved putting all the details and clay on my sculpture. It was so much fun,” said Liu D’Arcy.
Landon Pretends Eagle, who made an astronaut figurine, also enjoyed working with clay because “it’s creative, and the clay starts out squishy and then five minutes later it becomes hard.”
Whirlwind tour of greater Boston
During their one-week visit, the Lakota youth stayed with local host families, many with children their own age. In addition to the Dallin Museum, they attended a Red Sox game and visited Harvard University, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, Lexington and Concord historical sites, and the Wampanoag tribe in Mashpee, where they toured tribal lands.
Dawa Iron Cloud particularly enjoyed Teepee Day, when she danced with a group of Wampanoag tribe dancers.
Lakota member and youth adviser Christy Webber, who helped chaperone the group, said, “I liked watching their expressions as they experienced new things, such as flying on an airplane for the first time. I also enjoyed seeing their confidence and comfort level rise during the trip, as well as the bonds they made both with one another and the children in the host families.”
Lakota YouthStay program
The Lakota children are here as part of the Lakota YouthStay program. Now in its third year, this program seeks to foster “authentic, mutually fulfilling relationships between Native American youth from the Pine Ridge reservation and youth/adults from eastern Massachusetts,” according to the program’s brochure.
“I liked making new friends here, and we plan to keep in touch,” said Briley Ferguson.
Local resident Joy Harris is the Lakota YouthStay founder and director. She started this program because “the Native American philosophy of life and their cultural values, such as respect for the Earth, have always appealed to me.”
In 2012, Harris first visited the Pine Ridge reservation, where she worked with their “Re-Member” organization, coordinating volunteers in performing building projects. Together, they built bunk beds, ramps and outhouses, and insulated trailers. “I totally fell in love with the people and place, and went every year after that.”
In 2015, while visiting the reservation with a group of Boston University students, Harris learned that a higher-than-normal incidence of suicides had occurred over the winter. Harris then discussed with young people on the reservation the possibility of an exchange program, with the goal of helping them inspire hope about their future, develop friendships and increase cultural awareness for people living here. The exchange program was approved in 2016, and began the following year.
Life on Pine Ridge reservation
Pine Ridge is the eighth-largest reservation in the United States and the poorest. The unemployment rate is more than 80 percent, and the average family income just $8,000/year.
Consequently, the population suffers from numerous health conditions, including high mortality rates, depression, alcoholism, drug abuse, malnutrition and diabetes.
Education is also severely lacking. The school drop-out rate is over 70 percent, and the teacher turnover rate eight times the U.S. national average.
This news feature was published Monday, July 22, 2019.
