Day 5

This morning we awoke to a beautiful sunny and hot day after last night’s storm.  We had our community breakfast at the Teen Center and divided into two groups.  Our main tasks for the day were to set up for Friday’s rummage sale and to bake items for the bake sale.  The Cheyenne River Youth Project, also referred to as “The Main” has volunteers conduct these sales to help with the expenses of the youth programs and the building costs.  It also allows the local community to find affordable clothing, toys, etc.  In Eagle Butte, which is the tribal headquarters for the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, there are few stores.  There are only two restaurants and two gas stations.  Yet, they have so much more than the smaller communities like Red Scaffold  that have nothing but homes.

We were able to have lunch today at the Nutrition Center and visit with many of the elders of the community.  It was a great opportunity to hear their stories!  Michelle Schlatter has many male admirers throughout the reservation! (Jealous, Rod?) 

We had a little down time in the afternoon, since we might have a busy, late evening.  We have been asked by our friends in Red Scaffold to come to a mini pow-wow and potluck dinner.  We felt it was extremely important to make this happen, so we’ll be on the road again tonight (three hours roundtrip).  We are lucky, however, that we can afford the gas for all our travels.  Many of the people here are not as fortunate! 

Anne Hoffman

 P.S.  I’m so proud to be part of this amazing group of members from CCCC;  Kids and adults are working together so well and are building meaningful relationships with our South Dakota communities!