S.D. Peeps
Justen Haynes
Every one we met at the res was so welcoming and fun loving. They made our stay that much worth it. I felt at home and that was the most important thing. I will truly never forget the people I met because they made big difference in the trip.
Return to Top

Mitakuye Oyas’in (All My Relations) by Jim To the Lakota, the phrase “Mitakuye Oyas’in” is much more than just a greeting or a saying. In two words it summarizes their philosophy of life, and the place of humans in relation to the rest of creation. Mitakuye Oyas’in means that as humans we are equal to the creation around us; the tree giving us shade is our brother, the stones giving us support are our grandfathers. According to Lakota belief, trees and stones are not simply plants and inanimate objects, instead they are members of different “oyate” or nations. For instance, there is a tree nation and a stone nation. The Lakota particularly revere the Buffalo nation, as they believe the Buffalo nation exists to serve and sustain the Human nation. In tune with that responsibility, we have a responsibility as an “oyate” to support our fellow “oyate”. The Lakota only hunt what they need to hunt, and they hunt what they need to hunt in comparatively humane ways. For instance, one Buffalo was hunted for the Sundance ceremony, and it was hunted by means of bow and arrow, one arrow to the head. All parts of that buffalo were used. All parts that could be eaten were eaten, from the meat to the organs. A use was found for all other parts. Mitakuye Oyas’in also dictates that we are equal to all other humans. Americans and Lakotas are relatives just as the French and Americans are relatives, the French and the Lakotas are relatives, and just about every other combination you can think of.
Return to Top

The Queen of Fry Bread and Her Princessesby Deveon While on the reservation, I was instantly enticed with the idea of being a vital help in the cook shack. Think about it, the chopping of knives, the clang of utensils, the inevitable smell of things that I would rather not ask what they were. On my first day at the job, everyone involved with the construction and instruction of the cook shack, were running around like their heads were chopped off and they kept repeating “Oh I don’t know, check with Madonna” or “I’m not sure that’s the way Madonna wants it” or even “I’m not Madonna, you’d better go ask her” and I couldn’t help but wonder was this Madonna as demanding as her superstar name was popular. I even had a fleeting thought that I was actually working with the Hard Candy Madonna [No such luck]. Instead, I got a no nonsense, hardworking pro at cooking for crowds, cook shack leader. Madonna had been working in the cook shack for the past 15 years, taking over for her mother. Talk about a true top chef. Or a sergeant. Speaking of the military, Madonna ran her kitchen with an iron knife. Or tongs. She valued what cooking meant, and she passed that knowledge to me. Once she realized I was hungry [not that literal, but still could eat] for learning, she taught me how to make fry bread, which is the East coast equivalent of Colonel Sanders teaching Elmo the secret recipe of fried chicken. Althopugh I thought I was not worthy, she believed me to be. From there I taught, Avery, who then showed the others. Soon enough, I became a regular in the cook shack. Fry bread is one of the most dynamic recipes anyone can learn to make because when you’re done,. Because at the end of the making of the item you realize it’s just bread! Which means you can dip it in sugar and call it sweet bread. Or you could can drizzle some chocolate sauce on it, with a scoop of French Vanilla Ice cream. That’s to make it a great dessert. The possibilities aren’t endless but they can pretty much fill the Grand Canyon., if you have a mind like mines. I hope you don’t because it’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Actually if my mind was a sharp utensil, it would be a spoon. Don’t mock the spoon, they can scratch you.
Return to Top

Harley
Justen Haynes
The one dog I liked on the res was Harley. Not only did we mistake him for a girl named Sara, but we also failed to understand that he was obsessed with our headlamps. But overall he was a good dog and never seemed to be on the res. He always play fought with Max the other res dog that we also mistaken for a dog named Mike. But we will all miss both of them because they kept us company at all times. Harley reminded Jazz of her dog and every other dog she saw did the same. I felt for her when I saw the prairie dogs.
Return to Top

All My Relations
Justen Haynes
AMR is something that the Lakota’s felt meant that everyone on the res is related and they share a sacred bond. I liked the idea of the whole thing and it made me feel even more welcome.
Return to Top

D’s B-Day
by Deveon
I had the fortunate experience wonderful experience of having a my birthday while I was on the trip. Whoo Hoo! How lucky can you get?. At first I felt kind of… angry because for the past 6 years I was spoiled on my birthday. Regardless of what was going on, or personal engagements, or even the weather, my friends and family have trekked through the snow to make sure I got what I wanted. To all standards this was by far one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had had. The day started with a It started with this fantastic breakfast while we were on the reservation. That day, July 28th, was supposed to be clean-up and it began to congratulate and thank to all the help. But I pretended it was all for me [hey it worked]me and it worked. Then I got was presented with an amazing gift by a good friend and Oklahoma mother, Cynthia. I was exceptionally pleased with this present. But it gets gets better. I got to witness Homer and Avery beat the crap out a faded carpet. Not to mention, on our way back here,Later that day, Homer and Jen surprised us [especially me] with a trip to McDonalds. As much as I was talking about how much I loved their chocolate shakes and the number 2 meal- two cheeseburgers, large fries and a soda, automatically substituted for a large chocolate shake, $5.19, standard New Jersey price- and how many times I went there. So through all my gab they were listening and delivered the ultimate prize. I can honestly say- and I have no embarrassment about divulging this- that I literally cried when I walked through the doors of the creators of The Big Mac and McFlurry. I’m serious! After 15 days of eating powered milk with cereal, pepperoni sandwiches and dinner that was excellent, but looked like it could have been a Lean Cuisine product, I had trans fat and flame broiled burgers. At McDonalds I pretty much I ate 17 times more food than I ordinarily would have but that’s okay. I could because I’m special. Well, at least for that day I was. For a 17th birthday, it was 17 times more awesome than I anticipated . However, I’ve conceded to spend my 18th special day in pure civilization, with toilets and running water. No this isn’t because I didn’t enjoy myself., Actually it is because had become unfamiliar with the McDonalds menu and to me, and that’s scary.. That’s scary.
Return to Top