Zero to Dream Job in 90 Days!
Day #76 Rosebud Nation Part 1
Photo by K Blackwell
One of the most culturally exciting and challenging experiences I have ever had was living in tipis with a group of diverse people on Native lands in South Dakota. The Sicangu Lakota and Rosebud Sioux Tribe, a branch of the Lakota people, lies in South Dakota not far from the Nebraska border.
An intercultural program put together by the Lisle Fellowship Program and the Ghandi Peace Foundation was to take place there and drew my attention as I worked on my Masters degree in Intercultural Relations. I applied, was accepted and before I knew it, I had packed a duffle bag and headed for Brookings SD for a two day orientation at South Dakota State University.
After many talks about the history, cultural background and expectations, and getting to know each other, we were as prepared as we could be, and drove out to meet our host family. They were a multi cultural and multi generational family and introduced us to their land, the river and the best place for our tipis to be raised, one for the women and one for the men. We would cook our own food, wash our dishes, clothing and ourselves in the river. Charlie, the father and husband gave us some warnings about animals and noises we might hear, but the sternest warning was not to go across the road and up into the woods. When pressed by us why, he told us that in every group, there was one person who didn’t listen and went up there and had to be rescued. He told us that there were spirits there and legends of a Bigfoot creature and it was best to just stay away. We all looked at each other wide eyed and promised we would not go up into the woods on that side of the road. And we didn’t!
After raising the tipis, which was challenging and exciting, we cooked some food, washed the dishes in the river, divided up chores and sat around a fire. I have no recollection of where and how we went to the bathroom, but I know we didn’t have porta potties or use the host family’s home. I think we found our own spot, dug a hole and went outside. I think I blocked that part out!
It was wonderful to lie down in our sleeping bags, under the beauty of the tipi and snuggle up to a sound sleep and excitement about the first full day of our adventure. We knew we would learn much, but I don’t think any of us could have known the extent to which we would expand our minds, hearts and spirits in the days to come. Tomorrow the journey continues with Part 2.
(A few edits were made after checking the information in my journal.Thank goodness for journals!)
Picture by K Blackwell
14 Days to go!
