Contact us at: whispernthunder1@gmail.comStrength, Hope, and Resilience
~ Mary Burrows
I cannot even recall how I connected with Whisper n Thunder, except that I responded
to an on-line message...probably an e-mail...about a new e-zine that would address
Native American issues, past and present.
Answering the call from Whisper n Thunder,
I resolved to write only positive stories about Lakota country because there was enough bad news about Pine Ridge Reservation (now Oglala Lakota Nation), and that needed to change.
I traveled through Pine Ridge village when I was a child, and my mother spent her summers in Hidden Timber, South Dakota, on the Rosebud Reservation, but the first time I became aware of conditions on Pine Ridge was on a road trip from Yankton to Hot Springs in the 1990s. I was shocked, saddened, and appalled at what I saw.
Over the years, my articles have included stories about the Pine Ridge Reconciliation Center, the BEAR reading program, Lakota representatives in the South Dakota legislature, the South Dakota Native Homeowners Coalition, and profiles of Lakota individuals.
Now, Whisper n Thunder has put out the call for stories of hope, strength, and resilience in these current times. Thunder Valley CDC is a prime example of all those attributes.
Thunder Valley began in 1998 as a group of young Lakota people sought to reclaim their culture and language. Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation incorporated as a non-profit in 2007. The CDC's first director, Nick Tilsen, and people from all over the nation came together with a common goal of building on Thunder Valley's mission:
“Empowering Lakota youth and families to improve the health, culture and environment of our communities through the healing and strengthening of cultural identity.”
I learned first about Thunder Valley when President Barack Obama announced a $996,100 grant from HUD Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities in 2012. The grant funded the Oyate Omniciye (Oglala Lakota Plan), a regional plan for sustainable development adopted by the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council on October 30, 2012. At the time, he commented, “Day by day, family by family, community by community, Nick [Tilsen] and his non-profit have helped inspire a new beginning for Pine Ridge. In fact, just a few months ago, young and old came together to adopt a long-term plan that commits to bringing back jobs and development; bringing back native languages and customs; bringing back the spiritual strength that for so long has defined the Lakota people.”
Obama also noted “...that makes me hopeful, talking to young people like that, because throughout Indian Country, you’ve got a generation ready to build on what generations before them have built. They’re out there right now, stirring with hope, and restless for change, and ready to take ownership of their future.”
And, in Thunder Valley, they have, indeed, taken ownership!
After the news of the grant award, I went to Thunder Valley and interviewed Nick Tilsen. There was an attending staff of two or three. The administration building was done, and the ceremonial building, and construction of four proto-type dwellings was underway.
Now there is a village of homes, a community garden, a huge flock of chickens, a subterranean greenhouse, and so much more. Near the Badlands, the Tribe also maintains a herd of Bison.
But that is just the surface of what has occurred since 2012.
From their web site: Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation is a holistic organization that works for the liberation of the Lakota people. We do our work through five interconnected initiative areas that are rooted in our lifeways and wellness equity work. Together, this whole community approach aims to serve the Lakota community as well as serve as an example for Indigenous communities throughout Turtle Island.
Thunder Valley now supports a large team of workers that ensures the five initiative areas collaborate to achieve the goals of the CDC.
Lakota Language & Education:
Utilizing the Montessori method, a curriculum is developed by elders, fluent speakers, and the community for kindergarten through sixth grades. Students experience an immersion program rooted in Lakota language and lifeways that reflects ancestral beliefs as they relate to ancestral language. Families, staff, and communities increase their knowledge of language through a reclamation program. The teachings of the elders and fluent speakers preserve history and knowledge of the ancient language.
Regenerative Communities:
Creating living situations that focus on a healing relatonship with Earth, one major focus is on renewable energy. The team leads workshops, plans projects, and oversees construction for Thunder Valley properties. Classes on landscaping, community planning, and environmental sustainability, among others, are offered.
Youth Leadership:
Mentoring Lakota youth so they become familiar with ceremonial sacred sites and ways of being motivates this team. A Summer Youth Leadership Academy provides access to jobs skills in communication, food sovereignty, and art, among others. Revival of Boy and Girl societies helps young people strengthen their identities and prepares them for life challenges and traditional Lakota ceremonies.
Land Systems:
Lakota Land Systems LLC is dedicated to preserving and enhancing traditional food ways. It illustrates how regenerative agriculture promotes sustainable land management and fosters Lakota ecology and cultural integrity.
Lakota Advocacy Center:
As the collective voice of the people, the Advocacy Center focuses on three objectives: plant sovereignty, climate change, and women's health and safety.
The team cultivates knowledge of plant relatives by working with elders and others. The goal is to reclaim and relearn Lakota roles as stewards of the land. Their mission is restoration of the land to improve biodiversity and soil water-retention, thereby lessening the effects of climate change.
“Thunder Valley is a leader in the growing Women’s Equity Movement, which formed spontaneously from the network we developed to take essential supplies to our remote-living relatives while cleaning and food supplies were hard to come by in the first days of the pandemic. As we did that work for our relatives, the network realized that there was another epidemic confronting our community: Violence against women. We have hosted events all around Oglala Makoche (Oglala territory) to bring together leaders, build community, and share resources as we work together to end violence against girls and women. “
At the time of the grant award, Nick Tilsen offered this:
“My hope is this unique opportunity will shine light on our struggle and that it will inspire others to donate, invest, partner, and help us increase our financial and human capital to build more homes, create jobs and bring new opportunities to our people and communities here on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. We want to build healthy, prosperous, and sustainable communities that spur creativity, inspiration and hope. We need continued support to make this happen and welcome others into our nation who wish to be partners for change. We will be better, together.”
Tilsen has gone on to other endeavors, while Thunder Valley continues to grow and thrive on the high prairie of the Oglala Lakota Nation.
https://thundervalley.org/
https://www.lakotatimes.com/articles/new-beginnings-on-pine-ridge-president-obama-highlights-oglala-lakota-efforts/