We’d like to say another massive thank you to all of our donors and supporters! We are grateful for your support. As we come to the end of the second week of our campaign, we have already reached 88% of our fundraising goal of $5,000. Gifts have ranged from $5 to $500, and each one has been significant in helping to make the 2024 Lakota Perspectives Program happen. 

Can you share this link with one or two other people and help us hit our fundraising goal?

https://engage.pitt.edu/lakota2024

As Pitt’s semester finishes, the students who will be participating in this summer’s program have been engaging in pre-departure orientation sessions, which included logistics and planning, bonding activities, and open discussions about Lakota culture and students’ roles in service this summer. They had the opportunity to hear from Amizade Program Manager Nick Grimes about what to expect on the program, as well as meet and converse with Pine Ridge community leader Milton Bianas via Zoom. After completing related readings, students also participated in discussions on topics such as ethical service learning, privilege, compassion fatigue, voluntourism, and decentering themselves from the project focus. This year’s participants have already demonstrated an immense interest and passion in the Lakota Perspectives Program and its material, and are excited for their trip and this summer’s activities! Over the next several weeks, the students will read the acclaimed memoir Lakota Woman by Mary Crow Dog, complete a written reflection on the book, and convene in a virtual pre-departure meeting.

Thank you again for supporting these students and this work.

Thank you for helping us reach early success for the Lakota Perspectives Program! We’re already 81% of the way towards our goal of $5,000. We appreciate your support immensely and we will continue to send updates throughout the course of this fundraiser. 

Thank you, 

Lakota Perspectives Team