This week, two students who participated in the 2024 Lakota Perspectives program are presenting the following poster that describes the project and their experiences. Their work is inspiring me to follow up with a final thank you for supporting the program through your financial contributions!!

I’m delighted not only by the activities their poster highlights – the construction work and renovations, the “back to culture” youth camp – and what they learned about Lakota culture and indigenous rights, but also the ways in which they’ve been able to articulate their learning related to historical injustices, racism, privilege, and systems of oppression.

We’re already working on next summer’s project. We recently hosted an information session and a panel, and we’re actively reaching out to instructors and presenting to classes about the program. I’m eager to meet and work with the next group of student participants. Please spread the word about Lakota Perspectives 2025 with prospective students by sharing this link.

Thanks again. 

Mark Kramer

Faculty lead for Lakota Perspectives

mnk7@pitt.edu

I’ve been delighted by the generosity that so many people have shown in supporting this year’s Lakota Perspectives program! Thank you for giving. I’m glad to report that we met our fundraising goal. 

And because we met that goal: local leaders on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota are, this week, ordering materials, preparing the worksite and grounds where students will help renovate a cook house, and planning the summer cultural camp for local youth and elders. Funding you provided is empowering these leaders to purchase construction supplies, rent a van, and prepare extra food, as well as partner with individuals who’ll teach our students and other participants about traditional hand games, beading, teepee making, foraging techniques, and other activities. These tribal members will also share about their personal experiences, including the deep loss and challenges they and their families have faced as a result of government policies, broken treaties, forced displacement, and violence. Like last year, I anticipate these conversations to be humbling and challenging for the students and me.

As I prepare to head out to the reservation this weekend, I find myself thinking about the Pitt students who participated in last year’s class. We’re still in regular contact, and in fact we had brunch together in my home a few weeks ago. Each of them have expressed the many ways in which their experience on Pine Ridge educated and changed them. One is now a community organizer. Another is exploring environmental law and ways they can apply what they learned last year toward environmental justice efforts. And all of last year’s students have grown in their commitment to working for a greater good. I’m grateful that the Lakota Perspectives program has played at least some part in nurturing this growth.

I’m confident that this year’s group of students, while completing the work I’ve outlined above, are going to experience similar kinds of learning and growth. I look forward to watching these two weeks unfold in rich and unique ways for each of them.

So, thanks again.

~ Mark

Faculty lead, Lakota Perspectives 2024

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