Pine Ridge
LOG - Day 4
The computer team didn't have any students again this morning. I cannot say that it was an unproductive day though. Karen White Butterfly came in and talked with us. Occasionally she had to answer the phones but came back in each time. She spent the entire morning sharing her thoughts and experiences of life on the reservation and the Lakota tribe. It was very enlightening and we enjoyed it immensely. If I wrote all that we learned on this page it would more than fill it. We will have to share the information with you when we return. I will mention a few of her observations. One is that her generation is the last to speak the Lakota language regularly. There is movement now to re-introduce the language in the schools and to those interested in preserving it, so it is not lost forever. She also feels that once families began to live in multi room housing that the sense of connectedness and closeness was lost. When the entire family lives in one room each member is aware of the goings on of the rest. Once you use multiple rooms, each goes off to their own room and communication is lost. Many of the things she shared with us, we could relate to in our own lives as well. Lifestyles have changed throughout the years. Some for the better and some for the worse. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference.
The playground team had a productive day despite the rain and cold weather today. They got the tree house finished as far as they could go without the missing parts. They should be able to finish it in the morning provided the parts come in. They need to pour some concrete footings and the weather did not permit that today either. The stripes need to be painted on one of the horses but again, because of the rain today it will need to be done tomorrow. Bud and Neal delivered the two computers, we brought with us, to Sister Susan at the end of the work day. The work team was just leaving as we drove up.
The medical team had a nice steady pace today. Even lunch seemed better today. They were able to take a little time after work today to go to the playground and see the progress there.
The teaching team had their last day at school today. They have enjoyed working with the children and the teachers in the four days that they spent with them. The children are very loving and seemed to warm to them and appreciate their presence. Many of the children wished our group could stay longer and are looking forward to our coming back again next year (although that sounds like a long time to wait to see us again). The Parent House is near completion. Kathy went back this afternoon and did some more work organizing things. Neal and Bud went and set up two more computers in the house. They have a supply of them as they have the old ones from the school stored in the basement there. It was a wish to have multiple computers set up for the parent group. They are very pleased to have that materialize. The school has promised to supply them with an Internet connection. There are books that will need to be put on shelves yet but that can be done by one of the women we worked with.
You will be happy to hear that Judy was able to do laundry today so Bob will have clean underwear for tomorrow. He was happy about that and so are we. Ha! The computer team decided not to hold hours Friday at the college, instead we will be making the trip to the Black Hills. Others plan to go on excursions as well, the playground team after the concrete is poured and the parts come in.
PICTURES
