Trip to Pine Ridge

Friday and Saturday

It is day one of our journey to Pine Ridge. We all made it to Oacoma, SD to the Days Inn and had a delicious supper at the Derby Restaurant in Chamberlain. These are traditions for our trip so we feel as if all is well. Tomorrow we will travel the rest of the way to Re-Member on the reservation. A number of us stayed in Rochester, MN last night so we wouldn't have so far to travel in one day. Weather was good for traveling so we have no complaints there either.

Sunday

Sunday dawned beautifully with plenty of sunshine. After a delicious breakfast at Days Inn we were on our way to Re-Member in Pine Ridge. We stopped in Wanblee, SD to check out the Crazy Horse school there. The playground there is a possible future project. We could see some needs right off the bat. Our next stop was in Kyle for lunch and to scope out the motel/resort there. Some of our group will be staying there this year and we may stay there in future years if we do decide to do the project in Wanblee. We stopped at Our Lady of Lourdes to drop off food for the week and check in with Sister Susan.

We made it to Re-Member without incident. There was a community supper here in the evening. That is where the community is invited to come and display their craft items to sell, share in a meal, and this year there was a drumming and dancing time so some were in the traditional dress for that. The dancing included a Friendship Circle dance at the end where everyone is invited to participate. It was very nice.

We took some time in the evening for devotions and to discuss our plans for the next day. Jerome and Teresa came in and spoke to us of the needs in Wanblee. They went to school there when they were young so it is close to their hearts. They were able to give us more insight as to whom we should talk to about it and said they would be willing to go with us to discuss possibilities. Tom, from Re-Member also came and talked to us and said he would support our meeting in Wanblee for discussion too. Our hope is to be able to formulate some kind of direction for future years. We are not sure if we will be able to help Wanblee or not but are hopeful for the chance to dialog with folks to see if there are possibilities. God has guided so far and we trust that we will continue to be guided in the right direction.

PICTURES (not recommended for dial-up connection)

Monday