Youth Rise Through Wolakota
LAKOTA
Youth Development
~ Since 1992 ~
Our grassroots Native non-profit has served the people of the tribal nations in South Dakota.
Our Camps
Nacan Iyecel Opi'iciyapi
Wolakota, the Lakota way of life.
In a safe non-judgmental, nurturing environment, activities include instruction and awareness activities in Lakota spirituality, prayer and home dwelling construction, traditional gathering and food preparation, and traditional Lakota ceremonies, arts, dance, song, language integration, games, storytelling and sports.
Emphasis is placed on healthy traditional foods and active outdoor exercise through modern sports as well as traditional games.
2021 Camp Schedule
Chaperone training- May 14 - 16, 2021
Spring Harvest Camp- June 7- 10, 2021
Isnati (Coming of Age Ceremony)- June 21 - 24, 2021
Leadership Camp- July 12 - 15, 2021
History Camp with Joseph Marshall III- July 19 - 22, 2021
Bow & Arrow Camp- July 26 - 29,2021
Summer Harvest Camp- Aug. 9 - 12, 2021
Horse Camp- TBA
Theater Camp with Cornerstone Theater Company- Aug. 16 - 19, 2021
Hunt Certification- Sept. 10 - 12, 2021
Hunt Weekend- Oct. 8 - 10, 2021
Chaperone Training
Young adults ages 18-25 earn with certifications in Nonviolent crisis intervention, QPR suicide prevention, love and logic discipline, CPR/AED and first aide, and Lakota cultural competency.
Isnati Awica Lowanpi
"First Moon" Ceremonial Camp for Girls
This coming of age ceremony is conducted by the mother, grandmothers, and elderly grandmothers of the community.The girls are taught the roles and responsibilities of a Lakota woman and how they are to take on those roles and carry these teaching throughout their life.
Leadership Camp
Activities focus on the 4 core principles of traditional Lakota Leadership and equine life skills certification.
Lakota Bow and Arrow Camp
Summer Harvest Camp
Youth harvest edible and medicinal plants and learn how to prepare them. They also learn healthy eating through a decolonized diet.
-
Hunt Safe Certification
Youth receive state required "Hunt Safe" certification traiing, traditional Lakota hunting, processing and storage. This camp is a prerequisite for fall hunt camp
-
Fall Hunt Weekend
Youth implement skills learned in certification camp. 2.5 day camp
Capacity for each camp will be determined by the updated CDC guidelines. If we have already filled our capacity, youth can be added to wait list.
All youth 16 years and older must provide proof of full vaccination.