Young members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe participated in the Lakota Wicoun Wicoti (A Way of Life) camp on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Photo from Horse Spirit Society / Facebook
OST Reaches Out To Young Leaders
By Brandon Ecoffey
Lakota Country Times Editor
www.lakotacountrytimes.com PINE RIDGE -- The Oglala Sioux Tribe hopes that the creation of a youth council in each district will inspire its young leaders to take part in the governmental process. With the help of a new Administration for Native Americans grant the Oglala Sioux Tribe will look to build a bridge between the youth and tribal government. The Empowering Our Youth Program will establish youth councils in each of the nine districts on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The nine districts that make up the reservation serve a function similar to what states do. Each district is allocated either 2 or 3 seats on the tribal council. Within each district however residents have the option to elect their own district government that has the authority to pass laws and civil ordinances on its own. “The goals of this project is to empower youth ages 8-24 years of age to have input in making positive changes in their communities, be proud of their heritage and culture and inspire them to be positive members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe,” said Oglala Sioux Tribal Health Administrator Delores Pourier. To reach this goal, project coordinators will work with local youth to help establish the councils that will serve a number of different purposes in the community according to Pourier. By the end of the 24-months youth councils will be fully operational for youth driven activities. These activities will provide the youth with a safe and healthy environment where they will not only take part in programming but also get a better understanding of tribal government. The grant itself required project coordinators to establish youth councils in Eagle Nest, Pine Ridge, and Wounded Knee prior to reaching out to other districts. Once the councils are up and running they will also have the ability to supply its own “Right now we are establishing councils in Eagle Nest and Pine Ridge. In Eagle Nest they are currently looking for advisors to work with them,” said Pourier.
Visit the Lakota Country Times and subscribe today
Part of the programs goals are to create links between tribal lawmakers and youth who want to be part of the political process. “We have talked about ways of connecting the youth councils with the tribal council,” said Pourier. “We have thought about having tribal council members serve as advisors for the youth. We have also discussed the possibility of allowing youth council members to attend meeting with their district representatives where they could at least give their opinion on issues.” To be a part of the program those interested must be between the ages of 8-24 and must fill out an application. The applications themselves are not intended to deter those interested and are mainly used for reporting purposes according to OST Health Administration. For more information please contact OST Health Administration at (605) 867-1704. (Contact Brandon Ecoffey at editor@lakotacountrytimes.com) Find the award-winning Lakota Country Times on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter and download the new Lakota Country Times app today.
Join the Conversation
