The death of a Lakota teenager is leading to bridge-building among youth from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in South Dakota and students from Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Lakota Rose Madison, 17, was battling substance abuse at the time of her death in June 2001. A visit to the University of Dayton in Ohio had inspired her to find ways to combat problems facing youth on the reservation.

Now her friends and others are committed to carrying out that vision by pledging to remain sober. They are also planning a peace house in her honor in Dubois, Pennsylvania, and a safe house on the reservation.

Madison was drowned to death by her cousin after a night of drinking. Her cousin pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is serving a nine-year sentence.

Get the Story:
VISION INSPIRES YOUTHS (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 3/24)

Relevant Links:
Lakota Rose Initiative, White Bison - http://www.whitebison.org/magazine/
2004/winter_spring/vol5no5.html

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Lakota teenager's death inspires sobriety drive (5/24)