"I've turned in my resignation letter to the Missoulian and Lee Enterprises.

First, a review of a recent trip that prompted my decision to leave the newspaper business, which has provided me with inspiration, arguably more than 1,000 stories and columns, and a steady paycheck for the past 13 years.

Last week, I visited three South Dakota reservations - Lower Brule, Cheyenne River and Crow Creek - to talk with youths about the power of our voices, a power we enhance through reading and writing skills. The speaking-writing invitation came from the Changing Winds Advocacy Center, a nonprofit Native civil rights and education agency based in Fairfield, Conn.

Youths are some of the most inspiring people I've ever met. This includes 9-year-old Venetia St. Cloud, a member of the Lower Brule Boys and Girls Club. She wanted to take me up on my challenge: Write a story using as many Lakota words as possible.

When I was getting ready to leave the Boys and Girls Club, Venetia walked up to me, excited about the writing challenge. Still, she looked a bit sad.

“I don't know any Lakota words,” she said.

Before I left we were able to find words for her Lakota story."

Get the Story:
Jodi Rave: ‘Small voices' remind Rave of own goal (The Missoulian 4/30)

Also Today:
Jodi Rave Ending Newspaper Career (RezNet News 4/29)

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