The following story was written and reported by Karin Eagle, Native Sun News Staff Writer. All content © Native Sun News.

PINE RIDGE, SOUTH DAKOTA –– The memory of young scholar and athlete lives on not only in the memory of her family and community, but through the lives of hundreds of her fellow tribal members.

The legacy of SuAnne Big Crow is being celebrated throughout Indian country once again, as the community where she was born and raised gathered to commemorate the establishment of the SuAnne Big Crow Boys and Girls Club, twenty years ago.

Big Crow was a high school senior, poised to graduate at the top of her class, when she was taken from her people due to a car accident that left her mother with slight injuries. Big Crow was well known through Indian country for her basketball skills, competitive spirit, and good example of sportsmanship.

SuAnne strived toward excellence in all aspects of her life. As a student SuAnne finished first in her class academically. SuAnne was an outstanding athlete, especially in basketball.

A few of her honors include All-State for three years, honorable mention in USA Today for All-American players, and Class A Championship. The former USSR awarded her with a trophy for her stellar play as a member of a National Indian Team.

SuAnne successfully broke several South Dakota state records including most points in a game (67 points) and post points in a season.

To her classmates and many friends, Big Crow is remembered for her tireless vision of a better community than the one she grew up in. She often spoke of a community where people got along and nobody was made to feel bad because of their differences.

Big Crow’s mother, Leatrice “Chick” Big Crow, remembers her daughter’s wish for a place called “Happy Town”, where Big Crow’s vision of that community existed. Free of judgment and racism, SuAnne’s Happy Town was more than just a vision or wish; it was a way of life to strive for.

Following Big Crow’s untimely passing, her mother stepped forward into a role she was previously unaccustomed to; Community leader.

Through the efforts of Chick Big Crow, the first ever Boys and Girls Club of America, BGCA, on reservation lands was established in Pine Ridge Village.

“When President Clinton came to the reservation in 1999, as he was leaving, getting on his helicopter, he stopped and said ‘Build something for the children of the Pine Ridge Reservation’, and that’s how we got these facilities.” Explained Chick Big Crow.

With the assistance of Robbie Callaway, who came to the reservation to meet with tribal leaders about the possibility of the a BGCA developing on the reservation, the current facility, located less than a mile to the east of Pine Ridge Village, was built.

“I told Chick, the swimming pool can be written into the blueprints, but we don’t have the funding to build it right now.” Said Callaway. “She told me, as I was getting ready to go talk to funders in Washington, ‘SuAnne will do it!’”

The absolute faith in her daughter’s intervention in all aspects of the Boys and Girls Club keeps Chick Big Crow motivated and encouraged at all times.

“When I feel over whelmed, or that things just aren’t working out, I come into the Incentive room, filled with the photos and memories of SuAnne, and I just talk to her,” said Chick Big Crow. “She always helps me, and things always work out the way they are supposed to.”

During the twentieth anniversary of Boys and Girls Club, it was recognized that the SuAnne Center was the first of over two hundred established BGCA in Indian country.

John Miller and Lorraine Orr of the national BGCA were on hand to help celebrate the milestone. Callaway was present as the representative of one of the partners of the BGCA, The Cal Ripken Foundation. During a speech, Calloway presented Chick Big Crow with a Cal Ripken jersey as a gift.

The gift giving spirit continued when after a poignant recollection of the passion SuAnne held for her people, journalist Tim Giago was presented with a gift from the Big Crow family and the SuAnne Center.

Giago recalls how he was contacted by a young SuAnne Big Crow, when NBC Nightly News aired a special titled “Tragedy at Pine Ridge”. Big Crow voiced her disgust at the way her tribe and her people were being portrayed by mainstream media. Giago remembers telling Big Crow to write about it; and so she did.

Giago wrote about this in a column dated October, 2011: “One young Lakota lady basketball star named SuAnne Big Crow took exception to the telecast and attacked it as a show that dwelled on sensationalism to distort what Pine Ridge was all about. She then went on to talk about all of the good things they forgot to televise.”

The commemoration was attended by hundreds of community members as well as guest from all over the country. From infant to elder, the community gathered at the SuAnne Center, which had previously been housed in an old plastics warehouse in Pine Ridge Village.

The much celebrated “Bears”, a youth driven performance group, were present to perform and entertain the audience. The message that the Bears offer is one of unity and acceptance, which is in step with the ultimate message of the SuAnne Big Crow BGCA.

Chick Big Crow explains of only one area of operation that has ever raised concern in the community; the membership fee.

“People in the community sometimes say something negative about the fact that we have the annual membership fee, which is fifteen dollars.” explained Chick Big Crow. “But I think that fee, which really isn’t that much gives the parents and families and opportunity to invest in their child’s lives and future.”

Callaway echoed this sentiment, saying “When these kids are out here, they pay the membership fee and they actually take ownership of their club.”

“It’s not just a place set up for them; it’s actually their place, they own it, and they always take great pride in ‘Their’ club.”

Happy Town, the dream of a young Lakota woman, exists within the walls of the SuAnne Big Crow Boys and Girls Club. The restaurant with its 50’s soda shop theme décor, celebrates the memory of SuAnne Big Crow.

The website for the SuAnne Big Crow Boys & Girls Club is www.suannebigcrow.org.

(Contact Karin Eagle at staffwriter2@nsweekly.com)

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