A Public Forum was held at Little Wound School on Wednesday to present a new anti-bullying policy and program.
Suicide stirs school and community
By Christina Rose
Native Sun News Associate Editor KYLE — In response to the tragic death of student Toni Garnette, 16, a Public Forum was held on Wednesday at the Little Wound School in Kyle. According to Dr. Anthony Fairbanks, superintendent of Little Wound Schools, a new bullying policy was presented to the public and tribal officials for feedback and review. Fairbanks also introduced Ms. Dana Haukaas, a trainer for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, which will be implemented at Little Wound. Haukaas said the program is not a quick fix to stop bullying so much as a long-term program for social change. Describing the plan that was developed in Norway, Haukaas said the Olweus Program has been used extensively throughout the country. In South Dakota, it is being used in Sioux Falls, Winner, Todd County, Shannon County, and in Rapid City at North High School. According to Haukaas, “It can be tailored for the school and area, and culturally fits very well with Lakota life values. The components are there.” Of the Public Forum, Haukaas said, “I think everyone there truly had the best interest of the children at heart. It was powerful to see elders and students and administrators and parents.” Haukaas said that representatives from the Law Enforcement and Education Committee, Oglala Lakota College, students and community members attended the forum. “Jim Pourier said it's about healing the circle and joining it together,” Haukaas said. “To hear the students talk was also very impactful. Three girls were talking about doing awareness to protect and celebrate life and to move forward from the tragedy that occurred.” Oglala Sioux Tribal Council member Lydia Bearkiller said that a resolution has been put in place by The Law and Order and Education Committee that holds the schools accountable and addresses the crisis of the safety of the children in schools. Bearkiller said most schools on the Pine Ridge Reservation do not have an extensive bullying program and that for most schools there is no consequence, no plan, and no procedure. “The committee will be reviewing the policies of all the schools. And there will be no expulsions. The bullies need help, too,” she said. Some schools have already taken action. Bearkiller said American Horse School has a plan that includes a buddy system. Staff members are assigned two to three students and must make contact with them. “If a student is being bullied or threatened with getting beaten up, he already has a rapport with the staff. The staff has to then report on the situation,” she said. According to Amanda Takes War Bonnet, public education specialist of Native Women’s Society of the Great Plains, “Bullying escalates when there are no consequences for it, whether it is at home or at school. Without consequences it flourishes into domestic violence, sexual assault and crime. In our communities we have programs that offer hope and solutions to youth and their families.” Superintendent Fairbanks said, “The meeting was a good opportunity for dialogue and strengthening collaborations on how we can all work together in support of our youth.” Takes War Bonnet said she hope these efforts will give children their identity back through culture, healing and caring. “It is going to take a coordinated community response to end the violence, not only from schools, tribal leaders and programs but from families, from each individual. We need awareness and education.” The Native Women’s Society of the Great Plains is a coalition working to end domestic and sexual violence on the northern plains with 23 member organizations, which includes OST Victim’s Services. They can be reached through their website at nativewomenssocietyofthegreatplains.org. (Christina Rose can be contacted at christinarose.sd@gmail.com) Copyright permission by Native Sun News
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