At The Heritage Center, An Intern Explores Her Roots

A Reflection by Chaoya Yang

posted on February 13, 2014 

I arrived at Red Cloud Indian School in October, just before the school’s 125th Anniversary. I had never heard of the Pine Ridge Reservation before and had little knowledge of the Lakota people or culture prior to my arrival. Because this was my first time on a reservation, I came in as a blank canvas wanting to learn more.

As an intern with The Heritage Center—the cultural center, museum and gift shop on Red Cloud’s campus—I worked in its massive 10,000-piece collection of Lakota and other Native art. I wrote articles to support communications for the Center, and helped with educational programs including the young writers society Tȟéča Wówapi Káǧa Okȟólakičhiye (also known as ‘TWKO’). Finally, I worked on my own independent project. I felt fortunate to have such a diverse experience during which I was able to explore many different fields.

When I first came to The Heritage Center, I’d wanted to do an exhibition on the similarities between the Lakota and Hmong people—an indigenous group in Southeast Asia. Being a member the Hmong community myself, I knew both were nomadic tribes and believed in a shaman or medicine man, a medium to the spiritual world. I also understood that both communities have been challenged by poverty and access to education.  

After beginning to learn about the American Indian Movement (AIM) and its history on the reservation, I was very drawn to it. I continued to ask more questions and decided that I wanted to focus my exhibition project on similarities in Lakota and Hmong movements, resistances and rebellions. The challenge was to find a parallel in the Hmong community, so I sought help through my online networks and began to research. I got in touch with university professors who provided me with resources and helped me narrow down my focus. I finally settled on the Hmong Chao Fa resistance in Laos—an effort that I found to be very similar to the AIM.

As I focused my research on the issues surrounding the Hmong Chao Fa and AIM, I was able to broaden my understanding of the history of the Lakota people, the series of events that unfolded after their contact with European and American settlers, and the impact that contact had and continues to have on the reservation. Knowing that my people, the Hmong, had undergone similar struggles allowed me to empathize with them.

When I learned that Lakota culture, tradition and language continues to thrive today, I wanted to know more about its preservation and celebration. My community also faces similar challenges as our culture and identity continue to evolve, change and fade in the wake of modernization.

I had the opportunity to speak with staff from Red Cloud’s Lakota Language Program about their efforts to revitalize and use the Lakota language in the school and across the reservation. Between this and my experience in The Heritage Center’s collection, my eyes opened to how both historical and contemporary pieces of Lakota art contribute to the continuation of Lakota identity. Indigenous groups and their languages are intricately linked, and with many languages threatened by extinction, it was amazing to witness how much effort and passion is going into maintaining Lakota identity at Red Cloud.

My time working with TWKO—the young writers society—further solidified my understanding of the power that language and culture have on the individual and the community through stories, spoken word and poetry. With TWKO, I learned of the challenges that youth face on the reservation and the need for a safe, supportive environment to express themselves.

I am happy to say that TWKO is making an extraordinary effort to be inclusive and reaching out to as many youth as possible. I was fortunate to spend time with the young poets from across the reservation and to have seen each and every one of them grow and develop, even in the short time from the beginning to the end of my internship. And I look forward to seeing all the great things they have planned for the future.  

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Heritage Center and on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. I will miss the beautiful rolling plains, the breathtaking night sky, the wonderful people and even the weekly four-hour, round-trip drive to the grocery store.

Wóphila,

Chaoya Yang

 

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All Content, ©Red Cloud Indian School, 2014