Red Cloud Students Gain Perspective from National Park Excursion
posted on March 21, 2014
In just four hours of hiking over the rocky buttes and hills of Badlands National Park, five Red Cloud Indian School students saw the results of 32 million years of geological evolution. Led by National Park Rangers, geologists and paleontologists, the hike was just one of many educational excursions included the Park’s annual Youth Camp.
During the four-day adventure, students from Red Cloud, Crazy Horse School and the Calhoun School in New York City learned about the vast and visible geological formations and stratifications, the area’s history, paleontology, land rights and law enforcement. They were also able to interact with the Park’s Superintendent during a Q&A about the long-awaited Tribal National Park—the first in the nation.
This is the second year Red Cloud students have participated in the camp, and they found the experience enlightening.
"Every time we got to the top of a peak the kids from New York would tell us how majestic the view was,” said Josh, a senior at Red Cloud. Josh told a Park Ranger how surprised he was by their reaction to the land that is so tightly bound with his heritage and his people—a familiar sight that reminds him of home. “I had never thought of it that because I see it all the time. It was new perspective.”
Hear the story on South Dakota Public Broadcasting (NPR)
Discussing the camp’s mission, Badlands Superintendent Eric Brunnemann shared, “By bringing these young people to the park today, we are not only growing the future leaders of what may become the first tribal national park, but also inspiring the next generation of scientists and leaders.”
Writen Content, ©Red Cloud Indian School, 2014
Photo Content, ©Jessica Bryant
