Around the rez

Summer 2011 Red Cloud Country

Contemporary Native Arts Week

The Heritage Center celebrated Contemporary Native Arts Week with a series of events in Rapid City, featuring the eight Native emerging artists exhibited in the “Making New Traditions” show on display at the Dahl Arts Center. The weeklong celebration included film screenings, a panel discussion, an artist reception and a live paint and wet auction. The exhibit got its start last fall at The Heritage Center, and was curated by Red Cloud staff members Mary Bordeaux and Peter Strong along with Mary Maxon at The Dahl.

And the award goes to…

Students brought home six of eight awards from the 33rd Annual Pine Ridge Reservation Student Recognition Banquet in May. Nominated by their teachers, administrators and other local community members, 58 students representing 13 elementary schools and three high schools gathered for the annual event, which recognized eighth graders and seniors in high school for their leadership and excellence in school. Students were awarded plaques for their accomplishments in academics, athletics and extracurricular activities.

“I cannot stress how proud I am of all of Red Cloud’s nominees,” says Robin Johnson, dean of students. “They have all represented Red Cloud and Our Lady of Lourdes well with their many accomplishments, and I wish them the best of luck as they continue their studies.”

It’s a bird, it’s a plane…no, it’s a Lakota helicopter!

The South Dakota National Guard Aviation Committee turned the grassy field outside Holy Rosary Church on Red Cloud Indian School’s Pine Ridge campus into a landing pad for a new UH-72 Lakota helicopter this spring. Representatives flew to Red Cloud to congratulate fourth grader Garrett Clifford ’19 for winning a statewide poster design contest to celebrate the new UH-72 helicopter. Garrett’s poster depicted the helicopter with the Lakota phrase Atunwan na Agli, which translates as “Coming to Assist.”

“This contest was to celebrate the coming of the new UH-72 Lakota helicopter to South Dakota,” Captain Michael McDaniels said in front of students, teachers and staff. “The time and detail that Garrett and other students across the state put into this contest was just amazing. His work depicts Lakota values alongside a Lakota helicopter, which is exactly what we were looking for.”

Kyle parishioners commissioned as lay ministers

Parishioners Gayla Adams and Sissy Loafer from Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Kyle were commissioned as lay ministers in April during Pastoral Ministry Days. Both women completed a four-year course that forms lay leaders for parish ministry. They lead wakes and funerals and Communion services in the absence of a priest. They also invite parishioners to join them in visiting the sick and homebound.