There are doubts and conversations that play out often in the heads of those who suffer from psychological and emotional wounds. “Maybe I’m exaggerating. Why do I have to be so dramatic about what hap...
The Native Hope team has been very busy during the month of August, attending events in lots of communities in order to inspire hope for Natives, to represent Native traditions and art, and to teach N...
Have you ever been so wrapped up in a story that you forgot about your worries and escaped from your troubles? Have you ever been hungry to find out what happens next in a story about make-believe peo...
On a beautiful sunny, Sunday afternoon, along the shores of the Missouri River and the rolling hills of the plains, “Dignity” stands, casting her peaceful gaze across the waters, overlooking Interstat...
Our team has been busy the past few months attending various events out in the field to inspire hope for Natives and teach the youth the importance of values and education. Continue reading to see wha...
Here at Native Hope, we are committed to creating a space where the Native story can be experienced, where Native voices are heard, and where Natives can inspire other Natives to move toward hope and ...
At Native Hope, we work every day to empower and strengthen Native American youth. We know how many challenges they face—from abuse, addiction, and hunger to trauma and a lack of job opportunities in ...
“I knew growing up that at some point I was supposed to be the things I learned in the stories: compassionate, honorable, and brave, and so forth. I knew this because the storytellers lived the lesson...
Here at Native Hope, we celebrate the many strong and powerful Native American fathers and father figures who are shaping the lives of our young people today. Through their lives and sacrifices, they ...
Haley Laughter, the founder and CEO of Hozho Total Wellness, is on a mission to help Indigenous people heal through the conscious physical movements of yoga. Haley grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah and...
“Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.” - Sitting Bull Native Hope prides itself in working to empower Native Americans in a multitude of ways, and this spring,...
Strength, courage, and resilience have always been a part of who we are as Native peoples. But many, many years ago, the Native way of life was disrupted and destroyed by European settlers. Native Ame...
In March of this year, Native Hope Fellow, Yvonne “Tiny” DeCory, an activist and suicide prevention specialist, spoke on a panel at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. about the lack of m...
The Legend of the White Buffalo Woman One summer a long time ago, the seven sacred council fires of the Lakota Sioux came together and camped. The sun was strong, and the people were starving, for the...
All throughout my childhood, my mom always reminded me that each person is made up of four components: physical, which is your physical body; emotional, your emotional state along with your feelings; ...
Total wellness. The healing and strengthening of mind, body, and spirit through an active and encouraging community. This is the goal of the Healthy Active Natives [HANs] movement. This group has crea...
“Native American Youth Suicide Rates Are at Crisis Levels”—Huffington Post “Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Struggles with Suicides Among Its Young” —New York Times “Spate of Youth Suicides Shake Pine R...
It is still dark when Waylon rises. As the first rays of sunlight peer over the hills, he ties his shoes, adjusts his headphones, steps out into the dusky morning. He runs mile after mile, reflecting ...
March is Women’s History Month, and we are excited to highlight and tell the stories of many strong, inspiring Native American women, both past and present, who have made an impact in the world around...
Our Native American culture is a living, breathing entity. It is a tapestry of tradition and values passed on from generation to generation. Today, many of us are aware of the challenges facing Indian...
On January 29 and 30, Native Hope Leaders’ Society and Blue Voice Drum Group from Marty Indian School traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to perform at the first ever “Drum Down, Sun Down” event durin...
On Tuesday and Wednesday, February 20 and 21, Native Hope was given the opportunity to speak at a Rotarian Event and at the ImpactHub in Boston, MA, respectively. Launching her fellowship program, Nik...
Imagine growing up in an environment where it is only a matter of time before you experience some sort of sexual assault or violence. For most of us, that would seem absolutely unthinkable. Yet for Na...
To know Jatonne is to love Jatonne. "Growing up, I always thought there was a certain way people thought I should look…a certain way people thought I should be," he explains. Music has always been his...
The Lakota word “OKOLAKICIYE” [oh – koh – lah – kee – chee – yea] translates to “Fellowship”—something Native Americans hold dear. They built their communities on the idea of “mutual support” and frie...
Recently, Native Hope was recognized by the South Dakota Hall of Fame for it's excellence in addressing the trials and struggles many young Native Americans are facing today. Terry Woster, retired jou...
Our nation is a melting pot of ethnicity, culture, and belief systems from around the globe. We encourage each other’s differences and seek to embrace uniqueness and expressions of individuality. Howe...
For 28 days it burned. Swallowing cords of word, the flame became a member of the tribe, a confidant to prayers, and promise of renewal. It was fed by stories of hurt and despair. Day after day, the f...
Native Hope is taking a group of Native American students on an unbelievable opportunity. They have been invited to perform at the Super Bowl LIVE Fan Festival in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during the we...
Each of us has a unique story to tell. Our journeys are colored with varying experiences and upbringings, often shaped and molded by some aspect of our different cultures. For some of us, we have very...
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, created to raise awareness of sex slavery and human trafficking worldwide. This is a critical problem that all of us at Native Hope are passionate about a...
“I’m doing something. You can do something. Be a light for everyone else around you,” encourages Alexus Little, a member of the Cherokee nation who lives on the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe reservation in ...
At Native Hope we are on a journey to offer tangible hope to our Native American communities. We want to equip Native people with the tools and resources they need to overcome the struggles and obstac...
The rate of meth use among Native Americans is the highest of any ethnicity in the country and more than twice as high as any other group, according to the National Congress of American Indians. This ...
Imagine your belief system, identity, and family all being stripped away from you. Imagine an entire culture being traumatized and the effects of that trauma being carried over from generation to gene...
Culture equals identity. When a culture disappears, so does a people. Many of us fail to realize what that would mean for us, for our families. Think of the family recipes, the customary songs and da...
Native Hope realizes the power of unity and collaboration in making an impact in the lives of our Native American youth. That is why we are joining forces with the 2017 #GivingTuesday movement for the...
November is Native American Heritage Month. This month was established to honor and recognize Native Americans as the first people of this nation and to celebrate both their cultural heritage and inte...
Many of us are aware of the serious challenges facing Native Americans today. However, do we really understand just how critical the situation is? This is a part of America’s story that is not often t...
America’s untold story of the Native American culture is vast. It begins long before Columbus discovered a “new land.” In fact, it is believed that some 10-15 million Native people inhabited the conti...
There is power in unity. We can only accomplish so much on our own, but together we can create a movement that brings tangible change and creates a future of hope. We invite you to join us in breaking...
Throughout history, countless individuals have found the strength to rise up in the storm and add their voice of hope. Hope. It’s such a simple word, yet it holds the key to so much power and redempti...
Native Hope is a non-profit organization based in South Dakota, a state that is home to nine Native American reservations with some of the highest poverty rates in the nation. It is our mission and ou...
We are passionate about our work to equip Native American youth with the tools and resources they need to reach their potential and pursue their dreams. We believe in the power of community and in joi...
We are on a mission to inspire hope in Native American youth and give them a voice to be heard. There is a generation of Indigenous youth rising up and taking a stand against the negative stereotypes ...
The winds of South Dakota rustle over a vast and colorful landscape housing an abundant variety of wildlife. With so much land untouched, it has become a hunting mecca, attracting over 100,000 hunters...
Looking out over the prairie and into the hills, taking in the beauty of mother earth Family working together, a warrior hunting for food and a new mother giving birth Family circles sitting together ...
We strive to make a tangible impact in the lives of Native American youth by inspiring and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. This fall we visited several schools and spoke with students about o...
“I am gonna do this...I’m gonna fix this...I am gonna do something. It’s gonna be huge, and you guys are going to fight me on this...but I am crazy about you [Lakotas]. I can’t stop,” declares Jacob H...
“When I was younger, I believed the world was against me; it never offered me anything meaningful—it often showed me cruelty, which gave me a negative outlook,” shares Dennis Metcalf, artist from the ...
Alone, Dennis sits in his backyard where the uncut grass taps his jeans. The sun shines on his black, rough hair. “Bang!” A gunshot rings out from down the street and “Bang!”—another. Dennis sits unda...
One thing is for sure, Stephan Cheney, Lakota and member of the Kul Wicása Oyáte in South Dakota, shares his zest for life with just about everyone he meets. Currently, Stephan is living and working i...
There’s a cry for social justice stirring in the hearts of a generation, yet it’s a cry that is only just starting to be heard: the alarming crisis among Native American youth in the United States. Sa...
A vast majority of Native American youth living on reservations today are overwhelmed with extreme daily challenges. These include high rates of poverty, addiction, abuse, and suicide. Our young peopl...
Suicidal thoughts can stem from several sources. Depression is a significant source, but substance abuse, physical abuse, divorce, and high amounts of stress can contribute to thoughts of self harm. W...
At Native Hope we believe that partnerships are key. Collaborating and coming together to empower Native American youth is the way for the culture to thrive. Kansas Middletent, Native Hope Ambassador,...
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), in official relations with the World Health Organization has deemed Sunday, September 10, 2017, as World Suicide Prevention Day. Native Ame...
Imagine losing the ability to question, to state, to joke, to think. Language is the core of expression and offers a unique view of the world. It encompasses a history—the history of a people and thei...
American Indian musician, Darren Thompson, realizes that his passion for playing the Native American flute might seem simple to some, but for him it is all consuming. Originally from the Lac du Flambe...
One of Native Hope's partners explains how early intervention and educational opportunities can give Native Americans the tools to succeed not only in school, but also in life. Our partnership with Na...
Why focus on education? Because education changes lives. “I hope my kids get out and see that there is more than the reservation,” a young Lakota father says. “There is opportunity out there—more than...
Ready, set, go. Approximately sixty runners and walkers hit the streets of Chamberlain, SD for the Nyal Brings Three White Horses Memorial 5k run on August 11. The run commemorated the life of Nyal, w...
Native Hope's staff and a team of volunteers took to the streets of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to raise awareness of sex trafficking and the signs to look for. We are committed to fighting against t...
I thank God I have the opportunity to actually care, not just for Lower Brule but also for our entire nation. It’s time for our people to change our mindset and to break free from all the different ty...
All of us at Native Hope continue to be passionate about actively empowering the next generation of Native American youth to pursue their dreams. Our Leaders' Society members were busy this past month...
On July 5, the Native Hope Leaders’ Society (NHLS) set off for Denver, Colorado, to experience the UNITY Conference. Thanks in part to the generous donations from our donors, five students and three m...
Native Hope Leaders’ Society has been busy this summer at River City Friday Nights in Chamberlain, South Dakota. The group not only co-sponsored the entertainment by Native American artists Lance Spea...
“I had this dream...I am not sure when, but I dreamt all of the fencing around the Project SAFE Shelter [Domestic Violence Shelter in Fort Thompson, South Dakota] had fallen—that the wind had come up,...
Native Hope took some time out of their schedule to assist a partner with the upcoming opening of their shelter, the Pathfinder Center, a designated safe haven and place of refuge for trafficking vict...
Native Hope joins a young generation of Native Americans who are rising up and fighting for change. Together we took to the streets of Sturgis, SD, during the annual rally—determined to make a differe...
Human trafficking enjoys a taboo status in America—and as one trafficking survivor tells Native Hope—there’s no easy way out. She sits agitatedly, flipping her hair—up, down, around, then into a bun—t...
This August, we are returning to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for the second year in a row to raise awareness of a very serious issue happening at an alarming rate: sex trafficking. Our goal is simple...
South Dakota is most recognized for its open ranges, miles of lush farmland, and as the home of 1.2 million acres of the Black Hills National Forest. These same serene rolling hills and towering pines...
The Black Hills of South Dakota offer a stark contrast to the vast plains that surround them. A landscape of natural beauty that boasts serene rolling hills and towering pines, the Black Hills were or...
We are excited about the events we have had the privilege of being a part of this past month. We continue to reach out and actively participate and partner with organizations not only in our community...
In April, Stephan Cheney of the Kul Wicasa Oyate and Trisha Burke of Native Hope traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the Running Strong for Native American Youth Dreamstarter Academy. They learned...
Her smile and positive attitude are infectious. Jackie Bird, a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Tribe of South Dakota and the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota, grew up entertaining. As a six-yea...
Fatherhood is a blessing that comes with a great amount of responsibility and dedication. A father is entrusted with caring for his children, teaching them valuable life lessons, and setting an honora...
We are excited to introduce our Leaders' Society, a group of young Native Americans who are inspired to have unique conversations and make an impact in their community. Monthly meetings and events hel...
One of a father’s most important jobs is providing for his children. He works hard to support them, teach them, and protect them. Unfortunately, there are many children today who are struggling to sur...
To the Lakota, a horse is a relative. A four-legged friend and companion who has for centuries provided transportation, companionship, and pride. Kyal Middletent of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe [Kul Wi...
More than 590 youth from the Oceti Sakowin, "Seven Council Fires," gathered for an inspiring two-day conference dedicated to connecting our youth in a positive way.
Adonis Saltes is passionate about his Lakota heritage. He is determined to be a voice that makes an impact in the lives of Native youth as he instills the importance of education and honoring their cu...
Lately, much is being said about bias in the news. Bias is everywhere—even in the history books. Sadly, American history books leave out many of the facts about Native Americans and the atrocities of ...
"Children are wakȟáŋheža, 'sacred beings.' You are all sacred beings with special gifts. You all need to know this, and always remember this. There are no excuses when it comes to using drugs and alco...
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time for all of us to join together in an effort to eliminate the stigma that is often attached to this serious issue. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 5...
Kul Wicasa Oyate Tiwahe Aŋpetu "Community”and "unity” are important words in the Native culture. They are derived from the Lakota phrase Mitakuye Oyasin, which means we are all related, and without co...
Dances have always been an important part of life for American Indians. The celebration of dance through the vibrancy of the powwow brings people together and creates a deeper fellowship through tradi...
One of a mother’s greatest gifts to her children is the ability to nurture and care for them in a safe and loving environment. Unfortunately, there are mothers today fighting to provide these everyday...
We are excited to share our involvement in the Dreamstarter grant initiative! Trisha Burke, Native Hope's Creative Content Specialist, has been in Washington, D.C., this week with Stephan Cheney, a yo...
In Native American culture it is believed that all things possess an inherent virtue, power, and wisdom. The feather, for example, is a powerful symbol that signifies honor and a connection between th...
The Native American culture is a living, breathing entity. It is a tapestry of tradition and values passed on from generation to generation. One tradition that exemplifies the love of family and commu...
The heritage of Native Americans is rich in community and family bonds. In the Lakota culture, the word tiyospaye encompasses the conviction that family is not only made up of immediate blood relative...
Our beliefs represent the core of who we are. They convict us, guide us, and enrich us. The Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people are rooted in a heritage of values and beliefs passed on from their ancest...
Native Americans today are facing serious challenges as a result of events that happened almost seven generations ago, when our culture and way of life were almost completely destroyed. When such deva...
One day, when all is said and done and it is my time to go, when the Creator, along with my ancestors, comes to say, “My boy, what have you done for your people?” I want to be able to say, “Where do y...
How does tangible change take hold of a community and make a profound impact? It doesn’t happen overnight or even over a handful of years, yet it only takes one small pebble to make a ripple that even...
“During my junior year, I became the right hand man to Brother Renee Roy. He was an English major, and he was fostering me to go to Notre Dame. He introduced me to Macbeth and Hamlet…I loved that,” sh...
“I’m on a mission. I want to bring hope. I want to challenge how people perceive their world so we can heal and diversity can flourish,” explains Reuben Fast Horse, a member of the Hunkpapha Lakota fr...
“When a person cuts, it calms them down, and that registers in the brain as a calming mechanism,” says Dr. Paul Hokemeyer, a certified clinical trauma professional who frequently appears as an mental ...
It wasn’t until well into my teaching career that I began noticing an epidemic. At first it wasn’t apparent to me. Teenagers love to express themselves with shocking hairstyles, unique makeup, and ecc...
Through the Adorned Campaign, Amanda’s main message for the youth is “you are more!” She addresses the vital differences between self-esteem and self-worth, referencing Dr. Christina Hibbert, clinical...
In the United States, a person dies from suicide every 12.3 minutes. The suicide rate among American Indian/Alaska Native adolescents and young adults ages 15-24 is 1.5 times the national average. The...
With little response from the U.S. Army Corps Engineers, Bobbi Jean and the other runners grew eager to take more action, so they announced they would be running across the nation some 2,000 miles to ...
#NoDAPL (Dakota Access Pipeline) and “Stand with Standing Rock” have become rallying cries for the next generation of American Indians. Yes, it is about the water, “Mni Wiconi” (Water is Life), but be...
Education is part of the fabric that weaves our future and opens up doors of opportunities to accomplish our dreams. For generations, however, the educational rights of Native Americans have been dete...
Native Hope’s vision continues to focus on empowering Native Americans and being an extension of their voice, their culture, and their convictions. Last week, as most of us know, President Trump issue...
Human trafficking generates billions of dollars each year in corrupt profits, both globally and in the United States. This exploitation and entrapment of millions of people, mostly women and children,...
According to Devyn, a ten-year-old filmmaker, “being a part of the whole universe” is what inspires him to pursue his dream to be a director. He longs to leave his mark on the world through creating m...
Breaking news: President Donald Trump signed executive orders Tuesday advancing the controversial Keystone XL and Dakota Access oil pipelines. "If we're going to be building pipelines in the United St...
The vast plains of South Dakota are home to a total of nine reservations and designated tribal land areas—more than any other state. It’s estimated that the combined population of these reservations i...
Native American youth are facing a daily struggle of walking in two worlds: the Native world and the contemporary one. These are two very different places—especially when it comes to education. Post-...
Following college, Jordan Daniel (Brings Three White Horses) took a job with the National Indian Health Board as a congressional relations policy associate in Washington, D.C. During this time, she wo...
As we approach a New Year, each of us has hopes for making a real impact. We understand that our role is to #educate others about the issues facing Indian country, to teach others to #empathize with a...
It’s simple. Too many young Native Americans are being left behind. These young people are struggling to walk in two worlds: the Native world and the contemporary world. These are two very different p...
All of us here at Native Hope want to wish you Happy Holidays! Thank you for making 2016 a year to celebrate. We are truly seeing a generation of Native Americans bringing hope and change to their com...
Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Daniel is passionate about her people. A member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, KUL WICASA OYATE, and the granddaughter of Nyal Brings, (to read more about Nyal ...
A new fire has been lit at Standing Rock. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (Hunkpapa Oyate) found its voice in mainstream media peacefully protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). On April 1, 2016...
Before the establishment of the Indian reservations 165 years ago, this country’s Native ancestors had one of the healthiest cultures the world has ever known. They had a deep sense of community and f...
Kyal and his twin brother, Kansas, have a vision of empowering the youth of their reservation to believe in themselves. They want to encourage them to have positive self-esteem and a sense of pride. A...
Native Hope’s ambassadors, Kansas and Jaime, are part of a growing number of young Native Americans who are finding their voice and are determined to make a change. They are determined to change the w...
Emme is a young Native American with a passion for preserving the arts of her culture. As she pursues her goal to become an Art History or Classics professor, she interns at the Akta Lakota Museum at ...
As you may know, Native Hope has been tackling some extremely urgent issues plaguing Native American youth living on reservations today. The truth can be unsettling, but it needs to be told. Most impo...
When I asked Nyal Brings Three White Horses [Brings] how he had become such a motivated man and mentor to others, he recounted a childhood memory involving his brother. He said, “We started the barn o...
A little will and a big stride take the St. Joseph's Indian School Girls on the Run (GOTR) program across the 5K finish line! Last Sunday, 17 girls representing six of the nine South Dakota reservatio...
In South Dakota, sex trafficking is never in season. Beginning last month, Native Hope's on-the-ground awareness efforts combined with our digital audience's online involvement resulted in thousands o...
At many points during his college career at the University of South Dakota (1956-1960), Nyal Brings Three White Horses [Brings] contemplated quitting school. “If you don’t finish school, what will you...
Native Hope took their #NeverInSeason (NeverInSeason.org) campaign to the streets this past weekend to raise awareness of increased sex trafficking during hunting season in South Dakota. With the camp...
Domestic violence casts a broad shadow over America’s reservations. In fact, the lives of people living there are being destroyed by unyielding violence and trauma. Many Native American women and chil...
I don’t remember when I met him. Some people we meet, and others, we just know. Nyal Brings was one of those people whom everyone in our community just knew. He was known as “that runner who beat Bill...
I grew up in the middle of South Dakota, within hailing distance of two Indian reservations, but I started to regularly attend the spiritual, celebratory Native events called powwows only after a fami...
Home by definition is a place one makes a permanent residence. Jerri, like most people, wanted a home for her family—a place of stability, warmth, and love. As a young, working mother, she devoted her...
A breakthrough: After several years of searching for success at home, Tara has now moved off of her reservation. “My daughter likes Vermillion,” she says with a smile as she effortlessly works on bead...
When young men and women graduate high school, they instantly feel a wave of freedom sweep them away. They enjoy its warmth and possibility. Jerri fought hard to complete the credits she needed to gra...
Tara lay on the couch, her head spinning from the night before. Pizza boxes, empty cans, and people littered the cramped living room of the college rental house where she chose to hang out instead of ...
A powwow is a Native American celebration and a time for dance, tradition, and prayers. Our partner’s powwow was just that. The day was set with the beautiful sun gleaming down on all the young and ex...
Google “Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.” The search results may reveal the following words: broken, failing, suicide, forgotten, and third-world. However, Native Hope found Pine Ridge to be so much m...
All of us have scars from our battles. Some of those scars are deeper than others. These scars display our struggles openly to the world. Julie Richards (Julz Rich) bears those scars: the scars of abu...
Julz Rich explains she didn’t always have the strength to fight the demons of drug and alcohol abuse. She makes no excuses for her life. Instead, she hopes her mistakes will teach others that they, to...
When Julz Rich looks at the cross tattooed on her arm, she sees a reminder of the solidarity made while she attended school at St. Joseph’s Indian School in the '80s and early '90s. “The ties that I m...
A sex trafficking sting at this year's motorcycle rally in Sturgis, SD, leads to eight arrests. All eight men were charged with attempted enticement of a minor using the Internet.
Most members of the Oglala tribe have roots tracing back to the great Lakota chiefs: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Red Cloud, and others. Read part one of Julz' story here. Julz Rich is no exception to t...
Often life’s challenges render such despair that overcoming these hardships seems impossible. For Jerri, life has presented numerous obstacles; however, her struggles have empowered her to use her voi...
A Cry for Help, a blog posted earlier this month, introduced Robin LeBeau, the sexual assault coordinator at one of our partners on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. She is one of severa...
With trepidation, the young woman can barely get the words out, but she knows the bruises have already revealed her deepest, darkest secret. Robin listens attentively to the story she knows by heart, ...
Native American youth are at high risk for human trafficking—which is actually happening on reservations—and suicide—which is at crisis levels. But young Native Americans are speaking up and offering ...
We live in an age of social consciousness. Now, more than ever, we as a society are collectively aware of the problems we face, of injustices that demand action. Technology has not only made it easier...
