Sharing the Untold Story of Native America is one of the most important things we do at Native Hope, and if Indian Country is to heal, there must be an acknowledgment of the past. This acknowledgmen...
A community is only as strong as its mothers and fathers. The heritage of Native Americans is rich in community and family bonds. In the Lakota culture, the word thióšpaye encompasses the conviction t...
Andrew Jackson, James Monroe, Ulysses S. Grant, Andrew Johnson, Jefferson Davis, Franklin Pierce, Phillip Sheridan, Abraham Lincoln, and James Polk were among the contemporaries of William S. Harney, ...
May gave the team multiple opportunities to expand our horizons. The beautiful spring weather helped us renew and create friendships. It was refreshing to hit the road with a sense of hopefulness as o...
Jesse E., 16, participates in Sacred Hoops, a basketball program which provides opportunities for South Dakota youth to develop skills, travel, and compete. In order to participate in such a program, ...
Over the centuries, Native American akičhitas (warriors) watched over their oyates (tribes). They protected their people and helped in times of strife — it was the warriors’ job to ensure the survival...
People claim to “be there” for the 1 in 5 who suffer from mental health issues. However, those who suffer, particularly from multiple layers of trauma, feel alone a majority of their days. The reality...
April brings the promise of renewed strength, not only because the days are warmer but also because energy fills the air. With this energy, the Native Hope team leaped into spring with a sense of purp...
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...
"Keeping the Spirit Alive:" these words have become my mantra. They are also my commitment. They call me to walk in the ways of my ancestors, who lived in peace, beauty, and knowledge with all of Crea...
For Native Americans, every day is Earth Day. Traditionally and culturally, it is the duty of Native Americans to care for Unci Maka (Mother Earth). “We are the land ... that is the fundamental idea e...
There are currently 6.7 million Native Americans living in the United States. However... Living descendants of the Pueblo Native American tribe only make up 1.2 percent of that number. While Pueblo N...
March raced by all of us, but not before the Native Hope team, and our partners were able to do some amazing work. From food deliveries to storytelling, every day provides hope thanks to you!
Deb Haaland, who served as the U.S. representative for New Mexico's 1st congressional district from 2019 to 2021, is in the habit of making headlines and history. On March 15, 2021, President Joe Bi...
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 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; ...
"Our ancient prophesies say a time will come when the blue sky and waters turn black and green things turn brown and die. Animals and fish will disappear, and birds will drop from the sky. This devast...
Mní Wičóni translates to “Water is Life.” When called upon to think about something as essential yet basic as water, most don’t give its existence a second thought. Many people associate this life-sus...
March is Women’s History Month, so we wanted to highlight inspiring Native American women, both past and present, who have made an impact in the world around them. The historical significance of Nativ...
We have all heard it said that "It takes a Village to Raise a Child." I've been thinking about the true meaning behind these words. It is not about capability; it is about contribution. It takes many ...
"Philamayaye (thank you). For your assistance of prayers, food boxes, gifts of sage/sweetgrass, and generosity," wrote a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe (Kul Wícasa Oyate). A card arrived at our...
It wasn’t until well into my teaching career I began noticing an epidemic. At first, it wasn’t apparent to me. Teenagers love to express themselves with shocking hairstyles, unique makeup, and eccentr...
The idea was suddenly and unexpectedly born in 1995. I was living at my mother's house on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in eastern Arizona. Fresh out of high school and newly a father, my prospec...
In my ancestors' time, the Wanietu Iyawapi or Winter Count was how we recorded our history from "first snow winter to first snow winter." The Winter Count was the way we passed down our history from o...
What does changing the course of someone’s life look like? Is it possible that a simple gesture, a smile, a note, a hello can stop someone from taking his or her life? According to those who have eith...
"The Dawes Act affects me every day," explains Peter Lengkeek, Tribal Chairman of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe (Hunkpati Oyate). Peter holds out his hand and continues, "Because of the Dawes Act, I own ...
Working hand-in-hand to help those in need during this pandemic is an honor. Each week we visit with our contacts, tribal employees and program directors, to determine the needs of the children, elder...
Tamara shares her journey to know herself through her mother’s MMIW story. An aspect that is often forgotten when someone goes missing or is murdered is the impact on the family—especially the childre...
The following story was shared with Native Hope via email by J. Dakotah, a Native American human-trafficking survivor and advocate. Some of the content of this story is sensitive and may cause distre...
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, created to raise awareness of sex slavery and human trafficking worldwide. Trafficking is a critical problem that all of us at Native Hope are passionate ...
Giving fills the heart with warmth. This holiday season, Native Hope experienced the immense generosity of our supporters and partners. Their joy of giving allowed us to provide toys, food, clothing, ...
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing." In the first installment of this series, I mention this notion regarding Native American Land and Loss. The age-old phrase still applies as we look at aspe...
Fear is normally the root of tragedy. On December 29, 1890, that was the case: The Wounded Knee Massacre. This event was precipitated by the United States government’s fear of an uprising due to the p...
All of us here at Native Hope want to wish you Happy Holidays! As our team looks back on an amazing year of impact, we know our efforts would not have been possible without your support. Philámaya for...
My reservation, the Crow Creek Indian Reservation, lies along the Missouri River in the middle of South Dakota, where long stretches of land move like waves. Riding in the car to and from Chamberlain ...
According to Google Maps, the United States of America is 3.797 million square miles (mi²). New England measures in around 46,000 mi² (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and ...
COVID-19 cannot keep the Dakota people from remembering those hanged on December 26, 1862, in Mankato, Minnesota, upon President Abraham Lincoln’s order. This execution served as the U.S. government’s...
Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever. -Roy T. Bennett The COVID-19 storm wages on. Relatives, on and off reservations, are battling the virus in high numbers—many need s...
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 #GivingTuesday movement, on December...
I am Dennis Metcalf from Chamberlain, SD, and I have lived there for most of my life. I recently decided to go back to school and see a different part of the country while pursuing my passion for beco...
Honoring culture and individuality in an increasingly fast-paced, modern world is a challenge for the members of America's 574 federally recognized tribes. But one woman came up with a simple idea—tha...
Serving to protect this nation is something Native Americans have done since the Revolutionary War. Many ask how is it possible that Natives want to serve a country where "they [U.S. military] weren't...
The bison's (Buffalo's) value among Native American tribes, particularly the Plains tribes, remains priceless. Its life and near extinction closely mirror North America's indigenous—for without the Bu...
Every November since 1990, the United States celebrates Native American Heritage Month. The commemoration of the month provides a platform for Native Americans to share traditions, music, crafts, and ...
All relatives living on Unci Maka (Grandmother Earth) continue to endure the effects of COVID-19. On reservations, many do so on slim resources. We continue to assist those in need with groceries, cle...
In South Dakota, October 17, kicks off South Dakota’s annual pheasant season opener, offering access to nearly 4.5 million acres of public land. It is the largest hunting attraction in the state; it’s...
“That hand is not the color of yours, but if I prick it, the blood will flow, and I shall feel pain. The blood is of the same color as yours. God made me, and I am a man." -Chief Standing Bear, Ponca ...
"At last, I see a rift in the rocks. A little way beyond, there are green prairies. The swift-running water, the Niobrara, pours down between the green hills. There are the graves of my fathers…" - Ch...
“I seem to be standing on a high bank of a great river, with my wife and little girl at my side. I cannot cross the river, and impassable cliffs arise behind me. I hear the noise of great waters; I lo...
Along with the heat, August delivered several opportunities to support our relatives on local reservations and in schools. While COVID-19 has altered many of the typical August festivities around the ...
The International Association for Suicide Prevention [IASP], in official relations with the World Health Organization, has deemed September 10 as World Suicide Prevention Day. Native American suicide ...
During this pandemic, people across all nations, Native and non-Native, are dealing with escalating rates of suicidal ideation and completion. Suicidal thoughts stem from several sources. Depression i...
Usually, August means excitement for children. Back to school means buying school supplies and new clothes for the school year, plus the benefit of seeing their friends again. However, for many Native...
July brought sounds of happiness and sights of joy for our team, volunteers, and communities. We spent the past 18 weeks making new friendships and establishing valuable bonds—bonds that will extend w...
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...
Resting high above the treetops of the Black Hills (Paha Sapa), sacred lands of his people, a monument of Crazy Horse (Tȟašúŋke Witkó), legendary Oglala Lakota warrior, acts as a sentinel and symbol o...
Did you know 1 in 4 Native Americans experience food insecurity? It’s true. Unfortunately, hunger and malnutrition are very common on America’s reservations. Statistically, “households of Native Ameri...
Native American tribes hold the elk, wapiti (Shawnee and Cree) or Heȟáka (Lakota), in high esteem and consider him a relative—a relative who brings strength, endurance, and patience. Tribal Nations ea...
“Mní Wiconí” (Water is Life) finds new breath. On July 6, 2020, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, ruled in favor of the Standing Rock...
“To focus on anything has been hard. I have been beading, fishing, mowing—even other people’s lawns, just to keep my mind off of everything [COVID-19],” shares Lower Brule community member and mother ...
In a time when we say, “We’re all in this together,” those who are affected by COVID-19 don’t always feel that way. “There is a lot of fear and anxiety because everyone is shut in. Those who have it [...
Native Americans built their communities on the idea of “mutual support” and friendship. For centuries the Native tribes of this continent survived on networking, not only by living in harmony with ea...
“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 ...
One of the greatest challenges facing Native Americans today is the lack of positive, authentic representation in mainstream media, culture, and consciousness. For many non-Native people, Native Ameri...
If adults think navigating COVID-19 is a challenge, imagine the view from the eyes of a child. Think of the sweeping changes in their routines! Every household, every community, every state, every cou...
Most Native American tribes revere the bear. Like the turtle, each tribe’s cultural view of the bear varies; however, at the core, the bear represents authority, good medicine, courage, and strength. ...
In our April Hope Report, we described the food insecurity many tribal nations face. COVID-19 has amplified the need for assistance in Native communities, especially now. When schools closed for the ...
Who determines what is important to Indian Country? The People. Often, organizations and donors drum up ideas to “create change” to “move the needle.” They sit around a table and hash out how to be im...
It is crazy that in a time which demands distancing, the most vital of connections are made. Thank you, Facebook and Facebook Messenger, for without you, we may not have connected with Zoel Zohnnie, f...
Native Americans built their communities on the idea of “mutual support” and friendship. For centuries the Native tribes of this continent survived on networking, not only by living in harmony with ea...
What is needed? Simply stated, security. Security comes in many forms: food, cleaning supplies, diapers, masks. Security means that needs are met. That is what we have been working on this month, with...
Before my earthly arrival, my grandmother, mother, and closest aunt were set in their unique passions. Being born into a life surrounded by strong female role models. I, like many Diné young women, gr...
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...
To the Lakóta and Dakóta, the horse is a relative. What does it mean to be a relative? It is more than a connection through blood—it is spiritual. Although history tells us that the modern-day horse a...
COVID-19 is blasting minorities and underserved populations at an alarming rate. One member of the Crow Creek Indian Reservation in South Dakota remarked that if COVID-19 hits, it will “spread like wi...
Turtle–Kéya The turtle is a sacred creature among Native American tribes. Each tribe’s cultural view of the turtle/tortoise, is slightly different; however, the deeper meaning remains the same: the tu...
This April all communities around the world are striving to defeat an unseen killer among us—COVID-19. Coincidently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health [OMH] ce...
March was filled with giving hope and sharing love with the various community members and tribal organizations—partnering to helping those in need. In response to COVID-19, multiple trips to the local...
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...
“Something good must come out of this. All it takes is one more time, one more try, one more prayer,” offered Gifford Standing, recovering meth addict.
“The effect it [drug court] had on me was it opened my eyes to reality, because it [meth] wasn't only hurting me—it was hurting my family,” shares Jason Goodface, recovering meth addict and Lower Brul...
Tatanka is Lakóta for “big beast” or buffalo. It roamed the plains of North America in prolific herds.n fact, 200 years ago, tens of millions of buffalo roamed the plains of North America, but by 1884...
Tribal School Wins MIT Grant Lower Brule High School, Lower Brule, SD, received a $10,000 InvenTeam grant from Massachusetts Institute of Technology [MIT]—not only are they the first South Dakota rec...
It never took much effort to find a game of basketball on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. If the weather was decent, all you needed was a ball and a hoop. When the sound of the ball slapping the pa...
Thanks to donors like you, February was filled with giving hope and sharing love. Native Hope was able to assist with various community events and worked with local organizations to help those in need...
February reminds us of love, support, and caring for one another. It also reminds us that there are so many people in the world who are hurting. We would like to highlight two other organizations doin...
While January is coming to a close, we cannot forget that each day Indigenous women and children are disappearing at alarming rates. Prevention is key and the best prevention is awareness. If you see ...
Communality, it is a word borrowed from our Indigenous relatives of the South. It is defined as “the state or condition of being communal. A feeling or spirit of cooperation and belonging arising from...
J.Dakotah, a survivor, believes in the power of healing through sharing her experience in order to prevent others from the abuse she suffered. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention month. ...
The following post contains mature themes and references. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This post comes a difficult time for all people. Due to COVID-19, many of us are cooped up in our hom...
Our community outreach efforts in December were the highlight of our holidays! Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the work of other local organizations, Native Hope was able to provide g...
In 2010, President Obama declared January National Human Trafficking Awareness month and the United States Senate designated January 11 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Human trafficking ...
While this article was originally written and published in 2016, its contents are still relevant, today. In fact, according to Business Insider, "Since 2007, more than 49,000 cases of human traffickin...
Photo Courtesy of the South Dakota Humanities Council Whenever the winter wind began to howl on a cold night on the plateau above the Makizita Wakpa—now known as the Little White River—my boyish appre...
Part 2 of Tamara’s story highlights her struggle to find answers surrounding her mother’s murder and her hopes that sharing her story will encourage others to break their silence. Native women and chi...
After Native Hope team member ran the Dakota 38 Memorial Run in December 2018, she wrote this post. Earlier this month, we shared a post about this year's (2019) Memorial Ride, so we thought it import...
Native Hope collaborated with the Growing Strong Together founder, Shane Avery, Santee, Nebraska, and youth participants to tell the story of the strength Native youth are finding from the Horse Natio...
This week's blog shares updates from members of the Native Hope team about the ways we have been working in local communities to engage young people in Native culture and bring awareness to the beauty...
As I write this, it is 7 degrees and windy outside. I am thinking about the relatives of the Hunkpati Oyate (Crow Creek Indian Reservation)—those who endured the bitter cold winds of Mankato, Minnesot...
*The name of this individual has been changed to protect identity. Michael* a transfer student from a neighboring tribal school, made his way to his desk—hoodie masking his drained eyes, body draggin...
Today's blog is a guest post written by Audreyanna Martin, a college student. We hope you find her powerful reflection on stereotypes and Native identity thought-provoking. I grew up in a small town ...
The creativity and hopefulness among our community members is a constant source of inspiration for our work at Native Hope. In spite of adversity, there are people who wake up each day ready to fight ...
October brought multiple opportunities to provide hope in action to our local schools and communities. We also continued our work on the baseball field of dreams with the Crow Creek District of the Cr...
We are launching a peer-to-peer fundraising program! Many of you are already passionate donors and supporters. We want to maximize your impact in Indian Country, so we have created more opportunities ...
On April 3rd, 2019, the state of New Mexico officially replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous People’s Day. From now on, the second Monday in October will honor the strength and resilience of Indigenou...
As we move into fall, Native Hope has been hard at work on projects in our local South Dakota community. In addition to our recent successful campaign to raise money for a baseball field for Native ch...
In August, the Avera Health Employee Engagement Team of Sioux Falls filtered a book drive through Native Hope. Avera Health Employees donate books each summer, and the engagement team finds a partner ...
One of our first Native Hope Fellows, Nikki Lowe of the Chickasaw Nation, continues to make small strides within her community that make a difference for Native youth. Currently residing in Albuquerqu...
It takes a special person to choose a career in law enforcement. As the first responders for protection and justice, the expectation is high for an officer to be fair, discerning, and strong. But what...
In today's post, Talon Bazille Ducheneaux/ShootsTheEnemy, founder of Wonahun Was’te’ Records, shares about grief in Native American communities and how one special song came to life in the wake of a p...
Native Hope Leaders’ Society member Ramez wants to create a positive impact on his friends and classmates from his native community. That’s why Ramez volunteers his time to teach youth and families to...
Early this spring, a group of Native parents in a remote community on the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Reservation began to dream about a baseball field for their community. They knew they needed healthy ac...
Special thanks to Talon Bazille Ducheneaux/ShootsTheEnemy for sharing his story below. When I began my journey as a “hip hop artist” I honestly didn’t think it would take me anywhere. I was highly i...
“If you build it, they will come.” An old adage, but according to the Crow Creek District [CCD] Representative Carla Pickner, a true one. Last summer, she saw the community come together day after day...
Summertime comes with familiar sights, sounds, and smells. The feeling of the sun baking your skin. The fireworks on the Fourth of July. The thwack of bat on ball when you head to the local baseball g...
Most Americans think of the bow and arrow as a tool for hunting or sports. But writer and craftsman Joseph Marshall III has always seen the bow and arrow as a source of spiritual guidance. In Lakota c...
Google “Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.” The search results may reveal the following words: broken, failing, suicide, forgotten, and third-world. However, Native Hope knows that Pine Ridge is so much...
All great cultures have traditions and teachings that offer truth for our lives today. Whether these traditions and teachings are spiritual, philosophical, or physical, they all serve to connect pres...
The following post was written by Native Hope team member, Alexis Estes, after her experience running in the Dakota 38 Memorial in December 2018. This post is the first of a series of stories that are...
Most Native youth don’t get the support they need from families or others, and some families don’t encourage their kids. The Pygmalion effect helps explain this: people tend to perform at the level th...
It's not every day that you get to share your story with one of the world's most powerful organizations and add your voice to the global conversation. On March 12th, 2019, Alexis Woksape Ole Winyan (S...
The day Dirk Whitebreast lost his sister was the last day he touched alcohol. A member of the Sac and Fox tribe (Meskwaki Nation), Whitebreast and his two sisters were raised by his grandmother and gr...
The year is 1973. On Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, the site of the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre, members of the American Indian Movement are engaged in an extended protest and stand-off with m...
The folllowing biographical story was written by Charlotte Miller and shared with Native Hope by Wayne Smoke-Snellgrove. Wayne William Snellgrove stepped off the tiny duel prop plane in Wadena, Saskat...
As 2018 winds to a close, we're back with one more "In the Field" post! We love taking some time at the end of each month to share with you about the work we have done in our community and throughout ...
Who are we without a home? Every human being longs to have a space where they are safe, where they are loved, where their spirit feels at peace. For many, the best word to capture this sense of secur...
The Native Hope team is back with some updates on our work in the last month! Through the power of the internet and social media, we are able to have larger conversations with the country and world ab...
There are always two sides of a story. Unfortunately, when it comes to the history of Thanksgiving, generations of Americans have been taught a one-sided history in homes and schools. The dominant cul...
“A word has power in and of itself. It comes from nothing into sound and meaning; it gives origin to all things.” -N. Scott Momaday, Native American author Most of us are surrounded by stories. Whet...
This November, Native Hope launched a movement of healing, solidarity, and hope focused on hearing and sharing Native stories. #StorytellingHeals is an effort to share more stories of hope, creativity...
As we move into the month of November and begin to share stories from Natives around the country who are participating in the #StorytellingHeals movement, we are also celebrating and sharing the work ...
The Native Hope team is back with another update about our events and activities in the last month! Our mission is about hope and healing, and a huge part of hope is sharing about the positive activit...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
“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 its 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 ...
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, some believe up to 60 million, N...
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...
Reuben Fast Horse, the Lakota magician, understands the world of creating illusions. He believes that magic holds the key to altering perceptions, and he serves as an amazing teacher. Through a combin...
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 ...
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...
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, Native Hope Ambassador, recently s...
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...
President St. Joseph's Indian School explains how early intervention and educational opportunities can give Native Americans the tools to succeed not only in school, but also in life. The school's par...
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...
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...
January is Human Trafficking Awareness month. While this article was originally written and published in 2016, its contents are still very relative. In fact, according to Business Insider, "Since 2007...
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...
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...
We believe healing starts with a vulnerable recounting of where one has been, where one is today, and where one wants to be tomorrow. That’s why we share stories.
Tune Into Our Podcast
Hear the voices and stories of prominent Native American leaders across multiple industries as they share how their struggles, victories, and strong connection to their heritage helped mold their character and guide them to success.
