Transitions
Returned back home last evening from a long weekend on the reservation, so the next few posts will be filled with images and notes from that trip. The reason for going out was to join friends and continue relationships established with our 'partner families' through our work with Habitat for Humanity
A day filled with joy, pride and celebration.
Ceremonies were scheduled throughout the day, starting at 8am with Anpe Wi Hoyekiyapi (Calling the Sun to Bring Good Energy and Health to All Creation); Tiazilkiyapi (Purification of the Multi Purpose Building), Wasiglaki Istamni Yanpi Wicakci Pakintapi (Wiping of Tears Ceremony), Graduation at Noon and ending with Wiyaka un Wicayuonihan in which relatives of the graduates who have previously received a feather/degree tie a feather in the hair of the current graduate.
Harold's son, Joe, did the honors for him.
While Harold received a BA in Lakota studies, it was also a day of recognition for his wife, Stacy, who received a 1yr certificate in Office Technology. (Although she was reluctant to call any attention to herself and away from Harold's BIG accomplishment; she was even reluctant to have her picture taken).
Harold had a stroke several years ago which resulted in permanent left sided hemiparesis and which completely changed his life.
He has been receiving Social Security Disability and could have continued to remain unemployed. Unfortunately that is the choice that many in his position would have made.
Harold chose to re-evaluate his options and move in another direction - and we are SO proud of him!
He laughingly told us about calling the Social Security Office to tell his caseworker to discontinue his payments for Disability. Apparently it is such a rare occurrence for someone, especially on the reservation, to get a degree and a job that she spontaneously burst into tears and then called her colleagues over to the phone where they all shouted "Congratulations" and sang "For he's a jolly good fellow".
Stacy will continue to work as the Liaison between the University and Tribal Headstart.
Harold has already begun teaching Lakota at the high school at St Francis.
Ironically this is the same high school that he attended, in which, if the students were 'caught' speaking Lakota, they were physically punished. The fact that the school now employs a teacher in Lakota Studies is a hopeful sign of how things are slowly changing.
It was so much fun to concentrate on the good things that are happening, especially in a place and time in which obstacles and challenges can seem insurmountable.
It was a blessing for us to be with the Charging Hawk family on such a special occasion.
A day filled with joy, pride and celebration.
Ceremonies were scheduled throughout the day, starting at 8am with Anpe Wi Hoyekiyapi (Calling the Sun to Bring Good Energy and Health to All Creation); Tiazilkiyapi (Purification of the Multi Purpose Building), Wasiglaki Istamni Yanpi Wicakci Pakintapi (Wiping of Tears Ceremony), Graduation at Noon and ending with Wiyaka un Wicayuonihan in which relatives of the graduates who have previously received a feather/degree tie a feather in the hair of the current graduate.
Harold's son, Joe, did the honors for him.
While Harold received a BA in Lakota studies, it was also a day of recognition for his wife, Stacy, who received a 1yr certificate in Office Technology. (Although she was reluctant to call any attention to herself and away from Harold's BIG accomplishment; she was even reluctant to have her picture taken).
Harold had a stroke several years ago which resulted in permanent left sided hemiparesis and which completely changed his life.
He has been receiving Social Security Disability and could have continued to remain unemployed. Unfortunately that is the choice that many in his position would have made.
Harold chose to re-evaluate his options and move in another direction - and we are SO proud of him!
He laughingly told us about calling the Social Security Office to tell his caseworker to discontinue his payments for Disability. Apparently it is such a rare occurrence for someone, especially on the reservation, to get a degree and a job that she spontaneously burst into tears and then called her colleagues over to the phone where they all shouted "Congratulations" and sang "For he's a jolly good fellow".
Stacy will continue to work as the Liaison between the University and Tribal Headstart.
Harold has already begun teaching Lakota at the high school at St Francis.
Ironically this is the same high school that he attended, in which, if the students were 'caught' speaking Lakota, they were physically punished. The fact that the school now employs a teacher in Lakota Studies is a hopeful sign of how things are slowly changing.
It was so much fun to concentrate on the good things that are happening, especially in a place and time in which obstacles and challenges can seem insurmountable.
It was a blessing for us to be with the Charging Hawk family on such a special occasion.
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