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I grew up 15 minutes from the Santee Sioux reservation, but, culturally, I couldn’t have been further from it. My grandparents were among the thousands of Native Americans who as children were forced to attend boarding schools designed by the U.S. government to crush our culture. And although my sanpa hunkake survived, the pain and cultural loss cut deep. Our Native culture was discussed very little at home.
Two personal turning points brought a deeper understanding of my own identity and that of my Native community. First, I took a job as a paraprofessional at the Santee school, where I became part of learning and passing down oral history and traditional skills to the next generation. And then, I entered into a relationship with my now husband, who grew up actively practicing his Dakota culture. From these moments on, our renewed and shared cultural bonds would shape our lives and our children’s upbringing.
I now serve my community as a Native Communities Project Associate with the Center for Rural Affairs. Today I’m asking for your help so together we can create turning points for others. Will you consider making a donation to grow and celebrate Native entrepreneurship and cultural revitalization efforts?
Your gift will support my work in Santee, where I organize culturally relevant business workshops for my neighbors. I bring in Native instructors who begin each class with the historical significance behind our focus, such as crafting shawls, a sought-after piece of regalia for pow wows and ceremonies. Instructors teach participants the step-by-step process of creating a one-of-a-kind item, along with the business and marketing skills they need to turn their new skill into an income stream.
One of the young people whose life you’ll enrich by making a donation today is 10-year-old Karyss, who attends the Center’s workshops with her two sisters and mom, Roni Starlin. Like me, Roni didn’t grow up immersed in her culture, but feels strongly that her children have a different experience.
Karyss was so inspired by our classes she decided to start her own business, “Pretty Wakage.” She created a ribbon skirt and raffled it off to raise the money to buy her own sewing machine.
Skills, confidence, and newly acquired sewing machine in hand, Karyss is unstoppable. That’s one of my favorite things about these workshops: the power people gain by taking part. They’re learning transferable skills and lifelong tools. When they walk out the door, they’re equipped with a confidence no one can take away.
Can I count on your support today to ensure these opportunities will be available for Roni and her daughters in years to come?
Right now is a particularly meaningful time to give. The current presidential administration continues to threaten federal grant funding that supports community and cultural efforts. Your contribution ensures our reliable service to rural communities can continue with no gaps or diminishing of programming.
Your gift nurtures our relationships within Tribes and with our community partners so that, together, our foundation of care grows deeper each year.
Thank you for believing in our work and for considering a gift today.
Feature photo: I encourage workshop attendees to bring their children, like the little one pictured here with me. This helps parents overcome the day care hurdle and fosters intergenerational learning, a pillar of our culture.
