Community
Oceti Wakan also serves our local relatives.
Here is how we work to change lives in the community
Wellness Center
Over the years, the Oceti Wakan Wellness Center has provided services for the local community in Pine Ridge. In the past, we have provided wellness programs for adults, children, and junior youths. The Center has also provided healing workshops that teach the benefits of EFT Tapping, Natural Medicines, movie nights for the youth community, and most recently, has provided a home for a Cultural Exchange Summer Camp program, which started as an annual Lakota Culture Camp program in the Summer of 2023.
Because of you, our supporters, we have finished the expansion of our Wellness Center. We have added a 20 X 24 addition to the Wellness Center so that we can offer more classes for children, Jr youth, and adults. It will be the home of a 1,500-book people’s library on Native Americans, healing practices, and self-help resources. We are also working to carefully curate resources available on podcasts, YouTube videos, and other media, plus online support groups, and many more self-help resources for those in search of healing and support in their process.
Healing Center (coming soon)
We invite you to join us in our journey to build a sanctuary for cleansing, purification, and reconnection with the teachings, values, and traditions of their ancestors.
Supporting Local Artists
Each Month we’ll highlight artists from the community, and where you can purchase their work.
For Our Relatives In Jail
A Guide to Transformation Using Lakota Values: Recovering life skills to create a life of purpose
On Pine Ridge, the majority of arrests are linked to alcohol and drug dependency issues. Many of these issues are the consequence of historical trauma. In response to alarming incarceration rates, our course “A Guide to Transformation Using Lakota Values: Recovering Life Skills to Create a Life of Purpose” was introduced in 2020 within our local jail. Since then, this 15-week adult course has blossomed, touching the lives of over 300 local inmates and is continuously evolving.
Guided by the profound teachings of the Lakota tradition, participants are invited to explore the intricacies of their “Four Bodies” – physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental. We delve beyond the surface, sharing the wisdom of the four great Lakota virtues, the Lakota/Dakota/Nakota worldview, and an examination of historical and intergenerational trauma. Navigating skillfully through topics such as breaking the cycle of addiction and codependence, understanding grief and loss, how to have healthy relationships, and discovering the gift of a life of service, and so much more. This course provides a comprehensive framework for personal growth and transformation.
Testimonials from course participants underscore its unique focus on their inherent nobility and its transformative role in instilling a newfound sense of hope. For many, this represents a pivotal step towards a life beyond incarceration. The course extends its impact beyond the classroom, offering ongoing support to maintain sobriety and forge a brighter, purpose-driven path.
Parent Workshop Training
Our Parent Handbook serves as a vital resource for the Lakota community, aiming to counteract the detrimental effects of racism by revitalizing traditional parenting skills. In collaboration with our culturally based life skills workbooks for children (‘Life Skills for the Young Lakota,’ ‘Life Skills for the Young Dakota,’ and ‘Life Skills for the Young Native American’), this handbook offers an 8-to-10-week course complete with an interactive workbook.
Key topics covered include:
- Alcohol and drug use
- Anxiety
- Abuse and bullying
- Depression and suicide prevention
- School dropout prevention
- Nutrition and healthy eating habits
- Emotional well-being
- Gang prevention
- Communication skills and conflict resolution
- Sexual health and abuse prevention
The handbook also delves deeply into addiction, addressing:
- Risk factors and warning signs
- Breaking the cycle of addiction
- Understanding codependency
- Consequences of substance abuse
- Support and prevention strategies
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) awareness and support for affected children - Accessing community resources for support
Furthermore, the handbook emphasizes the importance of respectful parenting, offering guidance on avoiding harsh punishment, promoting unity in diversity, the importance of consequences, and fostering a peaceful family environment. It highlights the devastating effects of verbal and physical abuse and advocates for nurturing mutual respect between parents and children.
The handbook concludes with chapters on health & wellness practices that families can engage in together, promoting bonding and resilience. Additionally, it features ten ancestor stories, honoring cultural heritage and providing opportunities for intergenerational connection.
Our overarching goal is to empower parents to actively engage in their children’s development, strengthen cultural connections, and build resilience against the challenges faced by the Lakota community.