Monday, June 18, 2012

First full day of work, which included readying a massive newsletter for mailing, working in a 2.5 acre garden, helping organize stock in a warehouse, cleaning (really cleaning) locker rooms, living and learning areas, kitchen and food pantry, and supervising a group of local children who come to a summer youth program for ages 4 through 12). At lunch, we heard from a man named Ray, a native of the reservation who told us stories of the origin of the area, how people live, what people yearn for, and a number of other things.

We met more of the staff of the Cheyenne River Youth Project, and marvel at how much they do to keep things running. They had some kind of staffing emergency, so the individuals with whom we expected to work are not here with us. But the rest of the permanent team, and the crew of long term volunteers have stepped up and are giving us a busy experience.

Because of the nature of the "neighborhood," we  have to stay pretty close to base, and sometimes that tight proximity challenges us to pay closer attention to what it takes to be a meaningul community, in addition to being a little frustrating for some of us who would like to see a little bit more of the country. But that will come later.  There is much to do and learn here, and they are doing well. Our group is working hard at becoming a deeper community. Some are stepping up and assuming leadership roles, and ones who were at first timid about the whole experience are doing very well.