INTRODUCING OUR "CHEYENNE RIVER FIGHTS COVID-19" ART CONTEST WINNERS!
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The Cheyenne River Youth Project has announced the three winners of its “Cheyenne River Fights Covid-19” Art Contest. The youth art contest took place in May.
Tusweca Mendoza, 14, won first place and a cash award of $300 (his work is pictured above). Angel Benson came in second with a cash award of $200, and Mahpiya Eagle Hunter, 8, was third with a cash award of $100 (both pieces are pictured below).
The judges recognized these three young artists based on their creativity/originality, connection to the theme, and artistic skills. They were allowed to create their work in any medium.
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THIS AUGUST, CRYP WILL HOST A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE REDCAN INVITATIONAL GRAFFITI JAM
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The Cheyenne River Youth Project will host a special edition of its annual RedCan invitational graffiti jam this summer. Scheduled for Aug. 12-15, RedCan will incorporate an innovative virtual component as well as a variety of youth art activities at CRYP’s Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count) Art Park.
In mid-May, CRYP postponed its 6th annual RedCan event due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It soon became clear to staff, however, that the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation community needs RedCan — perhaps this year more than ever.
“We created RedCan to form a bridge between Lakota culture and graffiti culture,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director. “Over the years, we learned that RedCan does so much more than that. It educates and inspires our youth. It brings families together. It strengthens the connections we have with our Lakota culture, and it lifts up our entire community. As we face this unprecedented crisis, our Lakota Nation needs RedCan’s good energy and powerful medicine, and we want to take it to the rest of the country as well.”
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CRYP KEEPS TEENS ENGAGED WITH CREATIVE SUMMER CLASSES AT COKATA WICONI
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Although this summer isn’t a typical one thanks to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it’s still off to a busy start at the Cheyenne River Youth Project. The nonprofit organization, located in the heart of South Dakota’s remote Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, is working hard to ensure that Lakota youth still have access to arts, culture, education, and inspiration with positive role models and safe spaces.
Not only is CRYP providing online “distance learning” camps with accomplished guest instructors outside Cheyenne River’s borders, it is inviting local Lakota artists to provide in-person instruction to small groups of teens in the Cokata Wiconi (Center of Life) gymnasium, which staff members have transformed into safe, socially distant learning center. The classes run the gamut, from mask- and moccasin-making to painting, mixed media, and native wellness.
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SUMMER IS OFF TO A BUSY START IN CRYP'S WINYAN TOKA WIN GARDEN
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June is off to a busy start at the Cheyenne River Youth Project, located in the heart of South Dakota’s remote Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Every day, staff members have been busy planting crops in their 2.5-acre, pesticide-free Winyan Toka Win (Leading Lady) Garden.
So far, the CRYP team has planted sweet, trident and jalapeño peppers; cucumbers; tomatoes; cabbage; and potatoes, including three rows of container potatoes. They also planted 44 wild grape trees.
“Our goal is to establish an orchard with chokecherries, sand cherries, wild plums, and wild grapes,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director. “It’s a lot of work, but it will be worth it to bring so many of our traditional Lakota foods to our campus—and to our kids.”
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Meet Sarah Antrim-Cambium
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My name is Sarah Antrim-Cambium, and I’m 54 years old. I’m originally from a small farming community in central Illinois, but I’ve lived in Chicago for the last 13 years.
I’m a Spanish teacher with two master’s degrees: one in translation and interpretation, and another in educational leadership. I also am the executive director for the nonprofit International Dream Achievers Network.
CRYP’s mission, and the energy and dedication of the staff and volunteers, really spoke to me. I thought I could contribute something, and I knew I could learn a lot.
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Although Nation Cowins grew up in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, he didn’t discover CRYP’s youth programming until this spring. He first arrived at Cokata Wiconi (Center of Life) in March, and he immediately got involved with the teen center’s native wellness, native food sovereignty, indigenous cooking, and arts programs.
“The different types of programs were appealing for me,” says Nation, 13. “Especially the garden, and cooking.”
At the moment, Nation is busy with CRYP’s teen art internship. He says the internship has been good for him.
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WELCOME TO OUR ONLINE KEYA GIFT SHOP
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CRYP is proud to make select items from the Keya (Turtle) Gift Shop available online, and proceeds benefit the nonprofit organization's youth programming and family services.
By supporting the Keya Gift Shop, you're also supporting local artists and craftspeople; our youth artists, who are learning how their creative passions might translate to possible career opportunities; and our teen interns, who work in our gift shop every day, developing valuable skills in customer service, financial literacy and business management.
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SUMMER SPECIAL
Save 10% on CRYP Water Bottles!
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While our volunteer program is suspended for the duration of the Covid-19 public health crisis, we are continuing to accept applications, and we look forward to welcoming you to our CRYP campus!
If you are interested in applying for our volunteer program, please click
here
to learn more. And to meet a few of our former volunteers, check out our
Volunteer Spotlight
.
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There are so many ways to support CRYP and our ongoing mission in the Cheyenne River community. If you wish to make a donation,
please click here
, and you may earmark your contribution for the program or initiative that resonates most with you.
You'll also learn more about planned giving, CRYP's endowment fund, and a special GoFundMe charity that benefits our organization.
Also, what if CRYP earned a donation every time you searched the Internet or made an online purchase?
Click here
to learn how you can support our nonprofit, grassroots youth organization through AmazonSmile, Capital One, GoodSearch, and GoodShop. It's easy to set up, and with every purchase, a percentage will benefit CRYP.
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SPONSOR ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES FOR CRYP YOUTH
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CRYP is always looking for sponsors to support art and athletic enrichment activities for our after-school and summer programs. We're deeply grateful for both monetary and in-kind donations; at the link below, you'll also find details about planned giving, our endowment fund, and a GoFundMe charity that benefits CRYP.
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CRYP relies on in-kind donations as well as funding to continue our mission in the Cheyenne River community. If you'd like to help,
please click here
and scroll down to "In Kind Donations," where you'll find links to our Amazon wish list.
You also may contact us at (605) 964-8200 if you'd like a copy of our most up-to-date list, as well as and price quotes for particular needs. Thank you for your support!
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Each month, we host a birthday party for children at The Main whose birthdays fall during that month. To offset the cost of each party, CRYP seeks monthly sponsors to contribute $40 for the birthday cake. Although we cannot host our parties currently due to the Covid crisis, we are maintaining our birthday party fund for when our kids can come back.
Please click here
, select "The Main" for your gift, and mention "Birthday Cake" in the notes. Philámayeye!
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To learn more about CRYP and its programs, call (605) 964-8200 or visit
www.lakotayouth.org
.
And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on social media.
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The Cheyenne River Youth Project is dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities, ensuring strong, self-sufficient families and communities. Visit us at
www.lakotayouth.org
.
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