8-14-07

Several days ago, I posted a blog where I described the work being done at Tusweca Tiospaye (Dragonfly Community). I’d like to pick up this week on the ideas about “what is Tanka” that were discussed in that posting

Tusweca Tiospaye is only one of the examples of “being Tanka” on our reservation. It is very easy to focus on the hardship and negativity of where we live, and ignoring the situation won't make it go away. But, it is my belief that by pointing out the positive work of others in our community, we are one step closer to making a better place for us all. There is an energy emerging in Native communities all over this hemisphere. You can see it here and there, pockets of hope that are beginning to spread outward. Some places are using music. Others are coming together in prayer. Some Native youth are joining forces to protect their lands and sacred places.

This week, I want to talk to you about Thunder Valley. It is a small community between Rocky Ford and Sharp's Corner out here on Pine Ridge. Some people have jokingly called it Prairie Dog Flats due to the flatness of the land and the abundance of prairie dogs. The truth is that Thunder Valley is more than a geographic location or just a group of people. It is a place of prayer that lives in the hearts of the people that go there. People who don't even live in the same state still call Thunder Valley their home.

Out of respect for that circle, I will not discuss spirituality here on the Internet. I don't believe this is the proper venue for it. I want to talk about what else is going on there.

Thunder Valley is a non-profit organization structured as a Community Development Corporation. The first project of Thunder Valley CDC is a community house built by the people there. Almost all of the labor put into this project is volunteer. It has come a long way from an idea spoken around a fire, to the beautiful building we see today. There has been a solid core of people always there, moving it along. But hundreds of hands have put work into this project. This building will be used for community events, birthdays, gatherings and workshops. This is something that the community can be proud of and say, “This is ours, we built it!”

We often see that people with the money come to our reservation and, in one brief visit, manage to find the root of all our problems for us. They soon pool their resources together, put their ideas on paper and now all they need is some helpful local person to do all the work. Some have called this “Save the Indian syndrome.” It is refreshing to see an organization spring up from the grassroots.

Thunder Valley CDC's stated goal is:

“To empower native youth and families through cultural education and preservation.”
The current flavor in the non-profit scene is “youth leadership,” which many people take to mean that teenagers are in charge of the ideas and implementation of projects. At Thunder Valley, they look at youth leadership as a transition from one generation to another. The children who are now singing the songs and remembering the stories are going to be the leaders of this community. One of the ways they impart knowledge onto the youth is by taking them to the seasonal rituals; welcoming back the spring and giving thanks for making it through the hard winter, picking the medicines they will need all year, and helping prepare for the summer ceremonies.

“Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.” – Sitting Bull

As Native people, we have gone as far into despair as we could, we hit bottom. Now, in this generation, we are picking ourselves up and building upon what our parents and grandparents have given us. Thunder Valley is building a cultural foundation for the members of its community so they can take Lakota teachings and apply them to their lives. By doing this, they hope to build strong families and a strong community. In this way, Thunder Valley is not so much an organization as a way of life. These people are striving to live with no separation in their belief and their reality. To me, that is great. That is Tanka.

After saying all that, I feel it is a little out of place to plug our product. But the truth is, that is what I am here to do. The Tanka Bar is food that fits into this way of life. It is modern and built on the traditions of our ancestors. It will transcend all previous protein, health bar, and dried meat snacks. This is not some outside product I am pushing onto you. It is a blessing I am introducing to you. It is my hope that people accept this, share it, and make it their own.

In my previous blog I have asked, “What does Tanka mean to you?” Now I ask, what are examples of this powerful energy in your community? What are the stories that you want to share?

I humbly thank you for your time.