Pine Ridge and Yankton Sioux Reservation Women and Children to Receive Tipis
San Francisco, CA, August 1, 2004
On June 4, 2004, the Brave Heart Society of the Yankton Sioux Reservation received their two Council Tipis and poles to be used by local women and children. Faith Spotted Eagle, the leader of the Brave Heart Society, said that the Tipis will be used this summer in the coming of age and womanhood ceremonies. These Dakota ceremonies connect the women and children to their Ihanktonwan ancestors. Faith Spotted Eagle is one of the Dakota speakers who keeps the language alive within the tribe.
Nagi Kicopi (Calling Spirit Back) on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, also received two Council Tipis for their mental health programs serving the emotional needs of the children and their families using Lakota traditional healing to overcome the effects of abuse and helping to reclaim Lakota identity through Lakota language, values, beliefs and ceremonies.
Lotus 88 Foundation is providing grants to these two grass roots organizations to erect Tipis for their local community members. The grants are the beginning of a program to provide women and children dedicated facilities to help improve their cultural, emotional and spiritual well being.
"This is the first of a series of Tipi projects focused on the well being of Native American Women and Children" said Suzanne Blue Star Boy, Executive Director of Indian Country Projects of Lotus 88 Foundation. "By focusing on a specific deliverable project we are able to immediately help those in need" added Blue Star Boy.
About Lotus 88 Foundation
The mission of Lotus 88 Foundation is the empowerment of women and children through supporting their spiritual, emotional, and economic development.
Lotus 88 is a "global" foundation that supports the efforts of women and children to govern their own lives and impact their communities in positive ways.
Lotus 88 Foundation is a 501 (C) 3 (application pending) publicly supported non-profit California corporation. All donations are tax deductible.
Contact: Suzanne Blue Star Boy
Tel: 415-296-3887
Fax: 202-234-5030 Suzanne@lotus88.org
