Thirty-five years ago this month, a little volunteer-run youth center opened its doors in a Main Street bar in Eagle Butte South Dakota. The mission of “The Main” was simple: to provide a safe spaces, nutritious meals and snacks, and positive role models and mentors for children on the remote, 2.8-million-acre Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
Today, the nonprofit Cheyenne River Youth Project has a busy 5-acre campus on East Lincoln Street, which includes “The Main” youth center, Čhokáta Wičhoni teen center, Waniyetu Wowapi Art Park, and Winyan Toka Win Garden. It has garnered national and even international recognition for its innovative, resourceful work, which includes the 10-year-old Teen Internship Program and the award-winning RedCan invitational graffiti jam.
While a lot has changed, CRYP remains a local, grassroots, Native-led organization. And its core mission remains the same.
“Today, we are serving our second generation of Lakota youth, and we’re offering programs that we couldn’t have imagined in those early days,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director. “Our kids now have access to internships, art fellowships, traditional art workshops, Lakota culture camps, financial literacy classes, First Aid and CPR training, wellness education, and so much more.
“Yet it all comes down to one simple principle,” she continued. “We are still dedicated to providing the resources and opportunities our kids need to thrive. That’s why they trust us. They know they can rely on us to be here for them — now and in the future.”
To celebrate CRYP’s milestone 35th anniversary, CRYP hosted a Harvest Festival Dinner for the community on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023.
To learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, 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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project’s current campus, 5 acres on East Lincoln Street in Eagle Butte.
Courtesy photo.
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