More than 70 community members of all ages gathered at the Cheyenne River Youth Project on Thursday (May 7, 2026) to mark the start of the growing season at the Winyan Toka Win (Leading Lady) Garden. Each year, CRYP’s garden blessing ceremony brings generations together to begin the season in a good way, rooting the work in cultural teachings and shared purpose.
Sixty-three youth participated in this year’s ceremony. Afterward, they joined the Wakinyan Maza drum group, CRYP staff and additional community members in the Cokata Wiconi (Center of Life) Teen Center for a celebratory meal.
“The kids were so excited to bless the garden,” said Dalton Fischer, CRYP’s gardener and facilities manager.
Before the ceremony began, Lakota elder Wakinyan Peta shared its significance with the young people in attendance, offering context that extended beyond the moment. According to Wakinyan Chief, CRYP’s arts manager, that understanding matters.
“We are grateful to Wakinyan Peta and the Wakinyan Maza singers, especially for the way the ceremony was explained,” he said. “He told them now, whenever someone asks if they have ever been to a Lakota ceremony, they can say that they have.”
The youth played a central role during the blessing, smudging to the four directions as Wakinyan Maza played. Wakinyan Chief noted that their presence strengthened the experience for all.
“In the Lakhol Wichoh’an (the Lakota way of life), we believe the children are sacred,” he said. “Anytime they are involved in a ceremony, it enhances it and makes it much more powerful. We had all generations there, helping each other to bring their energy to bless the garden. We are hopeful this growing season will be a great one.”
That intergenerational dynamic continued beyond the ceremony. As the evening unfolded, older youth stepped into leadership roles, guiding the younger children and helping them move through the experience with confidence and care.
“It was wonderful to see how the teens, when tasked with helping the littles, acted as role models,” Wakinyan Chief said. “It was beautiful to see.”
After the ceremony, it was time for dinner. Fischer and CRYP Administrative Assistant Johnny Blanco led the food preparation team, supported by youth participants who stepped in where needed.
They served bison roast with gravy, mashed potatoes and pasta salad, with many guests returning for seconds. A family arriving later in the evening was welcomed with a meal and sent home with wateca, or leftovers.
“As soon as they arrived, our Youth Employment Initiative trainees stepped up to help finish the last few things for the meal,” Fischer said. “I’m so thankful for our CRYP team and the way everyone comes together to serve the community.”
“The meal was delicious—Dalton and Johnny did a wonderful job,” Wakinyan Chief said. “I also would like to offer a special thank you to our YEI trainees. Alexander and Diamonique took leadership roles in guiding the littles from The Main, and Dominique and Covain were such a great help with preparing and serving the food, as well as cleaning up afterward.”
The annual garden blessing marks the beginning of a new cycle at Winyan Toka Win, the nearly 3-acre garden that has served the Cheyenne River community for more than 50 years. Established in 1975, the garden produces thousands of pounds of fresh, pesticide-free produce each year.
CRYP has managed the garden since 2000. Today, it supports daily meals and snacks for youth, supplies items for the Keya Gift Shop and provides hands-on learning opportunities for participants in the youth project’s Native Food Sovereignty programs.
Through structured programming, children and teens learn to plant, harvest and care for the land while building practical skills and cultural knowledge. With the blessing ceremony now complete, CRYP staff are working closely with these young people to prepare for the busy months ahead.
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 lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Vimeo and YouTube.
Children prepare to smudge to the four directions at CRYP’s annual garden blessing ceremony.
Courtesy photo.
CRYP Gardener Dalton Fischer with youth participants in the Winyan Toka Win Garden.
Courtesy photo.
Lakota elder Wakinyan Peta and the Wakinyan Maza drum group with participating youth.
Courtesy photo.
CRYP Gardener Dalton Fischer with youth participants.
Courtesy photo.
Children prepare to smudge to the four directions, with the Wakinyan Maza drum group at the center.
Courtesy photo.
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