Sports

Things are getting more exciting now as volleyball/ football season are winding down and basketball season is starting up. But before basketball, our volleyball team is going into districts in 1^st chair which basically means we have the best season record in the district. I really hope we make it to state again.  We have gone in the past and got 4^th.  Hopefully this year we do the same or better.  Either way we are proud of them for being #1.

In football I believe we are 2^nd or 3^rd.   Just last night we hosted a playoff game here and won. It was truly one of our most intense games yet. Now next week we travel to a team who is roughly 4 hours away from us. I don’t know how we have done in state before but hopefully we go all the way. I’m truly proud to be a Tiger.

Reaction to Windmill Guy

Well first off it’s amazing how this guy made this windmill just by looking at the picture. I wouldn’t know how to even comprehend what half the things in the picture are supposed to be. With barely any schooling and without instructions to help him, this guy manages to generate electricity.

Smart people like that will lead us into either enormous revolution or a rebellion. Rebellion, because wars could get deadlier and higher prices on life essentials could also cause riots. Or revolution, in our technology for tomorrow. If the whole world is on the same page, in technology, who knows what peace or new lifestyle we can create.

We visually have two roads to follow towards the future. American and the rest of the world just has to choose the right one.

If we had people like that down here I bet our tiny world, called the rez, would be a whole lot better. That’s my reaction to the magnificent “Windmill guy” <3 PikaChu

If we had national attention

If we could get national attention for problems here I think we would use it to help kids stay in school. That is definitely a problem in my opinion. We have a lot of kids who are constantly late or not even here. If you’re not at school, you can’t learn the lesson. Possibly helping to make homes more stable for kids some of my 14 year old friends basically raise their younger siblings who are most of the time not even out of diapers yet. So maybe some new cheaper daycare on the reservations so the kids don’t have to go home and watch the baby.

I think we could also use some help getting rid of drugs.  There have been quite a few of my classmates who were super nice… when they were sober but now when they are drunk or high they simply don’t show up to school, volleyball , basket ball, or football games. It really is sad because most of these kids could be straight A students but their attendance is so poor they can’t move on to the next grade.

Response to 'windmill' Prompt

Ways that we could help change things for future generations? Well, as a older figure for a lot of young children I could be a good role model. Little kids are like the saying "Monkey see, Monkey do." It's human nature. We do as we see weather it be good or bad. So many of the times I see it happen in the bad. I work with kids from the ages 1-7 on a daily bases, they often say they want to be like me when they grow up! It's hard for me to take in that kids want to be like me! I am only 15, so being the person they want to be like it's a high demand I be the good kid and show them that's what to do.
The guy in the video took the time and effort, he made a dream into a reality. Changing the future is possible with every action, every word spoken, and every dream created. It just depends on how bad you want it. How hard you work. Changing things for future generations isn't as hard as people make it look. Just smile, say please and thank-you, and do what you're told. It's a start, a mighty fine start. And kids are out future, so starting with them is a golden source.
"The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do." Are you crazy enough?

Response to Children of The Plains

I didn't know how to react at first. I mean, I live a sheltered life. I have never had to go through any thing the kids in the video did. I had my moments when watching the video I wanted to break down and cry. But then again, I wanted to help them. Even though I don't know how. Sometimes we all see things we wish we could help. But we cant. So, things we want to do become, we wish we would have.
When I first heard of 20/20 doing this my first thought was they are going to make it seem like the reservations are bad and do what most programs do when the cover stories around reservations. It shocked me they actually took the time to search for the good. The reservations might not be perfect, but they offer so many talented kids. People often don't see that. They see the troubles and hardship, It doesn't always take a lot to see the light that can shine in a child's hard life. I mean the video featured a lot of sad, but it also showed the dreams and aspirations that the kids had. They made the best of what they had.
It reminds you that not everyone has the life of material things. People will always have it worse then what you think. They smile with what they have, not with what they want.

Prompt

I had the students watch this video and we discussed ways that they could help change things for future generations.  The students then posted their thoughts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arD374MFk4w

response to children of the plains

I thought that Children of the Plains thing on 20/20 seemed ... Okay. It got most of the stuff right, but there were cameras there & most of the bad people possibly change because of the fame of actually being on T.V. to make themselves look good.I mean its good they changed entirely. But you never know. 

As for me, I live with 11 people in a 5 bedroom house. I also live close to the area so I know how it is to live in those conditions. It gets better if you’re lucky, but if you’re not lucky, it turns out to be the same thing (Bad/good) every single day for the rest of your life.

I got teary-eyed when the little girl lost her dad. And she doesn’t know what’s going on because she can’t feel true sadness yet because she’s so young. Also the other little girl tried to commit suicide (she’s as old as my little brother!!) it just makes me think. She’s so young but knows so much already.

Most of the houses I see look like all of the ones in the video. Some of my best friends live in worse conditions than the video displays. And I know somebody that lives in a 2 bedroom house with 6 people living together. I know what you’re thinking. How can somebody live like that? Why can’t they get a job? How can they live without privacy? Ok, one they try to survive. Two, tell us were we can get jobs cause there isn’t any down here for people with our education. Three, that’s a thing u have to give up if you want to survive or at least cope with everything.

There are many things in that video the hit the nail. But there are always missing pieces. Like a movie to the book it originated from. Well that’s my post.

My Response to Suicide...

Suicide is a huge problem on the reservation, and as long as I can remember it always has been. I could have lost some of my closest friends and relatives due to suicide. I always wanted to know why they tried it, but then again I didnt want to know. Just thinking about it makes all those feelings of saddness, anger, confusion and the pain I felt all come back to me. 


I remember when i was in middle school, it was a tuesday afternoon. When I got out of school my parents were waiting for me in the parking lot. I could tell something was wrong. My mom said that she had something to tell me, she said that my cousin hung himself that day. I was in shock and I was in denial. I didn't want to believe that my cousin had done that to himself. Everytime I think of him, all I remeber is how happy of a person he was, how he could be having the worst day but still manage to make you smile. And thats how I always going to remember him.


Everyone has their own opinion about suicide. but it can affect everyone's life the same way.

Response to Suicide

Suicide is a big worry for me...not so much me, but my friends. About 2 years ago, I lost a good friend from when I was younger. I hadn’t seen him for about 5 years but still just hearing about his death brought a tear to my eye. I didn’t know him very well but he was still someone from my past. It is sad that I had forgotten about him until that suddenly dark summer day when his uncle stopped by our house delivering the tragic, unexpected news of our late friend's passing.

What scares me the most is he was the same age I am now and all that’s left of him are photos and footprints.

Just recently I had a friend who was very close to me tell me on a seemingly dark Thursday morning that he was going to kill himself that Friday if things didn’t change by then.  I tried to talk him out of it he didn’t want to listen to me. So I went to my next class crying and my friend asked what was wrong so I told her and she insisted she take me to see his guardian who is a school teacher. From there she took me to talk to the principle and he told me to talk to the counselor. Then I didn’t see him for the rest of the day.  He went to talk to some suicide prevention people who must have convinced him not to for he is still among us. But the worry will always remain.

My reaction to suicide :)

Hmmm… suicide. Well I’ve seen it, heard it and I try to cope with it. I’m from the rez; it’s a common as gangs. Most of the suicides I see are because of love or rape. (In the death letters)

Just last month I went to two funerals, both of suicide, and both very young (16 and 20 years old). One was my cousin. The other was my best-friends ex-boyfriend. It’s always sad and hurtful even if you didn’t know them as well. But I never ask myself “why?” because it’s only in respect for the deceased to let it be and hurt inside.

I never knew my friend (at my cousin’s funeral) could cry so sadly. He has grown up a lot since then. My best friend was destroyed when she found out about her ex. I knew she burned inside, but she was strong and hid it inside. But I’ve seen losses and I’ve had a few, I’m proud of her strength.

There’s nothing on this reservation, nothing to live for. I think most young people are scared that they will fail in life, so they have the urge to take their life. That’s only my theory. I can’t speak for everyone here.

Me myself I wouldn’t try to commit (my life in general sucks but...) I can’t stand with even the thought of not existing. (0.0)It’s frightening to be thought of as nothing. Even not as human at the very least. And too many on the verge of suicide and are depending on me to help them walk it out.

As far as I can tell one death turns into another. Some people just can’t live without certain family members. I feel for those in hard times. I help, at times, with advice and comforting companionship. But you can’t talk everyone out of it.

“The old are getting older and watch the young men die.” Hollywood Undead. That quote really spoke to me. This world is changing and suicides just a fact in life. To everyone who’s on “the edge”. Everyone’s life isn’t perfect. Were all messed up in a way and even the perfect & popular people :/ have issues at home & their social lives. So be happy and live life to the max. Who cares what others say? Woo hoo J

I think I want to kill myself...:)

Suicide Article

I had the students read this article and we discussed it for some time.  I asked them to write their thoughts on the situation and what, if anything, can make it better.

Here is the original article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/09/us/09suicide.html

Opinions on Columbus/Native American Day

What Columbus/Native American Day means to me? Well, it could mean a lot of things. But I’m not really sure on what it means in general, let alone my own opinion. I have heard so many different stories and versions of “What really happened” True or false, but personally to me it’s most likely a day to try and figure out what happened and my opinions on it I guess.

For starters, most people know it as Columbus Day, not usually Native American Day. If a person knew what exactly they wanted to call this one day, I’d most likely understand just a bit more to it. Second, can someone know what something means to them if they’ve never been taught the real meaning? I mean say someone wasn’t taught about Thanksgiving for example. Would they know what to be thankful for? They wouldn’t understand what we were celebrating. Third, would it be right to just say the same thing the last person said, hoping you’ll understand what they meant? It’s like a mystery book that never gets solved. It searches and searches but in the end it’s left unfinished. You need to understand the point you coming from so you can solve you mystery. If you don’t know what point you started, It won’t make any sense.

So Columbus/Native American Day means to me, that in all honesty I should read, and do a bit of research to learn more about it.

Response to Native American Day

To me Columbus Day/ Native American day is a way to remember all of the Native Americans who died or were killed in the 1400-1500s.

I don’t believe it was at all fair to enslave the Natives, considering all they did for the new travelers. They supplied food for the travelers and took care of them. They weren’t bothering anyone all they were doing was trying to survive.  The Natives didn’t go looking for fights but got pulled into them all they did was traded goods and supplied food.

So I don’t think Christopher Columbus should have his own day in the US. Native American Day should be the one on the calendar.

my reflection on colombus day

Columbus Day should be abolished or be nationally known as Native American day. Columbus was a very cruel man, going to a land that of which he did not own. He slaughtered and captured innocent people. It should just be Native American day nothing else. It shouldn't be a holiday if not called Native American day.

They have black history month. So let us have at the very least a day. The rest of the holidays are for everyone. So let us have a day to call our own.

And that is my reflection on Columbus Day.

People always have some different story about how Native Americans live. Some often ask some weird questions, like “Do Native Americans still live in Tipi’s?” No we do not live I tipi’s, we live in houses just like the rest of you.

Being a Native American woman, I realize that my people have to deal with racism throughout our lives. It isn’t easy not letting it get go and not getting upset, but it's life. There isn’t much you could do about it, because people are going to say whatever they want to say. I was always taught to stick up for myself and my family and for what I believe in.

I’m glad I have people in my life like my friends and family. Family is very important in Lakota culture. You learn to protect each other, defend each other and respect each other. We learn stuff about our culture from our grandparents and our parents. That way we can grow up and teach our children and the can teach their children.

Introduction: Epic Moo Pikachu

Hello my name is Epic Moo Pikachu. I am from the rez. (A.K.A Rosebud Native American Reservation) I am freshman that lives in Norris, South Dakota. I attend White River High School. Calm down I know this is a lot to take in but, you’ll get used to it J

I am a female, Native American, fifteen year old. My family and I are very traditional in most of what we do. No, we don’t still live in tipis like most of you out there think K(Huge stereo-type)

I have 10 cousins I currently live with, all boys. I also have two little brothers who are greatly annoying. That’s not all of my family on one side I have 201 cousins\nieces or nephews. Too many of whom I don’t know the names.

But anyway beyond that I love the arts. I have full respect for any shape or form of art. Whether it be: music, paintings, pictures, dance, or tradition. Me I enjoy mostly everything I put down. (I’m a huge rock\metal\alternative fan in music)

Okay ima wrap this up on “I am a very strange person and, I hope you will like my blog entries. I’m a very real person and sadly I tell it like it is. I don’t like to sugar coat it” Epic Moo Pikachu OUT!! JJJ

Introduction

I’m a 14 year old girl from White River population 500 (on a good day). My friends here are mostly Native American. But not me. Although I am different I have been accepted by most of the people. I have many friends of many different colors. People from other places sometimes have a hard time understanding how people from small towns like White River. When my aunt and uncle come down from Kansas City they always want to pay with their credit card. We have a small grocery store with 5 asiles in the whole store, a post office, drugstore, and a clinic. We also have 2 restaurants which one also is a casino and there is also a motel the Thoroughbred it has 12 rooms.It is hard for them to understand we don’t have expensive homes or even a Wal-Mart. We are used to it though.I hate it when people stereotype others. We have a lot of Native American culture here and a lot of people think that natives all do drugs, all get in trouble, and none can be trusted. I know that while there are drugs in this community there are still most people who don’t do drugs and fight against them.I am not Native and I go to a school were there is mostly Native Americans some of them are my closest friends. My best friend in the whole world is a Native American and she is the best friend a girl could ask for and she even speaks against drinking and suicide. So even though there isn’t much to do around here I still have a lot of fun and I would like to find a town similar to this for my kids to grow up in.

I’m Jojo, A 15 year old freshmen from White River. White River is a small town in the middle of no where. Everyone knows everyone and news always travels fast. It's your average tiny town that only populates 500 people. We have small communities like places that have around 90-100 people to the most in them, it's a rough guess. Yet, still part of White River… There isn’t much to say about White River considering I grew up here. My entire life all I have ever known is White River and how boring it can get. It has its moments, yeah sure I’ll give it that. I mean you can only bring sports and get togethers up in a story so many times. People who visit say nice things about how beautiful it is, and how nice the people are. But I grew up here, I am used to the scenery, to me it is more then often the same. It gets old. The people are nice, I guess I can say we tend to gravitate tward the bright side of the tunnel. Although, again being one who spent virtually my entire life here I am used to it. Say, If you sent a city kid here, they would probably die from the lack of everything. We have what we need and more. But there are no Malls, or Wal-Mart’s. We have one grocery store, two small gas stations, and a coffee shop/convenient store type thing. We don't even have a stop light! If you were to go down Main Street if you blinked you would miss it. We have a motel, but people often do stay there. But I only say a lot of this because if you were to dive through White River, my best guess you wouldn’t exactly pick it to be your first choice. It’s not that bad. I like it, its quiet, not too many people are here. We can go out not having the fear a lot of people in big cities have with crime and the overcrowded streets. We do have our crime and trouble, what town doesn’t? But we are a lot better then most. So with all that, we are pretty ok. It isn't a bad place to grow up. It's actualy a really nice place to grow up. There are so many points I could mention, to many to type. White River is better than most people give it credit for, I guess I'm just on of them.