For the Future: The Children and Youth at Standing Rock

American Indian Airwaves

Indigenous peoples have experienced tremendous amounts of trauma since the colonization of North America by the United States and earlier colonial forces. Historical trauma spans generations and has created widespread adverse effects such as substance abuse, breakdown of traditional values, depression, internalized oppression, high suicide rates, and post-traumatic stress, and other various forms of genocides. The Standing Rock Sioux Nation (North and South Dakota), its citizens, and children, are not immune to the settler colonial violence and the challenges and obstacles presents. Currently at Standing Rock, no entity provides Lakota youth a space to socialize, access and learn culture, feel safe, access high-speed broadband and educational sources, participate in mentorship programs, speak with elders, be provided basic food and necessities, plus an array of other “sources”. Today’s guests discuss their work in the creation and purpose of the Niyakhe Yuza Teen Center for the future generations of the children and youth at Standing Rock. With a variety of different kinds of support, the goal through the center is to provide young people a space for empowering themselves through greater identification with Lakota/Dakota culture. Niyakhe Yuza Teen Center will also offer services such as language training, sweat lodge, field trips to sacred sites, job training, healthy food, tutoring, and multimedia skill development to name just a few. Financial support for the Niyakhe Yuza Teen Center can be sent to the Lakota Peoples Law Project, 547 South 7th Street #149, Bismarck, ND 58504-5859 and Hoksila White Mountain can be reached at: [e-mail] Guests: Hoksila White Mountain (Standing Rock tribal citizen), creator and executive director of the Niyakhe Yuza Teen Center and Daniel Paul Nelson, Co-Project Coordinator of the Lakota Peoples Law Project. American Indian Airwaves regularly broadcast Thursdays from 7pm to 8pm (PCT) on KPFK FM 90.7 in Los Angeles, CA; FM 98.7 in Santa Barbara, CA; FM 99.5 in China Lake, CA; FM 93.7 in North San Diego, CA; FM 99.1 KLBP in Long Beach, CA (Thursdays 5pm-6pm); and WCRS FM 98.3/102.1 in Columbus, OH. Click here for archived American Indian Airwaves programs on the KPFK website within the past 60-days only or click on (below) after 8pm for today’s scheduled program. Soundcloud Apple Podcast Google Podcast iHeartRadio Spotify Podcast Stitcher Podcast Tunein Podcast