pine ridge reservation

My trip to Pine Ridge Reservation was a spiritual journey, I wasn't sure what to expect, but after visiting, I have a greater understanding of the many sorrows experienced by Native Americans both past and present. Our journey began with a tour of Red Cloud Indian Mission School about 5 miles from Pine Ridge. The Mission school is fully supported by donations and contributions. It has an elementary school (K-12) as well as a high school. We were there during the first football game of the year. Our tour guides were three recent graduates who are now attending Stanford University on scholarships. This was a special bonus for us as they taught us much about the Lakota history and shared with us several Lakota stories. They were excellent tour guides, very bright young ladies who are shining examples of what the Mission school is all about - helping young boys and girls reach their potential and achieve their dreams.Be sure to also visit the Catholic Church which is designed in the form of a circle The interior is of native wood and the stained glass windows were designed by students. The art work is by local Native American artists - it is incredibly beautiful! Also, visit the Heritage Center which has unique gifts, jewelry, artwork and quilts made by local Native Americans.After visiting the mission school, we drove to Wounded Knee and to the Wounded Knee Memorial. The magnitude of the tragedy and sufferings the innocent women, children and men is overwhelming. It is more than the mind and soul can comprehend. A short walk to the burial mound across from the massacre site instills the gravity of such tragedy in one's heart. We could only begin to sense the unfathomable sadness that endures to this day. We drove back to Pine Ridge and realized there are only two restaurants there (both fast food.) So we thought we would go across the Nebraska boarder to see if we could find some place there to get a bite Once we crossed the boarder, we were in White Clay, Nebraska. We were shocked at what we saw. White Clay is where many of the Native Americans go to buy alcohol (the Reservation is a dry county.) I hear many of the stores sell alcohol illegally. I would not advise to go there during the late afternoon or at night. It is a very sad and dark place and also very dangerous.On the following day, we drove to Kyle which is where Lakota College is located. If you go, be sure and visit the College heritage center. They provide an exceptional audio of the Lakota history. We happened to be there for one of the Pow Wows sponsored by the College. The amazing costumes and incredible dances brightened our trip. This was a trip that I will never forget, and it will not be my last visit to Pine Ridge. The mission school there is in need of committed volunteers and paid employees to assist in giving back. My short visit there showed me what a love and caring to do for a people who have been neglected, discarded and persecuted over the years. We will never be able to take back the past, but we can look forward to the future and to the future of incredibly remarkable young men and women who deserve the best in life.

If you love nature scenes to photograph, visit Yellow Bear between Kyle & Allen; Gooseneck Rd. between hwy 33 & 27

The Reservation is mostly barren grazing land and extremely poor. We visited in June, the rainiest month of the year. Rainfall averages almost four inches out of the annual 16” so be prepared. My husband and I (70ish) decided to go on our own. If you object to taking long drives, take a tour (I recommend Black Hills Open Top Tours out of Rapid City). You'll get lots more information and less driving tedium. Pine Ridge is a sobering experience due to poverty, bleak landscape, high rate of alcoholism and limited education among natives. Economic development is almost nonexistent. I found it fascinating and the schools we visited inspiring.The roads are mostly narrow two-lane BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) that roll up and down with the hills. The further south we went (starting in Badlands NP), the hillier it got and the fewer rock formations we saw. We passed ‘towns’ with populations posted under 75 and only one tiny market before reaching Kyle less than 2 hours away.Kyle, population 846, was dusted pale brown in the face of strong winds, little vegetation and few paved roads. Much was dilapidated and poorly signed. Driving slowly we spotted a school and pulled in, a small one-story building before us. The sign read Oglala Lakota College. A workman escorted us inside and turned us over to Albert, the GED tutor for the school, who became our guide. Albert’s role was to help students prepare for the admissions test which is as rigorous as any GED and SAT test statewide.Currently the student body is ~140. There is no cafeteria and we heard there was one restaurant in town, not to our taste. Most students commute, typically taking one or two classes a week. The facility was small and furnished inexpensively but pride in the College was evident. We discovered later this was just one of 9 campuses the College has across the reservation.Oglala Lakota College headquarters was about five miles further west. This was a much nicer and larger campus with separate buildings for administration, library, bookstore, gym and Historical Center. Again, someone showed us around and answered questions.• 48% of students come from families below the poverty level. More than 75% meet low income guidelines• More than 70% are single parents; all need financial assistance to stay in school• 91% are first generation to attend college• 39% of entering freshman need some kind of remediation (thus Albert’s role)• 61% of the Oglala who complete the 8th grade never graduate high schoolClasses are given only at the 9 satellite campuses. All are taught in both English and the Lakota language in an effort to preserve Native values and culture. The hope is that through education, graduates will find jobs on the Reservation that improve the local economy and ultimately help rebuild the Lakota nation. Graduation rates are high, but so far the 80% unemployment rate on the reservation has not been dented. Total enrollment is 1500 of whom 93% are Native American.At the Historical Center we received an infusion of the tragic Native American experience, similar to the Wounded Knee Museum in the town of Wall, but this time with less objectivity. Very tough. It was followed by a video with the College President explaining school and student challenges and achievements. The film was well done and good PR.From Kyle we drove to Wounded Knee and the mass grave. The small grave site is fenced off atop a hill. More than 200 were slaughtered there in 1890 – unarmed men, women and children. Native Americans tie pieces of fabric, often with herb bundles, at the graves as prayer offerings. Several dozen strips in all colors fluttered in the wind. A couple of women were selling their crafts.The Subway restaurant that used to be in Kyle (not enough business) has relocated to Pine Ridge and it was the only restaurant we saw. But . . . they had chocolate ice cream.Our last stop was the Red Cloud Indian School, a private school for grades K-12. Founded in 1888, it is the premier school on the reservation with 98% high school graduation and most continuing on. Admission is based on academic ability. We had a guided tour given by former graduates, now at Universities off reservation, who work/volunteer there in the summers.The school, despite its Jesuit origin, is nondenominational. Students are bussed in daily, some up to 1¾ hours each way. Fees are minimal as donations cover most costs. Total enrollment in all grades is currently ~300 and competition fierce to get in.Red Cloud was a famous and highly respected 19th century Lakota leader. He is buried in a cemetery on a hilltop just behind the main school building. This is a community cemetery and again, there were many colorful strips blowing in the wind. Native American cemeteries are located on high places so the deceased may ascend more easily to the spirit world above.The drive back to Badlands was uneventful but very tedious. This was a very memorable day.

Pine Ridge is the largest of the reservations in SD. It is full of history, and I feel is a magical place. You have both grasslands along with badlands. The Black Hills (Paha Sapa) are beautiful and not to be missed.

a bleak but beautiful prairie site. You need not fear for your safety. The people here are honest and caring. Combine your trip with readings about the history of the Sioux nation, and the Wounded Knee massacre. And do what you can to help the Native American people who were treated so shamefully by the US government.

A lot of history within the boarders of Pine Ridge. After entering it seems as though you've entered another country, which you have. It does not resemble any other place in the country, except for some other reservations. Barren, raw, harsh all describe Pine Ridge but also contributes to it's beauty. Everybody I have met have been welcoming and friendly. I had a South Dakota resident tell me at a rest stop on I-90 that I should stay away from Pine Ridge when I told him that was my destination. He told me whites shouldn't go there and that the people on the reservation don't want us there. I found no evidence of that in my two visits there. If you want to see what life is like for some of this country's Native Americans and you don't need 4 star hotels, travel plazas with 20 styles of fountain pop and fast food restaurants then I highly recommend spending some time here. It will stay with you.

The only way to appreciate Pine Ridge rez is to see it through the eyes of people who live there. Being from the UK we have had limited opportunities to make friends, but we are friends with two families with whom we have shared meals and a lot of gossip. Word gets round if you don't want to see sun dances. It is safe. Apart from drunk drivers - and we have plenty of them in UK! The wacipi (powwows) ban alcohol and fire arms.

I think that every tourist must visit this place; the poorest area in the US. The reminder of the AWFUL genocide. The proof of modern abuse and violation of Native Americans' rights. Personally for me this was a shock to see the living conditions of American Indians, to discover the facts about terrible schools for Aboriginals, forced assimilation and real holocaust. Despite the horrible past and very low living standards of nowadays, the Lakota Nation are still proud, beautiful and welcoming people. I was very happy to see the revival of their traditions, spirituality and even language. Besides, many Native rights activists, not only great Chiefs of the past, were born there. Definitely, this place is a must-see. In my personal opinion, Natives are the most attractive thing in the US, so if you are fascinated by their culture too, try to visit a powwow at Pine Ridge.

The land is beautiful, but the despair of the region is palpable. We went to the Wounded Knee Massacre site and were glad we did just to connect to this horrific tragedy. Travelers should see the area in order to be outraged by what this nation has done to Native American culture.

The reservation has wonderful rugged vistas, but it is hard to miss the poverty that reigns here. Wounded Knee should be visited. The people we met were very open and welcoming.

There is great beauty in the land and the people of the Pine Ridge Reservation. And much to learn about too.

We visited Pine Ridge Resrvation to see the people our foundation is aiding. Since we'ld never been there before, we really took our time getting to know the people and the area.The landscape is simply stunning, with naturally the Badlands as a culmination.We stayed in the Singing horse Trading Post near Manderson, so in the middle of the reservation.The people are very friendly and open, we had a lot of great talks. All you have to do is sit or be somewhere, and within no time you'll have company.Naturally we visited Wounded Knee.As chance would have it, there were two fantastic wacipi while we were there. a wacipi is a powwow with a harvest festival theme. one was at the Lakota College, near Kyle, the second and bigger one a bit down the road near Potato Creek. We were two of the rare non-native visitors, and we were made very welcome.Do visit Pine Ridge Reservation, and look with an open mind. Yes, there is poverty and misery, but there are also proud people busy working on a future of the people.There are no regular stores inside the reservation, only in the town of Pine Ridge itself, and even then limited. At various places inside are convenience stores, like in Manderson, sharpe's Corner and Kyle.We felt honored to get to know the Oglala Lakota better.

Lack of services and the knowledge that you just don't belong there (for good reason). It is safe during the day, but we were told not to be on the reservation at night. The Wounded Knee Massacre is about the only reason to be on the Pine Ridge reservation, so don't think you can just "hang out."

Do it! get off the freeway and go spend some US dollars in a foreign land called Pine Ridge Reservation. To me this is the real west. I grew up near reservations in WI that had casinos and fancy gas stations, high end trading posts and themed waysides. You will find none of that in Pine Ridge. This land is off the freeway and does not have any theme parks or casinos but you will find some quaint espresso stands, amazing indian tacos, artistic well read poets, cowboys, poverty, teenagers listening to hip-hop selling snow cones our of their home. Pine Ridge is real with real people. Bring cash and spend it here. The people you meet may become lasting friends for the rest of your life.

Be ready for an adventure, this is an eye opening trip and if you get the chance stop at the Red Cloud School in Pine Ridge and visit their cemetery as well. I would recommend you travel this area only during the day.