Ṡuƞkṭáƞka Wic̣ayuhapi (They Care for the Horse) Program
Haƞ/Hau Mitakuyepi (Hello my relatives),
Yahípi kiƞ waṡte k’a Wopida Taƞka ec̣iciyapi!
It’s good that you are here and thank you for visiting our Ṡuƞkṭáƞka horse program site. It means a lot to have people interested in what we do and what our youth are up to. Here is a little about our program:
Sunktanka began in 2002 as a community-based after-school and summer enrichment project for Native youth, particularly girls, in the Redwood Falls area. Its mission is "to nurture the vision and potential of Native youth through academic enrichment, leadership development and the Dakota horse tradition". Over the years, the local school district, tribal and local service providers formed a unique cross-cultural partnership that continues today.
In 2010, Sunktanka and Dakota Wicohan joined together to foster youth cultural enrichment through Dakota language and lifeways, as well as building greater cross-cultural understanding.
The wide array of horse-based, cultural and academic enrichment activities have allowed youth to recognize the challenges they face, their own potential and identify their own strategies for future success. Sunktanka activities have included:
· 4H Club Affiliation
· Horse Shows, Fun Shows and Family Fun Days
· Horse Camps-summer and after-school.
· Leadership development opportunities
· Horse culture and Dakota language based on Dakota lifeways and traditions
· Academic support and mentoring
· Cultural arts
· Dakota history and commemorative activities
· Cross-cultural teaching and performances
The horse is a powerful teacher. The youth relationship with the horse is at the heart of the program, and provides a unique opportunity to reach and teach young people. The approach is distinct and our four legged instructors are powerful messengers. It is through teaching Wo'Dakota (Dakota values) to the youth through the horse that we are able to connect the youth with their culture. By learning these values the youth are learning the way of life that their ancestors lived by. The Dakota values that we teach consist of:
-Wacantohnakapi – Generosity
-Woksape- Wisdom
-Wo’ohitike- Courage
-Wo-wacintanka- Patience
-Wocantohnake- Compassion
-Wokagi- Respect
-Waihakta- Humility
We also teach life lessons through the horses such as:
- Iauƞspe - Communication
- Bdihecaka - To be a hard worker
- Wauƞṡida - Compassion
- Wawokiya - To be helpful
Through all these, youth learn self-awareness, self-confidence, a sense of competency and mastery, but more importantly, they learn responsibility for oneself, for one’s family and one’s community. Mending the Hoop through the Horse Nation (Sunktanka Oyate) is the underpinning of the Sunktanka mission and intent.
Pidauƞyayapi ( We thank you all!)
Haƞ/Hau Mitakuyepi (Hello my relatives),
Yahípi kiƞ waṡte k’a Wopida Taƞka ec̣iciyapi!
It’s good that you are here and thank you for visiting our Ṡuƞkṭáƞka horse program site. It means a lot to have people interested in what we do and what our youth are up to. Here is a little about our program:
Sunktanka began in 2002 as a community-based after-school and summer enrichment project for Native youth, particularly girls, in the Redwood Falls area. Its mission is "to nurture the vision and potential of Native youth through academic enrichment, leadership development and the Dakota horse tradition". Over the years, the local school district, tribal and local service providers formed a unique cross-cultural partnership that continues today.
In 2010, Sunktanka and Dakota Wicohan joined together to foster youth cultural enrichment through Dakota language and lifeways, as well as building greater cross-cultural understanding.
The wide array of horse-based, cultural and academic enrichment activities have allowed youth to recognize the challenges they face, their own potential and identify their own strategies for future success. Sunktanka activities have included:
· 4H Club Affiliation
· Horse Shows, Fun Shows and Family Fun Days
· Horse Camps-summer and after-school.
· Leadership development opportunities
· Horse culture and Dakota language based on Dakota lifeways and traditions
· Academic support and mentoring
· Cultural arts
· Dakota history and commemorative activities
· Cross-cultural teaching and performances
The horse is a powerful teacher. The youth relationship with the horse is at the heart of the program, and provides a unique opportunity to reach and teach young people. The approach is distinct and our four legged instructors are powerful messengers. It is through teaching Wo'Dakota (Dakota values) to the youth through the horse that we are able to connect the youth with their culture. By learning these values the youth are learning the way of life that their ancestors lived by. The Dakota values that we teach consist of:
-Wacantohnakapi – Generosity
-Woksape- Wisdom
-Wo’ohitike- Courage
-Wo-wacintanka- Patience
-Wocantohnake- Compassion
-Wokagi- Respect
-Waihakta- Humility
We also teach life lessons through the horses such as:
- Iauƞspe - Communication
- Bdihecaka - To be a hard worker
- Wauƞṡida - Compassion
- Wawokiya - To be helpful
Through all these, youth learn self-awareness, self-confidence, a sense of competency and mastery, but more importantly, they learn responsibility for oneself, for one’s family and one’s community. Mending the Hoop through the Horse Nation (Sunktanka Oyate) is the underpinning of the Sunktanka mission and intent.
Pidauƞyayapi ( We thank you all!)
