Horses help change a young life

Back in January we shared a letter we received from Mona Brave about her 13 year old nephew, to whom she is mom, and how the Big Foot Ride helped to change the path of his life.

Since that time, her nephew has completed a treatment program dealing with his symptoms resulting from fetal alcohol syndrome and Post Traumatic Stress caused by an experience described by Mona below. Recently he was honored for his fortitude and bravery during the ride and for his accomplishments in completing the treatment program. Below is Mona's speech presented at the time of his honoring and photos of Mona and her nephew and the star quilt he received for his accomplishments.


Cyrus with Mom Mona and Grandmother Annabelle Between Lodges


We would especially like to express our appreciation to Mona for sharing these family stories.

MONA'S SPEECH AT THE ONTRAC CONFERENCE
FRIDAY APRIL 3, 2009

I am the mother of six beautiful children: one biological son, Derek (26), one adopted son JD (16); and three nephews, Cyrus (13); Dylan (11); Yamni (8); and one niece, Shannae (10). I currently reside in Oglala with my tiwahe. I am employed as the OST Benefits Coordinator.

My brother raised his four children for several years as a single parent. He may have an alcohol problem but he made sure his children's education came first and always ensured they were in school everyday. For a single parent he tried his best and for that I commend him for all his efforts to care for and love his children. In May 2004, the children's mother came into their lives and kidnapped them from school. She knowingly took them when she was homeless and did not have a safe home for them. She took them to Sioux Falls to a homeless shelter where they were eventually placed in a foster home after the police officers noticed that they were in a park all day without adult supervision. They stayed in a foster home while my mother and I tried to get them back. It was frustrating at times, as it seemed we ran into a lot of red tape but we learned that that goes with the territory. I commend my mother for her diligence in not giving up.

We obtained a court order to get the children back. It took four months to complete the process but had it not been for the staff of ONTRAC it may have taken longer. I appreciate their help and their commitment in seeing that the children are home with us. I am my brother's sister and in true Lakota tradition I am their mother and I can truly say that I am proud to be their mother. I have raised them for the past three years.

I believe it was my destiny to have the children a part of our lives and to be the mother to them. It is my responsibility to see that the children have a safe and loving home where neither drugs nor alcohol are any longer a part of their lives. This is the first time in their lives they had a stable home where they don't have to worry about anything and where they can feel safe and know that there is someone there for them at all time.

It hasn't been an easy journey. We have made a lot of adjustments in our life. It has been a struggle getting them the help they so desperately needed. I have learned and continue to learn on a daily basis a great deal about dealing with children with post traumatic stress disorder; about fetal alcohol syndrome and about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. I went through a period of anger with their parents as I blamed them for these symptoms and I myself have received counseling. I blamed their mother for two of them having fetal alcohol syndrome and knowing that they have to live with this for the rest of their lives. I have since learned to deal with this anger and to pray for their mother and father. I know in my heart that the children will be with me for a lifetime and I am going to see them through the successes in their lives.

We, as a family, participate in the Wakanyeja Pawiciyapi program where all the healing is geared towards the traditional ways of our people so in addition to healing we are also learning our Lakota traditions. We participate in the sweats and ceremonies and the many activities they provide. I am thankful to the personnel within that program and the efforts that they put forth in helping us heal together. It has had a profound effect on us as we have begun the healing process and we still have a long way to go, as it is an everyday endeavor.

Yes, as a mother, I can proudly say our family has re-claimed our children. It is truly amazing being a parent to six children and it makes me proud to say "Yes" these are my children. I am proud of their accomplishments and for always trying their best in all that they do. I love them all so much and my dream and prayers are for them to lead successful and productive lives and I will be with them every step of the way.

There are numerous people I want to thank for helping me whether it is emotional support or physical support and they are:

My mother - thanks for always being there for me and for encouraging me never to give up when times get hard.
My father - who loves having the children at his home.
Troy Briggs - my friend who always bluntly tells me how it is and lifts me up when I am having a bad day.
Ramona White Plume - who always encourages me and my family.
Rick Two Dogs - for the many prayers and help he has offered our family.
Jeri Baker - who always supports our family's endeavors and is always so encouraging.
JD Brave - my teenager, who is so understanding and who never hesitates to help me.
Joyce Whiting - who is my counselor and always has the right words.
Carol Binnington - for being so supportive.
Nicole Jette - for helping our whole family and being so supportive.
Derek Yellow Cloud - for helping to watch the kids.
Filmore He Crow - for being patient and understanding of me and the children.
Juanita Scherich - for her tireless work in seeing that children, including mine, are home with families.
Valarie Janis - for her endless hours of working with children.

Mitakuye Oyasin

Horses Help the Children, So Can You

Horses have a well-documented role in reaching troubled and challenged kids, giving them simultaneously freedom and a bond of camaraderie in return for responsibility and kindness.

ONE Spirit encourages and supports Lakota Sioux programs involving kids and horses. The Big Foot Ride just completed is an example of this. Please consider helping ONE Spirit make participation in events like this possible for more kids.

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The following thoughts from Mona Brave, whose nephew completed this ride, speak to the critical need for these kinds of programs.

"During the week of December 22nd through December 29th, 2008, our family had the awesome experience of participating in the Si Tanka Wookiksuye. My nephew, Cyrus participated in the ride and we supported him throughout the ride in hopes that things will begin to change for him. He has experienced a lot in his thirteen years and our prayers as well as his were to not only pray for all our relatives but to pray for him as well. As many people know, alcoholism, drugs, social problems from these issues are rampant across the reservation. The problems associated with a mother who drinks while pregnant has a lifetime effect on a child. It has been my experience to try to deal with these effects and it has been a real struggle. It makes me wonder just how many of our sacred children across the reservation are experiencing these effects and who is helping them if even they are getting help. We have gone through traditional ceremonies and counseling sessions and it is an everyday struggle to try to cope and to try to understand not only for my nephew but also for our family as it has affected the entire dynamics of the circle of life. It is our hope to combat these issues even if it is to make an impact on one person and that is my prayer for my nephew. Cyrus loves riding horses and had a great experience while on the Big Foot Ride. He said he was anxious everyday to ride and to feel free. He met a lot of different people and had a chance see the “world” in a new perspective. I strongly believe that equine therapy will be a new avenue of seeking help he so desperately needs. The belief of our people is that we are one with the winged, the four legged, the plants and so it is with this in mind that I want for Cyrus as well as other children throughout the reservation to be able to experience this oneness. It is my prayer that children throughout the reservation get help for issues they are dealing with and go back to our traditional ways of life. My prayers to friends and relatives, near and far."

The Ride

Greetings from the land of our Honorable Chiefs Crazy Horse, Big Foot, Sitting Bull, and all who have gone before us. Winter is upon us…the beauty of white crisp snow and brisk fresh air it brings renews my spirit. I pray for our elderly who have an enormous amount of knowledge and pray our generation and our younger generations learn from their teachings.

The Si Tanka Wokiksuye (Big Foot Ride) is happening this week. I took my nephew to participate in the Ride. The journey our relatives are taking is in remembrance and honor of those who followed the same path. My nephew has really struggled the past few years and he is on this journey to pray not only for himself and all his relatives but to feel the spiritual connection between himself and tasunka (horse) as they will ride as one. Cyrus loves horses and he said when he rides it makes him feel free and feel good about himself, that is a real plus considering the issues he deals with especially for child his age. The everyday struggles with alcoholism and drug use is overwhelming for a 13 year old. My prayers are with our people as they make this journey.

Mitakuye Oyasin.

Mona Brave