February Partner Highlight: Cheyenne River Youth Project
In case you missed it—last month’s partner highlight in our newsletter was dedicated to Cheyenne River Youth Project, a cutting edge leader in Native youth programming and Indigenous creative placemaking. Check out more about their incredible work below!
Since 1988, The Cheyenne River Youth Project (CRYP) has been serving Lakota youth and community members on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. As a Native, woman-led nonprofit organization based in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, their work is grounded in Lakota culture and centered on building strong futures for Lakota youth through innovative, holistic programming that addresses the enduring impacts of intergenerational trauma and colonization in Native communities. Their mission is to give Lakota youth and families access to the culturally relevant, enriching, and enduring opportunities they need to build stronger, healthier communities and a more vibrant future.
Their story began as a small volunteer-run youth center on Eagle Butte’s Main Street. Affectionately called “The Main,” the center was a safe space for children to come after school, offering arts and crafts, intramural sports, volunteer mentorship, and a healthy meal and snack. The center became a vital part of the Cheyenne River community, filling to capacity each day. More than three decades later, CRYP has grown into one of the leading models for Native youth programming, creative placemaking and cultural reclamation.
Today, CRYP’s programming is hosted at The Main Youth Center for ages 4-12 and the Cokata Wiconi (Center of Life) Teen Center for ages 13-18. Their Lakota creative placemaking is anchored in the Keya Gift Shop & E-Store, the 3+ acre Winyan Toka Win (Leading Lady) Garden, and the Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count) Arts & Culture Institute & Art Park. Their innovative programming to promote community healing focuses on leadership, food sovereignty, workforce development, Native wellness, and arts & culture.
Experiential learning is at the heart of CRYP’s work restoring connections between Native youth, land, and community. In early 2024, they purchased 39 acres of land near the base of Mato Paha (Bear Butte), a sacred site for the Lakota Nation, the Oceti Sakowin, located in the Black Hills. The Mato Paha property is a significant cultural investment, providing CRYP with a space where they can conduct culturally relevant programming and be a model of traditional land stewardship. Last year, they also celebrated a nearly 10,000-pound harvest from their Winyan Toka Win Garden, and the first harvest of their Wičháyažipa Othí Wín Wičháyažipa Čhanhánpi (Honeycomb Woman) honey – which is now being sold through the Keya Gift Shop!
Every step of the way, CRYP has brought their young people with them. Thanks to their work, generations of Lakota youth are learning how to lead, serve their community, and improve their health and wellness – all while revitalizing their connections to their cultures, traditions, and lifeways.
“In Lakota culture, children are sacred. Our work is grounded in the idea that we must provide safe spaces for them to learn, play, and express themselves in positive, healthy ways; and also provide access to cultural resources such as traditional values, language, arts and cultural practices, ceremonies, instructors, and mentors…
Throughout our 35-year history, we have always listened to our kids and let them guide us. They are our mentors and teachers, and they have brought CRYP to where it is today.”