Leaving the Rez

When I left you last, I'd described my eventful journey out to the Cheyenne River Youth Project in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. What did I do out there?

We spent the time from arrival until Christmas Eve 'picking and wrapping'. Picking involves reading the Dear Santa letters sent in by kids who participate in the CRYP's after-school kids and youth programs (it is these programs that the other volunteers staff during normal business weeks, such as Andy did earlier in 2008). The kids write a little bit about their year, how they've been doing at school and why they deserve their presents. Then they have space to list a few items they'd really like for Christmas.

Most of the letters are identical to what one would read anywhere in the developed world (can I have an Xbox, a Bratz doll, a basketball). But the odd one was truly heartbreaking: stories of obvious poverty and young children prematurely aware of the difficulties of life on the Rez, such as those that wish only for more blankets and clothes. After a few moments of quiet contemplation at your own fortunate situation you get back under control and back to work, picking out four or so presents for each kid, and then putting them in a garbage sack. Then the sacks go into a box labeled for the family, and then wrappers come pick up a box at a time. The system really was quite a marvel to behold.

The 23rd was a loooong day...16 hours of wrapping. After coming in with very few wrapping skillz, I emerged as somewhat of an expert, sought throughout the center to consult on difficult objects such as skateboards and toy lawnmowers. Over the day the speed picked up about two-fold without a noticeable drop in quality which was good.

The real warm fuzzies came on Christmas Eve when I was selected for Santa duty, no doubt due to my portly stature and ability to do a damn fine Santa accent. The suits were excellent, the pillow worked well, and we loaded presents into three pickup trucks to make deliveries across Eagle Butte. Unfortunately, Santa has to sit in the deck of the pickup, huddled out of the wind. I was so glad I had three pairs of gloves and underarmour thermals on! Some of the kids we visited were quite skeptical of the whole Santa act, and one poor little boy was scared out of his wits by the intruder (he would only take presents from Dad or my elf helper, not me directly) but most were over the moon to see Santa and his offerings. I had a tear in my eye more than a few times at the reactions of the little ones.

After deliveries were complete, my job there was effectively done and it felt strange to be doing nothing on Christmas and Boxing Day after working so hard beforehand. But the rest was welcome. We had an amazing Christmas lunch thanks to Christmas coordinator Ben (from London) that was reminiscent of home with great roast potatoes and even steamed pudding with custard and cream. I ate more than anybody and was quite content. Then later, at my suggestion, the volunteers watched 'Requiem for a Dream' at my suggestion. NOT A GOOD CHRISTMAS MOVIE despite the single Christmas reference in there. On Boxing Day we made some Karaoke magic at the Christmas-thank-you party. CRYP really knows how to look after its volunteers. We thanked them back with stirring renditions of Ziggy Stardust, Smells Like Teen Spirit, and of course the obligatory Down Under (a duet of Julie the director and me).

The next day I packed up and left the Center, a little sad and more than a little attached to the place and people. I'm sure I'll return some day for a longer stint. Julie drove Ben and I to Pierre, where we all stayed the night after a meal and a few drinks. I had my first taste of Buffalo meat and it was a religious experience! Think of the beefiest beef you've ever had, and then square the taste and halve the fat and cholesterol and you've got Buffalo. Hopefully one day they will roam the prairie as they used to: there is a decent change of this as many good people are devoted to their return. A cure for America's obesity epidemic perhaps? Not at current prices but perhaps one day.

The next day I had a quick look around the SD Capitol building, which had lovely Christmas decorations, and then Julie took me to the airport and I flew back to Detroit, which was blissfully uneventful. Except when I arrived home to no electricity at my house. Flooding and 'high' winds (35mph?) had knocked out 200,000 Michigan customers and so it was morning until my street was back online. Lucky I could sleep by the gas fire. A few days later I traveled out to New York City for New Years, but that is another story for another time (soon).

Photos of South Dakota trip: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=47756&id=703999762&l=04af807ad5