Students use fall break to help the residents at Pine Ridge Reservation

OMAHA, NEB. – Fall break for most college students is about seeking comfort. With a break from the rigorous studies and daily schedules, students can use this time to relax, recharge and catch their breath for a couple days. But this year, a group of College of Saint Mary students used their fall break to step out of their comfort zone by traveling to a place they’ve never been before, helping people they’ve never met before and experiencing something they will never forget.

Seven students along with Carla Gerriets, the director of campus ministry, went to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The group set out to help at the Senior Center, assist in the setup of some new features at the Community Center, and learn about Native American traditions.

The students stayed on a farm and had the chance to experience agricultural life first-hand, but perhaps more eye-opening was the living conditions of the poverty-stricken reservation.

“I never understood poverty until I saw Pine Ridge,” said first-year nursing student Kelsey Crum. The Omaha native said Pine Ridge lies within the poorest county in the Western Hemisphere and most families live off of less than $500 a month.

There is only one medical clinic on the reservation, and it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. With most of the drinking water not safe enough to use on their skin, let alone drink, the students had to use bottled water to wash their faces and brush their teeth.

“It was a beautiful and eye-opening experience,” added Crum. “I think we all—myself included—place a high value on material things. A trip like this makes you grateful for what you have. You realize what’s really important is family, friends, community, volunteering, and being a part of something that’s bigger than yourself. It’s about what you can do to make other people’s lives better.”

After arriving at the reservation, students unloaded sewing machines and materials that were donated to the Lakota people so that they could begin quilting classes which taught the art of creating “star” quilts. They ended the night by sharing a meal and learning about women in the Lakota Culture and their role in leadership.

“The people were so giving even though they don’t have a lot,” said Meghan Krokaugger, paralegal studies student. “It was hard to leave knowing there was so much need; I wanted to do more.”

On Friday, some students painted the Senior Center while others set up the sewing room at the Community Center. They also spoke with children and a few high school students about what it is like to attend college at CSM.  A Lakota woman then came in and taught the students how to make traditional bread dishes and Indian tacos, which the students enjoyed for dinner.

“The people of Pine Ridge have to prepare around 100 meals a day for their elders,” added Crum. “They didn’t have to do this for us – they were thanking us when I felt like we should be the ones thanking them.”

Saturday morning was spent finishing up the projects at the Community Center, packing backpack lunches for people in need, and sorting seeds for the Community Gardens. In the afternoon, the students left the reservation and drove through the Black Hills National Park Scenic Drive before arriving at the farm where they stayed.  There they visited a stockyard with cows and horses and enjoyed a homegrown meal that included homemade ice cream.

Crum said she recommends going on a trip like this at least once and had some words for those maybe on the fence a bit.

“I would say just go for it. I have friends now that I probably wouldn’t have met before. To be honest, it was nice to be stuck somewhere without cell reception for four days because we got to know each other so well. We told each other funny stories from high school and college, and we were able to grow closer together from this shared experience.”

The students then had a chance to explore some sights on their way home on Sunday. The group stopped at Bear Butte (a Native American Ceremonial butte), Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument.  They had time to tour, see movies about these museums and learn more about Lakota culture before returning home.

As part of its mission, College of Saint Mary strives to create a culture of servant leadership and social responsibility. There’s no doubt that students like Kelsey, Kaleigh, Tyler, Abril, Kailey, Tory, Milka, Meghan and many others are living proof of that mission.

“In our society, it is easy to take things for granted, but going to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation reminded me of all that I have to be thankful for,” said Kailey Tarkett, a first-year nursing major. “With this experience I saw how much volunteers can positively impact an organization.”