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​The mission of Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi (TGKP) is to work with all of creation to improve the lives of children and families with Serious Emotional Behavioral Disturbances (SEBD) through implementation of a Lakota based Mental Health Wraparound Model and use this model in the teaching and preparation of Lakota Counselors at Sinte Gleska University (SGU.)
Wopila (Thank You) for visiting our new site. Be sure to check back often as new content will be added frequently. Please visit our DONATE page to learn how you can help us sustain this valuable program on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. 

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Summer 2017 Events:

Sunka Wakan Camps at SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi
SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi (TGKP) “Bringing the Family Back to Life” offered a one week Horse Handler Training Camp on June 12-16, 2017 for 10 youth, ages 15-21. Horse Handlers were trained to assist TGKP therapists with Equine Assisted Mental Health Therapy and also with TGKP Sunka Wakan Youth Camps this summer. Highlights of the camp included a visit by a volunteer Veterinarian who gave the horses physicals, floated their teeth and brought immunizations up to date. Horse Handler trainees assisted the vet. The next day, a Farrier trimmed horse’s hooves with assistance of Horse Handler trainees. Earlier in the week, Sam High Crane shared teachings on Mitakuye Oyasin and the healing gifts and special relationship of the Sunka Wakan Oyate with the Lakota. Each trainee then participated in a Spirit connection with a horse. Greg Grey Cloud provided teachings on values and walked youth through the set-up of the Tipestola. Ron Frederick and Genna Buettner, SDSU Extension and 4-H, instructed trainees about horse safety, nutrition, anatomy, horse health, first aid and proper use of tack. The week concluded with a trail ride to Turtle Creek and a cookout with certificates of completion of training awarded.
TGKP also partnered with the SGU Science Department to provide morning sessions with Horse Handler Camp for participants in their STEM Camps (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.) Middle School students participated in the morning at the SGU Ranch and in the afternoon STEM classes were offered at the SGU Tech Building. The STEM/Horse Camp will continue for one more week and will conclude with student research presentations on Thursday June 22nd. A second session of STEM camp will be held from June27 through July 7 for Middle School and High School Students. For more information or applications for STEM Camp, please contact Mikel Bordeaux at 605-319-0035.
TGKP will also be offering other Summer Horse Camps as follows:
July 10-14 Male Survivors of Violence Horse Camp (Males ages 10-18);
July 30-August 4: Girls Horse Camp (Ages 8-12); August 7-11: Boys Horse Camp (Ages 8-12); and August 15-17: Youth Rodeo Camp (Ages 12-18.)
For more information on these day camps held from 9am to 4 pm, M-F, please contact:
Marlies White Hat at 605-856-8203 or Dave Valandra at 605-682-1823. Applications can be picked up at the TGKP Office on the SGU Campus in Mission, SD or mailed to you by calling Kateri at 605-856-8163. 

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SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi (TGKP) “Bringing the Family Back to Life” and the SGU Science Department offered the second session of another two week SGU STEM Horse Camp on June 27th – July 7th for middle and high school youth. Throughout this two week camp, 14 students spent their mornings learning how to care for horses, how to ride and interacted culturally with our Sunka Wakan Oyate at the SGU Horse Ranch while also gaining knowledge and experience with Lakota values. White Buffalo Calf Woman Society offered transportation assistance and also “Expect Respect” sessions each day to prevent teen dating violence and promote safe and healthy relationships. Ron Frederick, 4-H Youth Program Advisor, SDSU, also assisted with teachings on safety, riding, health and care of the horses.   In the afternoons, camp attendees headed to the SGU Tech building where they were introduced to the different fields of STEM:Science, Technology. Engineering, and Mathematics and designed and completed their own research projects.  The end of the two week Stem Horse Handler Camp concluded with a horse riding exhibition, a cookout, and presentations of their research projects for family and relatives.
TGKP will also be offering other Summer Sunka Wakan Camps as follows:
July 30 – August 4: Girls Horse Camp (Ages 8-12)
August 7 – 11: Boys Horse Camp (Ages 8-12)
August 15 – 17: Youth Rodeo Camp (Ages 12-18)
For more information on these day camps held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., M-F, please contact: Kateri Douville at 605.856.8163 or Dave Valandra at 605.682.1823. Applications can be picked up at the TGKP office on the SGU Campus in Mission, SD or mailed to you by calling Kateri.
As the number of children coming to the camps and other services is increasing, SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi Horse Ranch is seeking donations or loan of “kid” Horses for the programs offered by TGKP. Some of our Sunka Wakan are getting older and are ready to retire. If you are interested in donating or loaning a horse, please contact Dave Valandra at 605-682-1823. We will feed and take good care of them. Must be broken and gentle. Pila maya.

 
Another successful Sunka Wakan (Horse) camp ended this past week for SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi “Bringing the Family Back to Life” at the SGU Horse Ranch.
This week was for a group of young men, ages 8 – 12, who spent time connecting with the Sunka Wakan Oyate (Horse Nation) and learning about their care and safety from SDSU 4-H Instructor, Ron Frederick.
 Duane Hollow Horn Bear and Fred Little Bald Eagle shared Woksape (wisdom) about the roles of a young man and the values he should carry.  They were taught the importance of respect for all things
Camp Coordinator, Aldo “Bear” Seoana, the TGKP Horse Handlers and staff kept the young men busy with outdoor activities and horse riding.
Highlights of the camp included the young men painting their stories on horse effigies, long walks and storytelling ending with an Inipi (sweat) ceremony on Wednesday to enhance their Positive Cultural Experiences. The boy’s huge smiles coming back up to the ranch house from the Inipi was a true indication of how successful the Inipi and the overall camp experience was for them. The camp ended with a cookout with families, awarding of certificates, a group picture and as always requests for more time to ride horses!
Sinte Gleska University is sponsoring a Free Horsemanship and Rodeo Clinic Program on August 22 & 23, 2017, from 4-9pm, at the RST Rodeo Arena in Rosebud, SD. For more info, contact Travis at 856-8100.  

SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi “Binging the Family Back to Life” finished another summer camp this past week where 16 Wicincila’s(girls) between the ages of 8 and 12 spent time with TGKP and partner program staff learning the importance of Lakota cultural values and relationship with the Sunkan Wakan Oyate (Horse Nation.)
Mornings for the young women were spent at the ranch learning how to care for, respect and ride the Sunka Wakan.  The Wicincila’s talked often amongst themselves about the spirit connection they felt with their Sunkan Wakan Relatives.
In the afternoons the Wicincila’s were brought to “Our Happy Place” Sewing and Craft Recovery Room at the TGKP office on the Antelope Lake Campus where they were taught to use a sewing machine and picked out materials and ribbon colors to make their own ribbon skirts.  
It was a fun week with a lot of activities that taught the girls new skills, cultural competency and respect for others and all of creation, as well as respect for themselves. The camp ended with riding activities, a barbeque and fashion show of their skirts for staff and many family members who came to acknowledge the girls accomplishments. Wopila to Marilyn Parker, Billie Artichoker, Ron Frederick, WBCWS and the TGKP Horse Handlers who assisted Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi with the camp.