A look into our past and where we've been, this is an archive of past TGKP events and old information:

TGKP Hosts Ribbon Skirt Workshop for Horse Creek & Swift Bear Youth
On April 18th, SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi “Bringing the Family Back to Life” along with the Horse Creek Community hosted a ribbon skirt workshop in the Horse Creek community, welcoming youth from both the Horse Creek and Swift Bear communities. This hands-on event was specially organized for girls preparing to celebrate important milestones—either graduating high school or moving up from 8th grade—and who wanted to create a ribbon skirt of their own for the occasion.
Ribbon skirts hold deep cultural and spiritual significance, representing identity, pride, and the strength of Lakota womanhood. For many of the participants, this workshop was their first opportunity to design and sew their own ribbon skirt.
SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi is honored to continue supporting community youth through workshops that blend skill-building, cultural teaching, and celebration. We extend our gratitude to Horse Creek community women for cooking the meal and hosting this event, and congratulations to all the young women who participated!
For more information about Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi “Bringing the Family Back to Life”, please contact Marlies White Hat, Director at (605)828-0396 or [email protected].

Third Annual Halloween Masquerade Wacipi!

​SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi will be hosting a “Special Rodeo” for individuals of all ages with all disabilities on Sunday, October 6th, 2024 at the SGU TGKP Horse Ranch 2 miles NW of Mission. Registration starts at 10:30am and activities start at 11am which include stick horse racing, horse grooming, corral riding which is wheelchair accessible, and many more activities. Lunch will be provided and we’re asking for volunteers, no rodeo knowledge needed. You can pre-register starting September 23rd and inquire more information from the following numbers: Jaylynn Hawk at (605)515-2870 or (605) 856-8298  or Dave Valandra at (605)682-1823.
​Last week, SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi, also known as “Bringing the Family Back to Life,” along with TCSD Exceptional Education Department welcomed faculty and students led by Jarrett Allen from Wingate University’s Physical Therapy Department in Wingate, NC. The dedicated visitors from Wingate raised money to purchase wood and worked tirelessly from Monday to Wednesday to construct a platform with a ramp to give access for local students with disabilities to the TGKP therapy horses. By the end of the week, they successfully facilitated sessions with seven children and one adult.

This collaboration aimed to create a supportive environment for youth with disabilities, focusing on transferring them to the back of a Sunkawakan (horse) relative safely. In preparation for their visit, the TGKP Ranch desensitized the horses by introducing wheelchairs to the horses.
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This partnership not only built a physical platform but also laid the foundation for a more inclusive and compassionate future, where every child, regardless of their abilities, can experience the healing power of our Sunkawakan relatives. For more information on TGKP services or referrals, please contact Justin Baker, TGKP Lead Family Coordinator at (605)856-8148 or stop by the TGKP Office in Mission, SD on the SGU Campus, behind the Lakota Studies Tipi.

Mayda Bartlett Memorial Horse Program Riding Days

He Dog School Horse Program Summer Riding Days

​Horse Creek Community Ribbon Skirt Workshop

On Friday, March 15th, SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi and the Mayda Bartlett Memorial Horse Program partnered with the Horse Creek Youth program for a Ribbonskirt Workshop day. We set up our machines and materials at the Horse Creek Community building and waited for the community to show. We had women and girls of all ages come to learn how to sew a ribbonskirt. Women and young girls from surrounding communities showed up to support and learn as well. We started our day with a light breakfast and a morning prayer from Wilma Janis. Teachings were shared with the girls and women of the ribbonskirt before we started with the workshop. Over the course of the day, the girls and women picked out their choice of fabric and ribbons. We assisted them in cutting out their fabric to fit their sizes and showed them how to pin down their ribbons. The girls and women had the opportunity to sew their own ribbon skirts with the help of Billie Artichoker, Alicia Medicine Eagle, and Casandra Artichoker. A few young girls learned how to sew quickly and finished their skirts by themselves before the day was over. Overall, it was a great day filled with stories and laughter. Community members shared knowledge with the younger girls and with each other. ​

He Dog School Elementary/Horse Creek Community Horse Programs ​

An equine based program through the Sinte Gleska University Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi(TGKP) promotes confidence building and positive mental health awareness within our communities and schools for our youth. Working towards a broader view of our Lakota culture as well as the connection with horses and the effect they have on a person’s mental, physical, and spiritual well-being undoubtedly leaves an impression on any and everybody involved. Consisting of basic horsemanship for first time riders as well as the more experienced, the program brings 8 horses, give or take, to the He Dog Elementary School bi-weekly for riding days when the weather permits, as well as in-class settings on the days when it does not. Asa Amiotte is the Program Coordinator at the HeDog School. 
The Mayda Bartlett Memorial Horse Program for our youth in Horse Creek, SD, also provides the same services as the He Dog Elementary Horse Program during the summer months giving the youth an opportunity to practice basic horsemanship & confidence building exercises. Tavish Bartlett is the Mayda Bartlett Memorial Horse Program Coordinator for the program at Horse Creek. Both programs as well as our TGKP program will be hosting riding days and youth camps throughout this coming summer for any youth who wish to participate. For more information, go to Tiwahe.org for dates and summer camp applications or contact Kateri (605-856-8163) at the TGKP Office on the SGU campus. The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a person!  See Pictures below at He Dog School.  ​
Han mitakuyepi! Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 20th, 2024, for our annual gathering at Pe Sla.

Pe Sla is an annual renewal ceremony for all of creation. Its purpose is to wipe the tears of loss and prepare creation for new life. Pe Sla is a bald spot in He Sapa (the Black Hills) and is considered ‘the heart of everything that is.'

We will gather at Hill City, SD at 11am MT at the Exxon Gas Station and caravan to the site. Everyone is welcome to attend, please see flyer and remember to be mindful as this is a ceremony.
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If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Carrie Bartlett at (605)856-8296.
Pictures from our 2024 čanšáša harvest! Fred little Bald Eagle prayed and gave an offering and shared teachings, stories and protocols about how and why we harvest čanšáša. The community enjoyed the hands on learning, the pictures below shows everyone gathered at the TGKP office learning how to shave their harvested čanšáša. 

Čanšáša is traditional tobacco used by the Lakota and Dakota people. Čanšáša has been used by tribes of Oceti Sakowin for centuries as a medicine with cultural and spiritual importance. It comes from Unci Maka and connects us to those around us. ​
​A look back at our year - 2023

• After the extreme weather over the holidays, we kicked off 2023 hosting Family Fun Night during Sinte Gleska University’s 51st annual Founder’s Day celebration. Santa and the Grinch couldn’t make it during Christmas so they brought candy/fruit bags/gifts to Family Fun Night.
• TGKP welcomed spring with a Social Dance at the SGU Wakinyan Wanbli Multipurpose Student Center. We invited programs to set up informational booths and round-danced the night away together.
• We organize a trip to two sites that give relatives energy & renewal each year; the first being Pe Sla in He Sapa (the Black Hills) where we welcome spring, wiping away the tears of loss and prepare creation for new life. The second being Inyan Kaga in Sundance Wyoming, a place the Lakota people have gone to gather stones to use for Inipi/Sundance.
• For Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, we, along with a social media takeover, sponsored a Hat and Boot Special at the Todd County High School Wacipi. We sponsored three places and had the floor to talk about children’s mental health. Another accomplishment from CMHAW was getting May 7th – 13th, 2023 proclaimed as Children’s Mental health Acceptance Week from President Scott Herman of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.
• TGKP along with Project Launch hosted monthly Welcoming of the Spirit of the Baby celebrations.
• Throughout the summer we had Sunkawakan Summer Camps at the SGU TGKP Horse Ranch. There were two Girls Camps where the girls learned horse safety and got to spend the week riding as well as doing Lakota crafts and sage picking/tinpsila digging. This summer we had one overnight boys camp where the boys learned how to put up a tipi, make moccasins, shoot archery and ride horse!
• At the Rosebud Fair and Wacipi TGKP set up a tipi to welcome Sicancu Lakota relatives and their families that have been affected by being fostered or adopted out. Sandy White Hawk facilitated an honoring for these relatives. Wicoicage Aki Un Kupi (Generation after generation they are coming home)
• Fifty relatives/40 families served through the year with therapy and Care Coordination. Over 500 relatives have been served since TGKP started.
• Each year we celebrate our TGKP relatives who have graduated from our program, moved up from 8th grade, and/or graduated high school. We also celebrate their families and our staff who have graduated or reached an achievement as well.
• We branched off with two new Horse programs this year, one in Horse Creek and one in He Dog. The Mayda Bartlett Memorial Horse Program led by Tavish Bartlett of Horse Creek had a successful summer with riding days almost every other Friday. Youth and their families came from the Horse Creek community and all over the reservation to spend the afternoon in Horse Creek learning about horses, their spiritual connections and basic safety and riding etiquette.
The He Dog Horse Program integrated well as the students loved having a few afternoons at the beginning of the school year with the horses. Asa Amiotte also took to the HeDog school K-8 classrooms every other Monday to teach about the horse, its history with the Lakota people and our connection.
• Ranch staff took Sunkawakan to the Rosebud Adult Correction Facility on 3 days. Relatives appreciated the horses and the healing provided and hope to see them again.
• We had a spooky night during the week of Halloween as we hosted a Halloween Masquerade Wacipi at the SGU Wakinyan Wanbli Multipurpose Student Center. Over 250 people attended and mostly all showed up in costume ready to dance. We had fun competitions along with four different dancing categories. We are so appreciative of all the programs who attended by setting up a booth and for all the other programs that supported in other ways like donating door prizes which we gave away throughout the evening.
• We had 2 Sewing Material Give-aways in 2023, spring & fall, to support Community members and groups that sew regalia and household items for their relatives.
• Justin Baker provided drum group practice for the Rosebud Boys & Girls Club in the spring and a Talking Circle/Singing practice for the ACF in the fall/winters.
• Throughout the year, every third Thursday of the month, we facilitate a Society of Care meeting at the Boys & Girls Club in Mission, for 20 Child & Family programs and Community members to share information and network.
• We ended the year with our annual Christmas Family Gathering. This is not a public event but for the relatives and their families in our program. We filled stockings with household essentials which every family got to go home with along with fun door prizes and gifts. Santa and the Grinch also made an appearance as we listened to Fred Little Bald Eagle tell winter stories.
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It was a good year and we’re excited to see what 2024 will bring! Thank you to all of our partners.

​Happy Holidays from the SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi Staff!
(Not all staff pictured)

​Christmas Family Gathering 2023

​Lila wopila to all our donors, this event wouldn't have been possible without you! We enjoyed a night of holiday spirit starting off sharing a meal with our relative. Fred Little Bald Eagle told Christmas stories and shared Lakota wisdom. Our tables had takeaway sheets of paper with Mental Health Tips During the Holidays. Native Santa and the Grinch made an appearance, the kids loved talking and taking pictures with them. The door prizes were distributed through the night and everyone went home with their hands and hearts full.

​​Happy Halloween from the TGKP staff! We hope everyone stayed warm, safe and had a spooky day.

The 2022 summer Sunkawakan (Horse) Camps wrapped up this month for SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi “Bringing the Family Back to Life.” A full camp of 15 Wicincila (young girls) got to spend their mornings connecting with the horses and riding them. On Wednesday, Foster Cournoyer-Hogan and Alan Young from REDCO Food Sovereignty Initiative brought a healthy meal of Tatanka (buffalo) tacos! In the grueling afternoon heat, the girls headed inside the ranch house to learn how to bead earrings! Some said they were keeping them for themselves but some said they wanted to gift them to family members. They also learned about gathering Peji Hota (sage) for the coming year. To close, Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council Member, Dera Iyotte, engaged in conversation with the Wicincila about the importance of Mni (water.)Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi Staff and Sunkawakan Oyate enjoyed hosting all the youth that came to our camps this summer and look forward to doing it again next summer.
Upon their request, SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi Ki (TGKP) "Bringing the Family Back to Life" Children's Mental Health Program, took therapy horses to the White River, SD, Nursing Home on May 17, 2022, for a visit with the residents. The Sunkawakan (Horses) and residents thoroughly enjoyed their time together. SGU TGKP, located on the SGU Campus and Ranch in Mission, SD provides behavioral health services for children, Ages 3-18, with serious emotional behavioral issues and their families. Services include assessment, therapy, wraparound care coordination, Lakota cultural teachings and healing practices, referrals and flex funds for immediate unmet needs. SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi is working to restore spiritual connections and healing with the Sunkawakan Oyate (Horse Nation)and all of creation for children and families through Lakota based equine therapy, summer camps and school and community-based activities. 
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News from the SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi (TGKP) Equine Specialist Training Program
 
Some of the greatest horsemen and women of the plains were the Lakota. The Lakota have an incredible spiritual connection with their horses and all the while experience the therapeutic benefits of health and healing that horses provide. Current research shows that just being around horses or taking care of them through something as simple as grooming, leading them or feeding the horse reduces stress, feelings of tension, anxiety and anger, lowers blood pressure and improves overall health. 
 
In an effort to maintain and expand that connection with the horse and reap the benefits for our youth and community members, SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi worked with SDSU Extension 4-H and other community partners to create a unique hands-on program to train individuals and give them the skills, knowledge and expertise to create and develop horse programs in communities.
 
During the 2018 SGU TGKP weeklong summer horse camps, youth were surveyed and expressed sadness at the ending of the camps and the desire to have the horse program continue and to be in their communities. Thus, the Equine Specialist Training Program was created. Daily training in the various aspects of horse care have been scheduled throughout the five month program which includes all aspects of horse health and daily care, working with children and their families, as well as ranch and facility management. Foremost are teachings about the historical and spiritual connection of the Sunkawakan Oyate (Horse Nation) with the Lakota. 
 
Many individuals have come to share their expertise. Ron Fredrick, SDSU Extension 4-H, provided training on safety, horse anatomy, nutrition and feeding as well as horse health and care. The next week, he taught the Equine Specialists how to trim and maintain hooves.  At this farrier training, participants even learned how to pick up a horse’s hind foot, hold it and trim it! 
 
On a daily basis, Equine Specialists are given instruction by TGKP Ranch Manager, Dave Valandra, on the various aspects of how to maintain a community horse facility. This includes providing a clean, safe environment; how to operate small equipment; aspects of a good watering system; proper use, care and storage of tack; what constitutes a good corral and fencing system for equine and working with and making the connection with horses. Participants learn not only the names of the horses but personalities, quirks and training of all 37 of them!
 
Greg Grey Cloud, TGKP Ranch Foreman and Culturally Specific Horse Group Therapy Facilitator, provides the Equine Specialists training through teaching Lakota Horse culture.  Stories, experiences and teachings of the historical connections of the Lakota with the Sunkawakan Oyate, the Horse Nation, are used to further understanding.  He teaches participants how the Horse Nation provides healing and restores health and well-being. 
 
TGKP Equine Therapist, Kelsey Soles, MS -LPC, provided examples of what a typical equine therapy session might look like at the SGU Ranch. The Equine Specialists were able to observe and assist with horses in two Mock Sessions. With training, the Equine Specialists can assist therapists with the horses during sessions. Equine specialists are not therapists but they were made aware of mental health issues children deal with today and how to refer them to local programs for services.  Charlotte Emery, MS- LPC, TGKP Clinical Supervisor, gave a presentation on available services and hands-on instruction for filling out forms and process to make referrals.
 
Since the goal of the Equine Specialist training program is to create horse programs in communities, Harold Compton of TLE provided a presentation on land including the process for communities to acquire land for horse programs for youth and families.
 
Some amazing and fun things have occurred during the training. One of the Equine Specialists was admiringly dubbed, “The Horse Whisperer,” by fellow members when he was able to touch, pet and then halter a wild, two year old rescue stallion that wouldn’t allow himself to be caught or touched by others. Later he was even able to get on the young stallion. 
Reflecting on what they have learned thus far, the five Equine Specialist trainees said:
“This program has been one of the most influential things in my life today. So far I’ve learned 
several important tools that I could use throughout my life.”
Felisha Whiting shared that her highlight is “Learning how to spiritually connect with our horse 
relatives. Trimming horse’s hooves is pretty fun, too!”
Asa Amiotte feels that the advantages of the Equine Specialist Training Program is “Working with great people and is a very rewarding experience.”
Fred Fast Horse appreciated “Learning how to spiritually reconnect with our relatives in the old way compared to the cowboy way which is common around here.”
Mayda Bartlett stated, “Growing up around horses, I personally have experienced the 
therapeutic effect of the Horse Nation.  So I was thrilled for the creation of the Equine Specialist 
Training Program. I am very grateful to have such amazing and knowledgeable individuals to 
learn from. Thank you Dave Valandra, Greg Grey Cloud, Ron Frederick, Kelsey Soles, Marlies 
White Hat, Conrad Eagle Feather, Mark White Hat and the many others that help us every day.  
As Equine Specialists, we have the huge task of putting a horse program into our communities 
and I appreciate any and all help!”
Gregg Grey Cloud offered this bit of advice for the public: “I think what’s important for people to know in our community is that you don’t need to have any experience riding horses to come out to the ranch.  We work with beginners to experienced riders and welcome any and all!” TGKP is offering Summer Horse Camps for youth. Contact the program at 856-8163 for applications and more information. 
 
In the coming weeks, the Equine Specialists are assisting with the TGKP summer Horse Camps and Lakota Youth Development Camps. Taffy Lafferty of REDCO will also be assisting them with strategic planning to develop programs to share their new skills with children in the communities and at the Rosebud Boys and Girls Clubs. For more information, please contact Marlies White Hat at 605-856-8203.
 
 
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​SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi (TGKP) “Bringing the Family Back to Life” and the SGU Science Department offered a two week STEM/Horse Camp on June 4th – 15nd for High School students, ages 14 through 18. Throughout this two week camp, students spent their mornings learning how to care for, ride and interact culturally with our Sunkawakan Oyate (Horse Nation) at the SGU Horse Ranch while also gaining knowledge and experience with Lakota language and values. Camp highlights include: helping horse handlers set up a tipi, individual spirit connections with the Sunkawakan, painting a model wooden horse to take home, and horse rides almost every day around the SGU Horse Ranch! 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, where they designed and completed their own research projects. These included making:  a Simple Paper Coffee Cup Helicopter; a bridge able to withstand the weight of a 145 lb. person made from popsicle sticks; a functioning recycled boat; and an active Volcano.  The end of the two week Stem Horse Handler Camp concluded with a horse riding exhibition, a cookout and presentation of their research projects for family and relatives.
For more information on future 2018 Summer Sunkawakan Camps, please contact: Kateri Douville at 605-856-8163. A Family Camp for Parents/ Guardians and Children, ages 10-14, will be held on July 9-12. A Girls Camp for ages 8-16 will be held on July 31-August 3. A Boys Camp for ages 8-12 will be held on August 7-10. Applications can be picked up at the TGKP office on the SGU Antelope Lake Campus in Mission, SD.
SGU Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi “Binging the Family Back to Life” finished another summer camp this past week. Twelve young girls spent time with TGKP staff learning the importance of cultural values and relationship with the Sunkawakan Oyate. The young women spent their time at the ranch learning about anatomy, safety, riding, and the importance of caring for and respecting the Sunkawakan. They were also taught how to bead a wrap-stitched bracelet by Krista White! Dera Iyotte came and talk to the Wicincalapi about mni (water) and it’s importance.
It was a fun week with a lot of activities that taught the girls cultural competency and respect for others as well as respect for themselves. The camp ended with a horse riding exhibit and a cookout with family.
We would like to thank our parters; the REDCO Food Sovereignty Initiative for a delicious healthy meal; the TGKP “Our Happy Place” Craft Center with Krista White. Cultural knowledge keeper, Dera Iyotte; and last but not least we say Wopila to the Sunkawakan Oyate and the TGKP Ranch staff and Horse handlers (Peyton Barera, Quincy High Pipe, Jaylynn Marshall, and Tyson White Hat) for a great camp experience.
 
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.