EAGLE BUTTE, S.D. – After years of planning and nine busy months of research, interviews and curating, the Cheyenne River Youth Project in Eagle Butte officially dedicated the History Wall in the Cokata Wiconi Teen Center this summer.

A permanent exhibition of documents, photographs and other materials that tell the history of the four bands of Lakota who comprise the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, the History Wall is now available for public viewing.

“We welcome our local youth, members of our community and visitors who would like to learn more about what it means to be Lakota,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director. “When we designed Cokata Wiconi, we wanted to build a place that would represent past, present and future, and the History Wall is a critical component of that vision. I hope the community embraces it, and that it will continue to evolve.”

The wall’s timeline starts circa 1500, before the Lakota made their home along the Cheyenne River, and traces the four bands’ major events and personal stories through more than 500 years to the present day. The narrative weaves through the centuries from the Lakota creation story to the years of conflict following European contact, when leaders such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse made their mark and ultimately became legend.

The History Wall also covers the story of the reservations and the struggle to maintain a strong Lakota identity in the face of official opposition, and it moves into the present day with the inspiring stories of the Glasgow Ghost Dance shirt and the Big Foot Memorial Ride.

Cheyenne River elder Harry Charger conducted the opening prayer at the formal dedication ceremony. His great-grandfather, legendary Lakota leader Big Foot, is buried at Wounded Knee, and Charger himself ran supplies to Wounded Knee during the 1973 conflict.

“This is incredible,” he commented. “It’s tremendous. I’m so honored, so humbled, to be here. This place did this, so [CRYP] has a place in our history … and in our prayers.”

London resident and former long-term volunteer Benjamin Cranham was responsible for curating the massive project. He volunteered with CRYP from September 2007 to March 2008. Beginning in January 2008, he curated a collection of pictures, maps, photographs, biographies and commentaries that tell the story of the Lakota people over the last 400 years.

“As I worked with Cheyenne River’s children daily, I was particularly struck by the disconnect between their modern lives and their cultural heritage,” he said. “The places where they can get a sense of their own ‘Lakota-ness’ are limited, and more know how to rap than how to dance at a pow wow or how to understand or speak the Lakota language.

“CRYP is dedicated to respecting and maintaining the Lakota culture and values in a modern context through projects such as the organic garden, arts and crafts, the oral history project and the new History Wall in the Cokata Wiconi Teen Center,” he continued. “The wall, which I see as vital, has been my contribution to CRYP’s ongoing mission. I believe that by giving our young people a sense of cultural pride and an understanding of their history, we help them build the foundation for a strong future for themselves and their families. It was a rare honor, and a tremendous responsibility.”

According to Garreau, the History Wall is far more than an exhibition. It is also part of Cokata Wiconi’s wider cultural function, a physical and permanent record that ties in with the library and ongoing projects such as the oral history program.

“It will become an engaging visual reminder to Cheyenne River youth of their shared history,” she commented. “We need to constantly find new ways to connect with our kids, to let them know how amazing they are. At CRYP, we’ve always believed that our greatest inspiration is within ourselves, and we wish to help our kids find their way to who they are as individuals – and feel part of something larger than themselves.”

For those who wish to assist CRYP as it continues to develop its cultural initiatives, Cranham pointed out that much work remains to be done on the History Wall.

“We need to fill a few gaps in the subject matter, which we simply did not have the time or resources to complete prior to the Aug. 31 dedication,” he said. “I also want to ensure that the materials we use will allow the exhibition to last for many years.”

To support this valuable project, CRYP now has a limited-edition poster available for purchase that includes a historical timeline for Cheyenne River’s four bands of Lakota. The posters are $25 each, plus shipping. Donors may also make direct financial contributions to CRYP.

“My time on the reservation has taught me that despite the comparatively few CRYP staff members and volunteers on-site in Eagle Butte, we are part of a much bigger family thanks to the messages, prayers and contributions we receive from around the country and around the world,” Cranham noted. “Without the support of that extended family, we couldn’t continue to do what we do.”

To learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, call (605) 964-8200 or visit www.lakotayouth.org. The youth project now accepts donations online; at the Web site, click “Help CRYP.”