During the transition from being a girl to becoming a young woman, sometimes this can be a challenging time for young girls and their families. We would like to offer an opportunity to you to gain some Lakota traditional teachings related to becoming a young woman. We are offering a Young Women’s Gathering for up to 10 girls, ages 11-13 and their adult female guardian/parent/relative from October 19-21, 2012 in Porcupine, SD at the Tasunke Wakan Okolakiciye Center. There will be teachings, activities and healing opportunities throughout the days and will end with a ceremony called Isna Ti Awicalowan Pi (They sing for her that lives alone – a reference to the time of isolation during a girl/woman’s monthly purification time) for those girls who are going through the ceremony after having their monthly purification time (Please note: do not plan on attending if you will be on your monthly purification time during the camp as spiritual ceremonies will be taking place during the camp). As the future women leaders of families and of our great Lakota Nation, we humbly invite you to join us. Click here to download the complete info and registration packet.
GSLL 1501 – Approaches to Community Development
This course provides a framework for community development based on a participatory, bottom-up, multi-sector model. Various approaches have been used in community development with varying degrees of success. One approach that has consistently demonstrated effectiveness is the Village Earth model based on participatory practices.
Through personal and structural empowerment, the objectives of economic well-being, environmental sustainability, and socio-cultural vitalization can be met. By looking at an overview of the entire development process and using case studies, this course will prepare participants to work in the field of community development and illuminate how all of the development efforts fit together to support the overall goal of sustainability.
Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:
Compare different development approaches and evaluate their effectiveness.
Understand the basic principles that underlie sustainable development.
Incorporate participatory practices into community development activities
Design a development project based on the Village Earth model
Who should take this course? This course is suited for people who are interested in community development and work or plan to work in this field. This includes people working or volunteering at NGOs, NPOs, governmental organizations, without border organizations, or missionary organizations. In addition, people involved in funding community development projects benefit from this course.
