Other dates for this site include:

Demographics

The Rosebud Indian Reservation is in the south central corner of South Dakota, directly north of the Nebraska border and southeast of the Badlands and Black Hills. The reservation is home to the Sicangu Lakota Oyate Band of the Teton Sioux covering an area of approximately 950,000 miles, with an approximate population of 7,200. The ancestors of the Rosebud Sioux were descendants of the Sicangu tribe in Minnesota who were pushed west in the 1700s. An act of congress established the Rosebud Reservation in 1889. The shortage of suitable housing is widespread and severe. As a result of government housing policies, there are approximately 800 families struggling to find adequate housing on the reservation. 29% of the reservation’s population is homeless, and 59% live in sub-standard housing. A majority of homes are in great need of repair; many people live in houses that are wooden shacks, without even the basic amenities of electricity, running water or insulation to protect against winter weather. With an average annual income on the reservation of $3,244, Rosebud’s residents lack the funding to do even simple repairs. It is important to be aware that as the economic hardships have continued on the Reservation, the Lakota culture has become fairly wiped out and the cultural feeling is not very strong. Your group will find much work to be done in Rosebud.

About the Ministry

We focus on two primary areas of ministry: children and home improvement. Our work with children consists of a wonderful hands-on afternoon program led by your youth, known as Kids Club. Kids Club offers high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Also during the week, your group will have the opportunity to do home improvement. Oftentimes families struggle to provide the bare necessities of life. Maintaining a home takes a back seat when it is difficult to put food on the table. Your group’s willingness to refresh a worn out exterior of a house with a new coat of paint brings real hope and an opportunity to share the love of Christ. Participants will do two days of house painting, and two days of ministry with children, to give everyone the opportunity to do both. Adult leaders will separate youth into ministry groups, and the youth in your group will be mixed with the youth from other groups for their week of service.

Activities

Our goal with evening activities is to provide an exposure to the unique offering of the week and community. A list of evening/cultural activities we have done in the past include: Participate in a scavenger hunt in town; Listen to a local speaker – learn about Lakota history, culture and tradition; and cookout at a local family’s house. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or availability. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided.

Ministry Week

two days of house painting and two days of ministry with children

Mileage

The Rosebud Reservation is located approximately 200 miles southeast of the Rapid City Airport. For more information on trip distances and transportation options, call our Service Center at 1.800.968.8504.

Transportation & Travel

Each group is responsible for transportation to and from the site, and during the mission week.

Additional Information

If you would like more information on what there is to do in South Dakota and surrounding areas before or after your trip, call 1.800.S.DAKOTA, or e-mail SDINFO@GOED.STATE.SD.US to request a complete summer information kit.