Smoke Signab July 1989
Page 13
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Dorothy Lawe waits for salmon during distribution in June. A
1 . .
There arc times that each of us feel like we are just
"spinning our wheels." The more we work the bigger
the job gets. It doesn't matter what line of work you
may be in, I am sure that you have hit this plateau of
uncertainty.
In the field of Social Services many times the only news
we hear is. bad news. This last week a client proved the
exception to that rule. A client called to say "thank
you" and to remind me that one year had gone by since
we were able to assist this family.
My wheels stopped spinning and I was able to become,
motivated to complete the tasks I had set out to accom
plish (his day. I had a client who didn't need me. This
small act of reassurance has made me reflect on how
lucky I am to work in a position that actual results can
be viewed. Many people never see the finished product
of their efforts.
If you find yourself in this position remember some
where out there is a client who doesn't need you,
because your efforts have paid off. Mother Teresa said,
"We can do no great things, only little things with great
love." You do them daily.
Mary Ring
Social Service Program Director
Members of the Lakota Oyate- Ki Club at the Oregon State Penitentiary pose by one of their many Native projects.
LAKOTA CLUB HANGS ON
TO THEIR HERITAGE
The Lakota Oyate-Ki Indian Culture Club within the
boundaries and confines of the Oregon State Peniten
tiary is a Native American culture group made up Native
men from all over the country who are incarcerated at
the Penitentiary. The Lakota Club tries to provide each
and every Native brother a stepping stone of learning
about the traditions and customs of their ancestors. The
group has been organized for 23 years now and they
sponsor 4 mini-pow wows and one major pow wow
inside the penitentiary on an annual basis. The non
profit club also takes part in a Charter Night gathering
to celebrate and remember the beginnings of the club.
The brotherhood considers themselves to be a family
unit that is guided by the mighty one of power in the
spirit circle of the sky. The club feels that it is important
for members to continue the practice of traditional
religious ceremonies like the Sacred Pipe and Sweat
lodge rituals. Drumming and singing sessions at the
penitentiary enable the participants to feel good about
themselves and assist in the continuance of the tradi
tional and spiritual customs within singing the songs of
the Native American culture.
The club provides the brotherhood with a Native
American culture class held in the education section of
the facility on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The class offers Native American cultural films and
videos provided to members by the Education Depart
ment and volunteers. Members believe that the most
important aspect of the culture class is that they once
again begin to learn that they are spiritually Endowed
Human Beings that are worthwhile and important.
The club members would like you to know that
donations are greatly appreciated and that they will go
to helping sustain the program and assist in the publish
ing of the club's yearly magazine. Anyone interested in
attending any of the group's functions or activities
should contact the group at this address: LAKOTA
OYATE-KI INDIAN CULTURE CLUB AT THE
OREGON STATE PENITENTIARY 2605 STATE
STREET SALEM, OREGON 97310.