Activities & Opportunities

The Dakota Sioux culture provides an opportunity for growth and fascination. As your team extends God's love through practical relational work, you will be helping with a summer outreach and a variety of relational events/projects - some of which may include home repair and other outdoor projects for the elderly, work in the local groups and Prayer Riding.

Projects
The work projects are organized to support the needs and vision of the community and designed to connect team members with the local people in the area. Your team will be involved in basic projects that do not demand experience or skilled workers. All needed tools and equipment will be provided for you. Some team members who are not taking part in the Prayer Rides or work projects may be able to assist with food preparation at the All Tribes kitchen.

We encourage the team to build relationships with local adults and children as they work at their construction sites. Bringing a soccer ball, football or Frisbee is a fun way to connect with kids.

We work closely with local pastors and leaders to identify work projects and ministry opportunities that address authentic needs within the community. We ask that you come with a servant’s heart and willingness to adapt to the unique qualities represented in each location. Opportunities can vary significantly from one day to the next. The team may work at one location or serve at multiple locations each day. Due to the changing needs of our community partners, we cannot confirm your specific activities until your team arrives.

Typical Schedule

Each morning, there is time set aside for devotions and quiet time. St. Brendan’s has devotionals/journals that are available or you can supply your own. This is a valuable time and we strongly encourage everyone to spend it with God journaling their thoughts and experiences as the days unfold.

Each evening an hour or so is set aside after dinner for worship, prayer and a short message by ourselves or Pastor Tim. Following this evening program, there will be time scheduled for members to meet together to share, debrief, have fun and deal with team issues. We make this time a priority for you to spend with your team.

Day One

9:00 am Leave Minnesota
3:00-6:00 pm Group Arrive in Mission
6:00 - Dinner
7:00 - Orientation Meeting with Pastor Eric, KC Kopasca and Hans
8:30 - Team Time (a time for your group alone)
10:00 - Lights Out

Day Two-Subject to modification on-site

7:15 - Breakfast
8:00 - Teams move to City Park and aid with set-up
9:00 – DAY IN THE PARK
12:00 - Lunch
3:30 - Finish Work for the day
4:00 - Break and Clean-up
6:00 – Dinner

7:00 - Team time Break and Clean-up

Day Three (Sunday)

7:15 - Breakfast
7:45 - Devotions and Quiet Time
8:15 - Group Prayer
10:00 – Worship at All Tribes Fellowship (Upstairs)
12:00 - Lunch
2:00 – Recreational Activities
6:00 - Dinner

Day Four through Seven

7:15 - Breakfast
7:45 - Devotions and Quiet Time
8:15 - Group Prayer
8:30 - Teams leave for Sites
12:00 - Lunch
3:30 - Finish Work for the day
4:00 - Break and Clean-up
6:00 - Dinner
7:00 - Evening program (as a whole group)
8:30 - Team time

Day Eight

9:00 am Leave Wagner
10:00 am Group Arrive in Lower Brule

Assist with Day in the Park II set up.
6:00 - Dinner
7:00 - Orientation Meeting with Pastor Randy, KC Kopasca and Hans

8:30 - Team Time (a time for your group alone)
10:00 - Lights Out

Day Nine

7:15 - Breakfast
8:00 - Teams move to City Park and aid with set-up
9:00 – DAY IN THE PARK
12:00 - Lunch
3:30 - Finish Work for the day
4:00 - Break and Clean-up
6:00 – Dinner

7:00 - Team time Break and Clean-up

Day Ten (Sunday)

7:15 - Breakfast
7:45 - Devotions and Quiet Time
8:15 - Group Prayer
10:00 – Worship at Lower Brule Assembly of God

12:00 - Lunch
1:00 - Cleanup/ Packing
2:00 - Pictures and Good-Byes

Lodging & Food

Lodging

Food: A wonderful team of local people and NAM staff will prepare your lunch and dinner on weekends. The menu includes a tasty selection of Native American food. Bring a big appetite as there will be plenty to eat! We will prepare all other ourselves in the church kitchen.

Transportation

Your teams transportation to, from and while in South Dakota is included. Pastor Tim and Elaine and our vehicles will be available throughout the entire week to transport your team to various locations for work, prayer rides and ministry.

Community Profile

History

The Yankton Sioux are a Dakota (Eastern) Native American nation of the Great Plains, closely allied with the Lakota (Western) Sioux. Dakota and Lakota are their own names for their tribe, which translate as “friendly”. "Sioux" is a French version of the Ojibwe (Anishinabe) name for their ancient enemies and means "Little Snakes" (not a compliment!).  There was nothing "little" about the Sioux, however.  Divided into four tribes of Eastern or Santee Dakota, two tribes of Middle Dakota (Yankton and Little Yankton), and seven tribes of Western or Teton Dakota (they say "Lakota" because L replaces D in their dialect).

The first Sioux who Lewis and Clark met were Yankton Dakota.  They had about 500 warriors and a total population of 1,600-2,000 people living at the mouth of the James (then, Jacque) River, near the present-day Yankton, South Dakota.  The first things that Lewis and Clark noticed about their village were the colorful painted tipis of tanned buffalo hides, which they had not seen before on the Expedition.

Geography

The entire Yankton Sioux Reservation is located in Charles Mix County and as it rises up from the Missouri River, is long grass prairie, part of the northern Great Plains. Charles Mix County is located in south central South Dakota along the Missouri River.  The county is nearly 100 miles in length

Lifestyle

Jobs are scarce and poverty is pervasive on the Yankton reservation. Although the tribe does have a casino at Fort Randall, and maintains one of the largest buffalo herds in the country, alcoholism, drug abuse and lack of work are major problems here, and on other reservations across America.

Needs

For those who are not able to work, the prospect of falling into depression and despair is a real possibility. Providing activities and connections to people and God's love is very important.

Language

English is a necessary skill for the Yankton Sioux and most are fluent. However, traditionally the Lakota, Nakota and Dakota tribes both speak the Dakota language, with only a handful of vocabulary items different between their locations.

Health & Safety

Staff certification: The team leader is a certified Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician and first aid/CPR instructor. Basic first aid and CPR training will be made available to all team members.

Medical needs: Medical kits that include first-aid supplies for general accidents and ailments are provided for each site. We will also carry a Trauma Kit in the van, which will have medications like Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Benadryl and Imodium on hand. We make these available to adult team members for their sole discretionary use. We ask that team members bring their own medications like Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Benadryl and Imodium as they deem necessary, as well as any prescription medications and eyeglasses/contact lenses.

MISSION TRIP PACKING LIST  

• SERVANT’S HEART

• toothbrush & paste & floss

• razor & shaving cream

• sunburn remedies & sunscreen (very important) & sunglasses

• for those who wear glasses, bring an extra pair

• small pillow

• towels, washcloths & detergent

• deodorant (please!)

• towelette packets (baby wipes)

• soap & shampoo

• feminine hygiene items

• comb & brush

• medicines: antibiotics, vitamins, aspirin, allergy tabs, diarrhea

medicine, antibacterial ointments, Band-aids, etc.

• flashlight & extra batteries

• bottle/canteen for water (relatively large & sealable) – Water is a

MUST!! (Consider using a CamelBak-type hydration pack)

• Bible & journal & pens & Team Notebook

• personal snacks (10 day stash)

• spending money

• camera (cheap) digital or bring with extra film & batteries

• simple gifts

• mosquito repellent

• poncho

• hat/cap & sweat band (broad-brimmed hat for working in sun)

• work gloves (leather)

• work clothes – light cotton best in hot weather (long pants)

• one set of casual clothes for church

• long sleeve shirts

• shorts (modest) and loose fitting shirts/blouses

• underclothes

• bedclothes & robe

• walking shoes/work shoes

• shower slippers

• 2 team mission shirts

• swim suit (optional)

• bag for dirty clothes (optional)

• photos of family, home, school. (Optional)

1. Pack light.

2. Tightly secure any items that may come open while traveling – freezer

bags recommended! Many a team member has had to wear clothing with the fragrant smell of Pepto Bismol or shampoo.

3. Borrow what you can. No sense in making a big investment in shoes and clothing you may only wear on this trip.

4. Break new shoes in before the trip… especially new work boots. Blisters are not a pleasant experience, and they don’t make for the best of moods!

5. Take luggage you don’t mind damaging. Old duffel bags are probably the best.

6. Leave room for souvenirs; otherwise you may be sacrificing your new Reeboks for a local memento.