Death is also a looming and known presence. Rates of suicide are three times the national average. Among minors, suicide is often looked at as a way out. Members of the Simply Smiles staff were devastated by the death of a beloved 12-year-old, Tanner, at the end of last year as a result of persistent bullying. Death due to poor health (i.e., diabetes, stroke and diet-related illnesses) are inordinately high compared to that of the rest of the U.S.
Perhaps the most astounding and disheartening statistic concerns funeral attendance. Off the reservation, children can expect to attend an average of four (4) funerals before they reach adulthood. On the Rez, a child attends an average of 122 funerals by the age of 18. It should also be noted that in a town with about 200 residents, La Plant has four cemeteries. During my one-week stay, I saw two hearses drive by the community center along Highway 212.
When such hardship and despair are commonplace from a young age, what are the prospects of Lakota youth? Well, while there are no quick solutions, there are glimmers of hope, which is the underlying mission of Simply Smiles. The Simply Smiles summer programs are a much needed escape and safe space for the children, away from the boredom, monotony and uncertainty of their home lives during the school-free months. The Big Red Bus - the unofficial mascot of Simply Smiles - picked up the kids at their homes and brought them to the community center for sports, games, arts and crafts, reading and garden projects. A swimming trip to the nearby Missouri River was a highlight of my experience, as we, the volunteers, paired up with our little buddies and witnessed pure joy on their faces. They got to be kids and not worry for a few hours.
At the end of summer camp, the bus would drop the children back at their homes. And, fortunately, there were often town-wide nights or meals for which they could return with or without their relatives. Wednesday morning was town-wide breakfast, complete with Bryan wielding a spatula holster for omelets. Wednesday was swimming day for the town and Thursday was movie night. Friday, the final night of the summer program for the year, was a pizza dinner and the much-anticipated guitar recital, run by the very talented Kristen Graves, Connecticut troubadour and Bryan's better half.
BINGO night on Tuesday was one of my favorite activities. My swimming buddy, Ashlyn, asked me to play with her. And, not to gloat, but she won, not once, but twice, after never having played before! It's typical of American millenials to expect rewards, the luxury of choice and to be constantly doted on as individuals. So, many of us may view prizes such as coloring books, a Wal-Mart gift card or a T-shirt as less than an adequate recognition of our successes. Yet, as was reiterated several times throughout my stay in La Plant, especially when Ashlyn won, it's about that prize or shared moment that can represent, establish and reiterate an individual's sense of self-worth and become a defining moment in his or her life. They matter, are cared about as individuals and as a member of the community. This acknowledgement has the potential to reverberate into other parts of their lives. As Sam Steinmetz, one of my brother's co-workers and long-time friends, suggested, "We're going for the little victories."
To return, for a moment, to the significance of the Big Red Bus. It represents that we're all on board, quite literally in the transport of the children and, sometimes, their family members to and from home. Figuratively, the bus and its bold color is a symbol that Simply Smiles, its staff and its volunteers are not going anywhere. The kids have come to recognize the bus and organization as a part of the community. Bryan, Kristen, Zach, Sam, Josh, Gaby, Jamie, Dave, Emma and the volunteers have forged meaningful relationships with the children and many of their families. As the home base, the community center is a common ground, where family feuds can be set aside for some peace and laughter.
For the community and broader Lakota culture that have been so neglected, abused and disenfranchised by imperialism and heavy-handed, rigid religious ideologies, the Big Red Bus and Simply Smiles, especially as a secular organization, are much needed vectors of change that have already forged new, inclusive and thoughtful ties. Simply Smiles is neutral, meaning that is not affiliated with any religious creed, political organization or any potentially polarizing entity. This is one of the organization's strengths and what I view as one the driving forces behind its ability to accomplish so much in such a short amount of time.
And, if you were wondering, the same girl who "welcomed" me to the community rewarded me with the biggest hug that I've received in my life at the end of the week. From being punched to a hug in a week? My whole body hurt the next day, but I'm still marking it as progress in our relationship.
