Reflections on Volunteering

As a Red Cloud Volunteer, I learned many lessons. A few pertinent ones that stick out:

• I learned that no one is less than
• I learned that things happen when they need to happen
• I learned that we are all related
• I learned that there is always something that will shock you, there will always be something in this world that you never thought you could have ever imagined to be true
• I learned that historical trauma is part of our collective story, that all that has happened before will always have an affect on what comes after
• I learned that the US government has failed to honor any treaties with native peoples in North America
• I learned that children are sacred - they are the most recent ones to join us so they require the most guidance and support to learn what it is to be a person
• I learned that its really hard to listen when everything is being so loud - patience is most difficult when all you want to do is shout back
• Trust your gut feelings; but make sure your hear agrees with your gut