Hope is theme of Pine Ridge reservation campaign

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – A campaign on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to raise awareness about the high rate of suicide among the reservation’s youth is reminding them what all of them can have – hope.

The rate of suicide on the reservation is at least 150 percent higher than the national average. In 2009, the Oglala Sioux Tribe declared a state of emergency because of state of suicides on the reservation, which also has high rates of unemployment, violence and alcoholism.

As part of the Lakota Voice Project, organizers gave about 200 disposable cameras to elementary and middle school students on the reservation, who were told to document what hope means to them.

“We really didn’t give the students any instructions, no limitations. We didn’t control it. Basically, the only question we gave them was, `What does hope look like to you?”’ said Jason Alley with the American Advertising Federation of the Black Hills, which been working with students from a business class at Oglala Lakota College to develop the awareness campaign.

The college students came up with the topic of suicide awareness on their own after a brainstorming session, said Karissa Eifert, also with the American Advertising Federation of the Black Hills.

“Within 20 minutes, the students had decided suicide prevention for youth was the most important thing that needed to happen,” she said. “We learned that every single student in the class had been affected by suicide. Whether it be a close family member or friend, or they had those challenges themselves, every single person on the reservation has been impacted in some way. It’s a huge problem.”

The ultimate goal of the campaign is to obtain funding for a crisis team on the reservation and a suicide hotline. The current local hotline for reservation residents runs only until 5 p.m., at which point residents must call a national number.

Alley said the photos the students took are powerful in their simplicity and execution. Hope for many of the young people meant family, friends and sports.

“When you look at these photos, a lot of them are really common things. There are pets and family and friends and elders. When you think about it, those are the little things that a lot of us disregard,” Alley said. “I think this will allow even elders and community members at large to embrace this idea of the positive and the hope and the beauty that can be found as well.”

The 1,000 photos will be on display Friday at Little Wound Elementary School in Kyle. Legislators and tribal officials have been invited. Billboards and other marketing materials with the photos will also be distributed in the future, and organizers hope to create a traveling exhibit.

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