Public Boarding School

On the reservation, they actually have public boarding schools. The dorms, coed, house kids from elementary on up, with most of the boarders being high schoolers. The kids could go home on the weekends, but as we found out, most do not want to go home. For most of these kids, home is world of alcohol and poverty; school is a world of clean and attention. Apparently, the calendar here evolves around the 1st of the month, when welfare checks are handed out. At this time, kids get excited about new possibilities with their parents and often return unsatisfied and angry. Also, drug and alcohol abuse are rampent in the dorms. However, I did not leave this school on a discouraging note. Lakota as a language is being taught again. The staff seemed affectionate and optimistic. The leadership is quality. Last night I heard about another program designed to help youth stay off drugs and alcohol. Again, a program where the leadership is quality; however, the government has not renewed the funding for this program. Tonight...the women's basketball team...