The stressful nature of the work led to an extremely high turnover in staff. Another struggle was the lack of community support, and poor treatment facilities. Eventually these difficulties were overcome. Today our centre is headed by a Lakota staff who are mostly bilingual and certified by the Northern Plains Native American Chemical Dependency Association. The program offers services to young people, ages 12 through 17, and their families.
Every day begins and ends with burning sage, sweetgrass or cedar in and around the facility.
Everyday, the grandfather and grandmother spirits are given food and every day begins and ends with blessing. Most of the staff participate in the sweat lodge ceremonies and other ceremonies along with the young people and their families. Our philosophy includes the belief that the Lakota Oyate have endured hundreds of years of grief, pain, and loss. This has led to generational pain and shame and each generation was led to cope with this pain, shame and grief through the use of alcohol and other drugs. Our hope for the Lakota Oyate is the young people and this hope is built on a foundation of spirituality, a natural relationship with the earth and a sense of balance within the self.