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The Washington Post

3/22/2011 12:00:00 AM

Archie and friends get a lesson from Jason Witten, MADD on underage drinking and peer pressure

By Associated Press, Monday, March 21, 6:46 PM

PHILADELPHIA — There’s a MADD Cowboy on the loose at Riverdale High, but that’s no reason to panic.

The cowboy in question is Jason Witten, tight end for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. And he’s talking about the dangers of underage drinking as part of a Mothers Against Drunk Driving program that appeals not to just Archie, Jughead and the others, but to teenagers and parents in the real world, too.

“The whole idea here is prevention. To prevent kids from drinking,” Victor Gorelick, president and editor-in-chief of Archie Comics, told The Associated Press. “But a lot of parents know that this can be a big problem with teenagers, yet they have problems talking to their kids.”

So, in a bid to help bridge that gap, MADD contacted Archie Comics about PowerTalk 21, an April 21 national event that seeks to have parents talking to their children about underage drinking.

“One of the things that was discussed was the possibility of doing a story, involving Jason Witten,” Gorelick said. “Riverdale is his first stop and that he’s going to other schools, too.”

And that’s what transpires in “Archie Double Digest” No. 217, out this week in comic shops, which opens with prom around the corner and plans for a party with parents out of town.

“We’ve always tried to keep Archie up with the times,” Gorelick said. “The story is not that long — only about eight pages, and it’s entertaining, but it gets the message across at the same time.”

That message is a frank and open talk about the perils of peer pressure and underage drinking, an issue that MADD CEO Kimberly Earle told AP was crucial in getting to teens and young adults.

“It’s been a fantastic partnership and a fantastic way to get the word out,” she said of PowerTalk 21, adding they were able to “reach a whole new audience.”

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Online:

http://www.archiecomics.com

http://www.madd.org

New Partnership with NAAP

3/17/2011 12:00:00 AM

NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH NAAP

Winner, SD- The Native American Advocacy Program (NAAP) of Winner, SD begins a new and rewarding partnership with Hope Haven International Ministries (HHIM) of Sioux Falls SD to meet the need for refurbished wheelchairs for tribal members with disabilities throughout South Dakota. NAAP provides independent living services to tribal members with disabilities throughout South Dakota and has seen a serious need for refurbished wheelchairs. Wheelchairs for tribal members wear out at twice the rate than those living in any metropolitan area due to lack of side walks, poor roads and lack of general accessibility. “Most are on fixed incomes and have no resources to make repairs themselves and Medicaid only assists with replacement once every 7 years” reports Chuck Bull Bear, Independent Living Specialist for NAAP. Recently a television ad for Hope Haven was noticed and resulted in Chuck meeting with, touring and delivering the first set of wheelchairs for refurbishing to Hope Haven International Ministries located in Sioux Falls.

Hope Haven has provided mobility resources to thousands of people in more than 100 countries since 1994. Over 60 inmates from the South Dakota State Penitentiary complete the work of refurbishing wheelchairs and crafting seating systems for as well as crafting new pediatric wheelchairs for children with significant disabilities, such as cerebral palsy.

Marla C. Bull Bear , M.A. , Executive Director of NAAP commends HHIM for their openness to helping people locally. “ tribal nations have long suffered from unemployment, high rates of disability and health problems comparable to third world countries and it is so rewarding so see this group reach out to the needs of people virtually in our their own back yard” “ I applaud their global effort and know that now tribal members that receive the gift of mobility will also respond with gratitude and appreciation for their caring and support.”

NAAP is now calling for tribal members from Indian Country throughout South Dakota to contact them if they are in need of a refurbished wheel chair. By calling 1-800-303-3975 NAAP staff can assist them by picking up their damaged or worn out wheel chair and replacing it with a completely refurbished chair. They also will take walkers and rolators for repair and replacement.

Red Ribbon Week October 18-22, 2009

10/18/2009 12:00:00 AM

A living snow globe erupted in South Elementary Counselor Haelee Engel’s garage the middle of October as volunteers helped prepare for a Red Ribbon Week project. After a month of planning with Principal Patrice Wright and collaborating with Diane Linster, TCHS National Honor Society Advisor, and Megan Garcia, Native American Advocacy Program Tobacco Prevention Specialist, work had begun. One hundred and eighty Styrofoam tombstones were cut by hand by the NHS volunteers, Thorne Oliver, Nellie Two Elk, and Shaydie Engel, and 09 TC Graduate Josh Larson.

The high school volunteers and Megan Garcia then entered the South Elementary and Alternative Campus Education (ACE) classrooms to help students assemble their memorial tombstone for Red Ribbon Week. While in the classrooms, they also helped the counselor teach about the effects of drugs, alcohol, and commercial tobacco. Each student made a headstone commemorating the life of a friend, family member or famous person that has passed away due to the effects of drugs, alcohol, or smoking.

Every tombstone has Mitakuye Oyasin, “All my relatives”, inscribed on it, as the students learned that every drug related death, whether family or famous, affects our circle. The headstones were displayed at the top of the bus circle and have a very powerful impact on viewers. The tombstones stood throughout Red Ribbon Week as a symbol of the impact drugs and alcohol have on our community.

Young Mens Camp

10/10/2009 12:00:00 AM

2nd Young Men’s Fall Camp Held

Milks Camp SD., On October 9-12th Chaperones, helpers and 17 youth from across south central South Dakota from western Todd County to Clay County gathered for a cultural camping experience that most have never had. Native Youth ages 11years old to 19 years old attended. They had good weather early Friday afternoon to set up their Tipesola ( tipis) that would be their home for the next few days. The fall weather quickly turned to winter with the first evening being blustery and cold. The group stayed warm in their lodges and enjoyed playing traditional native hand games lead by Cultural Activities Specialist, Steve Tamayo, went well into the night. The programming for the camp mixes cultural Lakota teachings and activities and various life skill trainings throughout their stay. Marla C. Bull Bear, M.A., Executive Director for the Native American Advocacy Program, host organization, taught QPR, a suicide prevention, life saving intervention for teens and adults. Other educational sessions included 13 youth participants taking and passing the Hunt Safe course offered by Chuck Bull Bear, Certified Instructor. The whole group enjoyed story telling and cultural teachings offered by Jerome Kills Small, Professor in the Lakota Studies Dept. of USD, Vermillion. Other activities include equine life skills and safety session with Equine Specialists, Ashley Hanson, Neil Hanson and Marla Bull Bear, Certified Equine Assisted Life Skills Therapist.
The young men were constantly challenged by the elements and acknowledged a much deeper appreciation for their ancestors, their skill, endurance and perseverance. With Judy Hanson as head cook and other helpers to support the boys, Brandon Andrews, Nick Fast Horse, Curtis Hanson, and Mitch Bull Bear, the young men had a strong support system. The Camp was cut short when the forecast became threatening Sunday afternoon. So, with military efficiency, the group packed up camp, and still had time to shoot sporting clays before breaking camp for home. One young man, commented that he and several of the others decided that they would have no problem “living here!” The group made it clear to the adults that they were to be informed of the next camp with their intentions of coming back “at least until they are 19 year old and they maybe they’d could be a camp mentor!”

Wicoti Tiwahe in Milks Camp Week Long Camp – Fences and Horses!

6/22/2009 12:00:00 AM

(Milks Camp, SD) - The Wicoti Tiwahe (family camp) of the Native American Advocacy Program, located in Milks Camp community was filled with volunteers and youth the week of June 22 through the 26th. The first two days of the week started with 15 volunteers from Cherry Creek Church of Illinois helping the youth and camp staff to put up a lodge-pole fence around the camp area. Adults and youth worked, laughed and played together and in the midst of it got ¾ of the fence completed.

Youth from Milks Camp, Gregory, White River and Mc Laughlin came to help with the fence and Tree of Life Ministries of Mission helped to coordinate the volunteer help from Illinois. The volunteers stayed at the camp with the staff and youth and learned to set up their own tipi lodge and found them sleeping in a tipi for the first time! The group’s leaders said they loved the experience and plan to come back in the future. Good friends were made and all their hard work was very much appreciated.

The camp then transitioned to the activities of the Horse Camp that had been post -poned due to a death in the community and had over 15 youth and family members participate from White River, Mission, Rosebud, Gregory, Milks Camp, Mc Laughlin and Stewart Nebraska. Due to the unexpected changes in the camp schedule the lodge pole trip is being scheduled at later date.

Equine assisted life skills were the focus of the camp with sessions on safety covered at the beginning of each session. Youth learned about the horse nation and how to develop healthy and safe relationships that included; respect, trust, self reliance, confidence and how to engage in creative problem solving. Obstacle courses, team building activities and basics in horsemanship and horse care were also covered during the camp week. RST Diabetes Program assisted with healthy food for the campers and the watermelon was a hit in the hot weather that week.

Earl Bullhead provided specific cultural education session, involving story telling, cultural teachings, Lakota language, traditional tobacco use and how to live a healthy lifestyle. Breaks in between sessions included, playing hand games, swimming at the local pool and playing badminton, shooting hoops and other ball games thanks to the donations by the Tree of Life Ministries for sporting equipment. As with most of the camps that have been held at Wicoti Tiwahe a campers birthday was celebrated, Rachel Emery honored the group by celebrating her 13th birthday at the camp and all shared cake and ice cream. As always the last day found the camper reluctant to leave and wanting to come to another. ” The horses were great “read one of the participant evaluations; another said “I’m not afraid of horses anymore!”

NAAP will now be preparing to assist families with the Isnati Awica Lowanpi ( girls coming of age ceremony) to start August 6-9th at the Wicoti Tiwahe encampment. Families interested in this ceremony are encouraged to call 1-800-303-3975 as soon as possible as planning meetings will be set soon.