08/24/2026
🌿 DAY 2 OF OUR YOUNG WOMEN’S RETREAT 🌿
Day 2 was another beautiful day filled with learning, connecting, and spending time on the land. ❤️ We spent the day with Tuwin, our Leksi from Wheaton College, and Leksi Pastor John as we explored the Black Hills and learned more about its natural and cultural history.
🌲 We started our morning by heading to the Wheaton campus and taking part in the Black Hills Natural & Cultural History Workshop, where we learned about:
📍 Diagrams of the uplift of the Black Hills
🗺️ Maps of the Black Hills
🏕️ Wheaton College Field Station
💧 Pactola Dam & Reservoir
🏔️ Rochford
🌿 Pe’ Sla
🦊 Black Fox Valley
We learned about the different trees and plants throughout the Black Hills, including the beautiful ponderosa pine 🌲 and aspen trees, and gained a deeper understanding of the land around us.
We then headed to Pactola Lake, where we were able to see the drastic increase in the water levels and talk about the importance of water and the land. 💧
From there, we traveled to Pe’ Sla, where we learned more about its meaning, history, and significance.
🌿 We also had the opportunity to learn about the headwaters of Rapid Creek, seeing where the water begins its journey through the Black Hills before eventually making its way toward Rapid City. It was meaningful for the young women to see this place in person and understand how connected our communities are to the creeks, springs, forests, and mountains around us. We talked about how important it is to protect these waters because they are part of the land, history, and life of the Black Hills. 💧🌲
But our FAVORITE part of the day was definitely Black Fox Valley! 🦊🌄 We got to take in the beautiful scenery, enjoy nature, and learn about the deeper significance of this special place.
Days like this remind us how important it is to get our young women out on the land, learning from our relatives, our elders, and those willing to share their knowledge with us. ❤️🌿
We are so thankful for Tuwin, our Leksi from Wheaton College, and Leksi Pastor John for spending the day with us and sharing their knowledge. It was truly an amazing experience! ✨
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