Mitakuye

30/12/2025

Please check out what we have been up to in 2025!

https://mitakuyefoundation.com/2025-year-in-review/

We hope you will please support these kids by donating, sharing, and helping to get the word out!

Donate here: https://mitakuyefoundation.com/donate/

Photo Credit: Hollis Flowers, He Dog School

2025 was another record-breaker at Mitakuye! Here are a few highlights … As […]

05/12/2025

One week left to submit!

We are happy to announce that The Mitakuye Foundation is holding a Special Design Contest, in collaboration with Owaŋg Wašteya Waȟwayela Mani for the Youth Fashion Show during LNI 2025!
Seeking submissions in fashion design, which includes all types of clothing, costume design, and regalia.

Submissions can be drawings, paintings, or full fabcations. The winning designer will be paired with a mentor to fabricate the winning design which will be modeled in next year’s show.

Deadline for submissions is December 10th.
Winners will be notified by December 15th.
Awards will be handed out at the Fashion Show on December 17th.
We accept anything original that that you are inspired to create! The only formats we do not accept are digital programs that use AI.

Every student who submits must have a current release form on file with us (since Fall 2025) or include one with your submission.

Feel free to call or email with questions.

10/08/2025

Help Lakota Kids This School Year!

Reservation schools are severely underfunded and most offer little to no arts education. The Mitakuye School Arts Program provides arts curriculum, developed by master art teachers and art therapists; arts instruction, via filmed art lessons; and art supplies, that we purchase and deliver to schools. Our program serves over 3,000 kids on Pine Ridge, Rosebud, and surrounding reservations and communities.

Check out more about our School Arts Programs here: https://mitakuyefoundation.com/school-arts-2023-2024/

But we need your help! Reservation schools are now facing an even deeper crises this year as funding to tribal schools, and many of the organizations that support them, has just been cut by the federal government.

We hope you will please share and please donate to help us to continue bringing the healing power of art to as many young people as we can this schools year!

Donate Here: https://mitakuyefoundation.com/donate/

Wopila!

Photo by Dede Farrar, Batesland School

03/12/2024

Awesome!

https://www.usfigureskating.org/news/article/discovering-passion-unexpected-place-tristan-pond-finds-rapid-success-rapid-city?fbclid=IwY2xjawG8YEBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQ80k0nwnyPJy_QNcXw-5nCF0ZZlmBNq6_XEAD7C1SZd_Vs8PmTYqGXXKQ_aem_dLMph7YM8X1DkoHqsb5czA

Inspired by Olympic champion Nathan Chen, Tristan Pond has set his skating journey in motion and is moving up the ranks in a hurry.

18/10/2024

Heartbroken about the tragic loss of these young guys who were our students, friends, and runners in the Sacred Hoop Run! Juan Ramos, Alex Ramos-American Horse, Daniel White Face, and their friend Atreyu Thorson were killed in a fatal car crash early Sunday Morning. Posting on behalf of their families who would be grateful for any help you can offer to assist with funeral expenses.

To help Daniel's family:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-honor-daniel-white-faces-memory?attribution_id=sl:bb426bbc-ca90-465d-8083-2838cebbd1cf&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash_ai&utm_content=amp8_t4&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=facebook

To help Juan & Alex’s family:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/assist-juan-and-alexs-family-in-their-loss?attribution_id=sl:ceeb1337-fc59-4357-8a9b-e97e9e49d559&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp8_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=native_options

Hello, on October 13th Juan Ramos & Alex Ramos Americanhorse were… Diana Tax-Cervantes needs your support for Assist Juan and Alex's Family in Their Loss

17/06/2024

PLEASE SHARE!!

The 500 Mile Sacred Hoop Run is on and the runners need your help! Every year since 2012 we have supported this important event with t-shirts, gas, food, and supplies. Thank you to everyone who has helped out this year so far to get the T-shirts covered and shouts out to Chris Englemann and his World Effort foundation for their support with shoes, tents, and a van for the runners! We are still in need of funds to help cover the costs of food and gas. They will be out there for the next 6 days running with prayers - so please donate what you can and help us get the word out! Wopila! https://mitakuyefoundation.com/donate/

22/04/2024

Thrilled to announce a very special event:

Lakota elder and medicine man Richard Moves Camp will be in Los Angeles to discuss his new book “My Grandfather’s Altar: Five Generations of Lakota Holy Men”. The book was edited by Simon J. Joseph, Ph.D., produced by Jennifer Jessum, published by University of Nebraska Press and created under the auspices of the Mitakuye Foundation. The event will also feature the Kalifornia Ramblers Drum Group and Traditional Flutist Carlos Reynosa, and will be followed by a light reception.

This is a rare opportunity to meet a holy man of this stature. Seating for this event is limited and tickets will go fast. RSVP is required: https://religion.ucla.edu/event/five-generations-of-lakota-holy-men/

Information on the book and how to purchase is here: https://simonjjoseph.com/books/my-grandfathers-altar/

Richard Moves Camp, in conversation with the editor and producer of his book My Grandfather’s Altar: Five Generations of Lakota Holy Men, shares stories from this oral-literary narrative account of five...

02/04/2024

TODAY is my FAVORITE DAY!!! I couldn’t be more proud of Simon J. Joseph and all of the good he puts out into the world! He's gonna blush - but I am allowed to celebrate my man on his birthday!! New year! New class! New publications! New website! Happy Birthday to my favorite human!❤

This fascination ultimately led me to the academic study of religion and the pursuit of a Master’s degree in Religious Studies from New York University and a Ph.D. in Religion from Claremont Graduate University.

26/12/2023

Our End-Of-Year fundraising campaign is happening now! Your generous donations will help us bring more arts education and opportunities into more young people's lives in 2024! You can donate HERE: https://mitakuyefoundation.com/donate/

We hope you will please SHARE and help us get the word out! Wopila!

24/11/2023

Celebrating these kids and their amazing creativity today! Some sneak peaks from the summer film project. Students created 3 dimensional Nature Spirit designs from all natural materials. They worked in design teams and in front of and behind the camera to bring the project to life. More updates and BTS coming soon …