(SIOUX CITY, IA) - Keeping kids out of trouble isn't always easy, but one group of Siouxlanders is trying with a unique program. "Native Youth Standing Strong" families and friends gathered Tuesday night at the Scottish Rite Temple in downtown Sioux City.
It was an evening dedicated to showing pride for the program. The celebration began with a native song using a special drum labeled especially for the group.
Then, the speakers started their speeches reaching out to the crowd about how "Standing Still" makes them proud.
"I was on probation, recently got off probation, but for me what it did was exceeded my life completely about what I could have done for myself," said Deena Flute Player.
It all started almost five years ago as a small idea.
"Three native elders came to me as a probation officer and said, hey we would like to start a program and we'd like some support in working together on this program. We want it to be a cultural and spiritual program," said Will Meier, a NYSS volunteer and juvenile probation officer.
That idea sprouted into an organization that meets every week. It's the reason a large, diverse crowd came together Tuesday to celebrate.
"It is very important and it doesn't happen very often it seems like," said Meier.
"We share that good-heartedness with each other and it's a good connection. It feels really good," said Flute Player.
NYSS members weren't the only ones who stepped up to the podium. City councilman John Fitch spoke about his struggles as a teenager. Woodbury County Supervisor George Boykin also took the microphone. Both gave credit to the program for guiding young people down the right path.
"It feels good to have them here. Hope that we can teach them more than what they already know or what they've learned from their upbringing themselves," said Flute Player.
"As probation officers, as department of human service workers, I think as a whole we've learned a lot. And for myself, I'm a better probation officer for what I've learned," said Meier.
"It's opened so many doors to meet different people, learn about my own culture, but other tribes that aren't even my tribe and really just open up my eyes to spirituality, happiness, being centered and everything," said Flute Player.
The speakers said NYSS still has a long way to go, but they look forward to continuing to encourage native youth for years to come.
