Matikuye Oyasin: A Journey to the Pine Ridge Reconciliation Center

From June 29th-July 4th, Associate to the Bishop, Director for Evangelical Mission, Pastor Dara Clifford was able to join her church, St. Mark’s, Neenah on an immersion trip to the Pine Ridge Reconciliation Center in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. With support from a Doing A New Thing fund curiosity grant, this trip was about accompaniment, learning, and relationship, and was a transformative experience for all who went.

The Oglala Lakota Nation resides on the Pine Ridge Reservation, an area grappling with significant challenges including high poverty and unemployment rates, widespread addiction, and low life expectancy. The Pine Ridge Reconciliation Center, a ministry supported by the South Dakota Synod, the ELCA Churchwide organization, and numerous partner congregations and friends nationwide, addresses these issues through various programs. These include a job corp, children's programming, energy matching grants, a day shelter for the underhoused, and cultural immersion trips.

St. Mark’s has been in relationship with the Pine Ridge Reconciliation center since about 2019. In that time they have supported the center with both prayer and financial support, and have taken two immersion trips. Their model of partnership is one of accompaniment and relationship.

Watch the video below to learn more and visit the website of the Pine Ridge Reconciliation Center.