Featured photograph is of sun setting at camp
Generations Indigenous Ways is a community based Native nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering American Indian youth with the knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education enhanced by Oglala Lakota values and way of life using Indigenous Sciences. Click HERE to make a donation
About Generations Indigenous Ways
We provide year-round education programs for American Indian students from the large land base of the Seven Council Fires, which covers the state of South Dakota. We are

Generations Indigenous Ways offers a K-12th grade Indigenous Science curriculum that incorporates Oglala Lakota Culture and Western Sciences. This curriculum is derived from the Medicine Wheel Model that was established by the successful outcomes of the Native Science Field Centers at Hopa Mountain and on the Blackfeet Reservation.
Click HERE to support Generations Indigenous Ways
Camps
The goal of the Lakota Summer Science Field Institute is to motivate youth to discover and explore science, technology, engineering, and math. Youth will learn how physics, mathematics, and the scientific method are required and used in designing a traditional
– “Lakota Physics Camp” June 5-9, 2017
– “Journey through the our Ancestral Lands”
June 26-29, 2017 & July 3-6, 2017
After School Program
Our afterschool program is called: “Ithacan Kigali” -Creating Leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
The programming is modeled to teach leadership skills, as well as, fundamental aspects of college preparation.
The current locations are at the American Horse School in Allen, SD and the Crazy Horse School in Wanblee, SD.
Topics and Activities include:
Wolakota (Oglala Lakota way of life) Leadership (Oglala Lakota Kinship)
Community involvement-Service Learning Projects
Environmental Stewardship
Buffalo Sciences
Native Medicinal Plants
Astronomy (Creation stories, constellations, special sky events)
Geology (Creation Stories, Lakota land uses)
Equine Sciences (Lakota Horsemanship)
Oglala Lakota Physics (Archery, Lodge building, Fluvial Morpholo
Executive Director – Helene Gaddie
I first met Helene Gaddie, one of the founders, while teaching art at Little Wound School on Pine Ridge in 1992. Helene, an 8th grader at the time, exhibited leadership qualities, and has proven her ability to lead youth by developing this remarkable “Generations Indigenous Ways” science and culture program for k12 youth. Please take the time to read and view their video. Then, please support them with a donation.
Thank You,
Rachel Tilseth ~ author of WODCW Blog
What a wonderful idea. It isn’t very often that there is an opportunity to experience the cultural life of such an admired Tribe.
I first met Helene, one of the founders, while teaching art on Pine Ridge. She is a remarkable leader!