In mid-July, Proctor students and faculty leaders traveled to the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota to learn from and give back to part of the Lakota Nation. Community service projects and trips have the potential to make meaningful, tangible contributions to communities. Through these experiences, students develop leadership skills and broaden their perspectives. Far too frequently, service trips are viewed as one more activity to check off en route to college. Proctor summer service trips do not follow the traditional model. While students do step firmly outside their comfort zones and learn about themselves through challenges, instead of viewing service through the lens of the individual, the focus is squarely on community.
In South Dakota, Proctor students arrived ready to listen, learn, and assist, sharing their curiosity and energy with the Lakota community. Proctor's connection with the Rosebud community, spanning over four decades, is embodied in the Lakota phrase "Mitakuyé Oyasin," meaning "We are all related." This concept, recognizing the universal connection among all creation, has been woven into Proctor's fabric since the mid-1980s. Read reflections from this year's trip participants below.
"Ultimately, I prefer to see this as an authentic service-learning opportunity for Proctor students and adults. We certainly learned a lot from friends and strangers about Lakota history, culture, religion, and contemporary social dynamics. My sincere hope is that we gave back in meaningful ways relative to what was given to us in terms of time, knowledge, and kindness.
"The impact I hope the trip had on the students is both humility and wonder. We were all humbled by the generosity and kindness of both those we know out there (on Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations) and those new people we met. I think our wonder stems from the resilience of a people and a culture that has for so long been viewed and treated (by our ancestors and government) in horrible ways. I was particularly in awe of a religion and worldview that sees all things on the planet as related and deserving of respect.
"Some of the most meaningful moments of the trip were the moments of learning when JR or Mark White Hat, Duane, Linda (at Tree of Life), Steve (at the buffalo hunt) and many others took the time to explain Lakota culture and the challenges of life on the reservation.
I hope to bring back to Proctor the desire to learn more about Native American history and the Lakota people and to think deeply about how to ensure that our relationship with Rosebud and Pine Ridge is reciprocal and meaningful on both sides."
Brian Didier, History Faculty and Faculty Co-Leader Summer Service Trip
"Throughout my time on Rosebud, I worked in an ‘amazon warehouse,’ tore down a house to its bones, won a sawing race, learned about a Sundance, went to and danced in a powwow, experienced a sweat lodge, watched a Buffalo hunt and beat everyone in BS. Everything I just listed (except the last one) was hard for me, each in their own way. A lot of the things we did on Rosebud were not just physically demanding but emotionally demanding. However, this trip also helped me to grow in ways I didn't know was possible. I learned so much about a culture in a way that is so rare and is really special to Proctor.
The relationship between Proctor and the Lakota Community is a unique one that should be protected and fostered at all costs. I would recommend any and all members of the Proctor community participate in a Rosebud Summer Service Trip." - Alice '26
"The connection between Proctor and the Lakota people is truly unique and very special. One thing that has really stuck with me since I have gotten back from South Dakota is the meaning of the 'y' in the tree at the Sundance. It represents if you have too much good in your life, it ends up being bad. You need to find the balance between good and bad, and that right balance is usually the direct center of the 'y' in the tree." - Gus K. '27
"It was astonishing to watch the participants' growth, insight, and reflection. The students were enthusiastic participants, willingly removing themselves from the day-to-day comforts of their own lives (including phones) to eagerly engage in all aspects of the program. I hope that this amazing group of students will continue to reflect on the experience and remain motivated to contribute positively to this community from afar.
"The opportunity to experience the Lakota culture reinforced and enhanced all that I had learned and my understanding was enhanced through this experiential program. I am inspired to continue learning and to contribute to this program and to the Lakota community on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservation. Overall it was an incredible experience that I highly recommend!"
Kara Hayes, Lead Mental Health Counselor and Faculty Co-Leader Summer Service Trip
"For me personally, one of the most interesting parts of the trip was learning first hand about the Sun Dance on the Pine Ridge reservation. John Around Him and the book Zuya by Albert White Hat Sr. taught us about this ceremony and how every small thing that happens during the four-day ritual means something to the dancers, who deprive themselves of food and water for the entire duration of the dance and dance for hours at a time from dawn until dusk every day of the ritual. It was very interesting to learn about this test of physical strength and perseverance live and to begin to understand how the people in the dance (some younger than we were) are able to continue for four days straight. They usually dance for someone close to them, using the cottonwood tree in the middle of the Sun Dance circle as a conduit to ask creation to help the person they dance for." ~ Gus D. '27
"I saw the strong connection between Proctor and the Lakota people; it is a huge privilege to be able to come out to Rosebud, and it takes a lot of trust from everyone on the reservation. I think every person at Proctor should be taking advantage of this program, going out and helping people who live on Rosebud, getting a deeper understanding of what is going on the reservation, and being able to experience the culture firsthand." ~ Indira '26
Check out more photos from our 2024 Summer Service Trip!
- Equity and Belonging
- Native American Program
- Off-Campus Program