Rosebud Summer Service Trip 2025: The Power of Reciprocal Relationships

In July, Proctor students and faculty leaders once again traveled to the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota to learn from and give back to members of the Lakota community on the Rosebud Reservation. This Summer Service Trip challenged fourteen participants to navigate the complexities of group dynamics and leadership, cultural respect, and meaningful service within a community that has welcomed Proctor for over four decades.

The work this summer was both physically demanding and fulfilling. Students spent two days under the hot South Dakota sun, disassembling and rebuilding a ceremonial Inipi sweat lodge at Sicangu Owayawa Oti in Mission, South Dakota, clearing tall weeds, moving earth, and building a long bench for the sacred space. The pride they felt participating in the ceremonial sweat in the newly rebuilt lodge spoke to something deeper than typical service – it was an invitation into a relationship forged in the 1980s when Proctor faculty member George Emeny first traveled to South Dakota and formed a friendship with Albert White Hat Sr. This relationship has brought the White Hat and Around Him families to New Hampshire, numerous faculty, staff, and students to South Dakota, and continues to shape both communities generations later.

Some of the biggest challenges weren't found in the physical labor. Managing the dynamics of fourteen people – cooking, cleaning, organizing camp, and balancing when to lead and when to follow – was also an important part of the learning experience. Students discovered joy in simple moments –  bus rides across the plains, watching sunrises, cowboy camping under vast skies, and problem-solving how to build something from scratch alongside their peers. The group also grappled with the weight of history, visiting Wounded Knee and working to reconcile the beautiful scenery with painful truths. 

Members of the Proctor community experienced what it means to be honored guests in a community that continues to teach Proctor about generosity, shared humanity, and the reciprocal nature of authentic relationships. Read reflections from several of this year's trip participants below.

The Relationship Between Proctor and Lakota Communities

"I think the relationship is important, particularly for the Proctor students who go on the service-learning trip. The relationship is also important for the Lakota students and families who get to attend Proctor. My hope is to further expand that circle of people involved in that relationship by bringing more Lakota and native American students to Proctor and by exposing more Proctor students to Lakota and Native American history."
~ Brian Didier, History Faculty

“Being invited as guests of the Lakota on the Rosebud Reservation is truly the highest honor bestowed on Proctor students. The Lakota philosophy of balance and compassion resonates differently with each participant of the program; each of us returns to the Proctor community with fresh insight—and the real sense that we've participated in changing someone's life for the better."
~ Amena ’26

"The relationship between Proctor and the Lakota community on the Rosebud Reservation is very special and one the school should continue and expand. Going out to the reservation and learning about this culture, and even having the opportunity to witness and learn about some of their rituals, is incredibly lucky. We were told while we were there that many of the ceremonies across the reservation were still closed to outsiders. Not many people have the opportunity to learn about the Lakota people in this way, so our relationship as a school with that community is incredibly important to maintain. It teaches everyone who goes out there about the people and their pained history and now their recovery."
~ Gus '27

"I continue to be amazed by the generosity of our friends and hosts on the Lakota reservations. While we're there, they offer us so much in terms of time, energy, and wisdom. The service we offer is our chance to give something back."
~ Brian Didier, History Faculty

"Our friends at Rosebud opened their homes and lives to us. From sleeping under the stars at JR and Jess White Hat's ranch to visiting the horse ranch Mark White Hat works to being present at John John Around Him's ceremony, we were taught acceptance and grace by all we met."
~ Lynne Bartlett, Science Faculty

On Service and Work

"Our group temporarily disassembled a ceremonial Inipi sweat lodge at Sicangu Owayawa Oti in Mission, SD. We cleared the space of tall weeds, did earth work and rebuilt the lodge stronger. We designed and made a long bench for the space. It was two days of solid, hard work in the hot sun. We were invited to then participate in a ceremonial Inipi sweat in the newly built lodge and felt a sense of pride in knowing how much care and teamwork go into the structure."
~ Lynne Bartlett

"This is an incredible program, one that as many people should take advantage of as possible. It is a special opportunity to get to learn about and understand the Lakota people and their culture."
~ Gus '27

On Learning and Respect

"Being able to go out to South Dakota and be on the reservation more than once, I have found a deeper understanding and respect for the Lakota culture and how life-changing the experience is."
~ Talia ’27

“This year, our group visited the site of the Wounded Knee massacre. We saw so many beautiful scenes leading up to this day. It was difficult to reckon with this piece of history. We spent time at the site talking with a knowledgeable individual who kindly gave us some sage."
~ Lynne Bartlett

On Important Lessons and Advice

"John Around Him (from the Pine Ridge Reservation) made a compelling point when he said, 'Don't put me on a pedestal just because I'm Indian.' He reminded us that we're all just human."
~ Brian Didier

"Never be upset if something doesn't go the way you expected. You never know what you're going to end up doing. Sometimes, you don't have a plan for the day, and you just have to wake up and be ready to do what needs to be done. You just have to prepare yourself for anything."
~ Talia ’27

“If I could share only one message with the Proctor community, it would be to take the leap and go on the trip! The Rosebud program is transformative for each participant in differing and completely unexpected ways. On Rosebud, you learn things about yourself, your peers, and humanity as a whole that you would never otherwise realize.”
~ Amena ’26

Proctor's Long-term Connection

"Collectively, our summer service and faculty professional development groups spend a significant part of the summer in South Dakota. We have students and faculty who keep returning to this beautiful landscape and welcoming community. Our Mini Bus, emblazoned with the name PROCTOR, rolls across the plains and through the communities of Rosebud, Mission, Pine Ridge, and more. We're recognized and welcomed by the Lakota families, which feels so nice. Proctor's connection to the White Hat and Around Him families, to name a few, spans generations, and we are fortunate to spend time alongside them, learning, working, talking, singing, and laughing."
~ Lynne Bartlett