Located deep in the winds of Pine Ridge Reservation, “Oglala Lakota Community Economic Revival Initiative,” (OLCERI) has been self inspired by Bryan, the ‘land steward,’ an army vet, permaculture enthusiast, out door specialists, community activist, mechanic, and pretty much a do it all kind of guy. A man of practical intelligence, resourcefulness and survival skills, as well as an honorable ranking in the military. But at this phase in Bryan’s life he has dedicated his life to rehabilitating the land on the reservation he grew up on with eco-sustainable and renewable energy projects. More recently his work has gained attention through community project grants, sponsorships, food donation program, volunteer program and educational sanctuary.
Upon our arrival to camp we were greeted by an all night lighting show of a storm, as if we were being initiated, the intensity of the wind and rain grew enough of a concern that holding the tarps over the open entry ways was snapping sounds of distress almost enough to push us into the underground cellar. Thankfully a dear brother of mine that had also grew up on that reservation was maintaining a casual convo as if we weren’t about to be dust in the wind, but it was his calmness that eased up the anxiety into normal occurrences especially in this particular part of the country.
Bryan occasionally has groups visit his land and projects not only for educational purposes but for potential investments and collaboration. We happened to be there during a group visit and caught him speaking on his philosophy of the inverted pyramid as a model of service for the land to the people. For example the pinnacle or point of the upside pyramid is of course pointing downward symbolizing earth and its inhabitants, the service aspect is due to the mysteries of the pyramid itself, not only does it have reputations of being the strongest material form, but just look at the hundreds possibly thousands of pyramids all over the world. The ancients knew that it could collect some type of energy, right now there is a large discipline around pyramid technology and it’s mirad of uses. Even more so look at the shape of a tipi.
After growing up on that land Bryan does speak about the politics around the reservation as being just as influenced by corporate interests as the rest of the country. He speaks carefully of the ‘tribal treaties’ and how the Oglala in particularly did not sign certain treaties which still gives them freedom to the land and it’s resources, whereas other tribes and sub tribes have signed treaties that have forfeited there lands resources. So the economics aspect on ‘federal land’ (reservations) is quite tricky within ‘Tribal Law,’ because it’s there land but it’s not really there land, a perfect example of capitalism in America. It is obvious how how limiting American economics is in the first place so imagine what it’s like on reservations.
On a more eco-note the garden alone is a piece of art, the colors bombard the open air, birds and bees singing with winds. The layered beds strategically slow the movement of water so the plants have time to absorb, and there is a systematic approach of planting days and harvesting days. The Lakota word for green house that is still used on the property is ‘walapini,’ and it is half dug into the earth for an effective cooling system, and has windows only on the east facing windows for sun regulation, but today’s eco-movement calls them ‘earth ships.’ Several times we got to harvest zucchini, tomatoes and watermelon for their food donation program where one day out of the week the less fortunate residents of the reservation come pick out some things from the garden. Whatever is available to pick from the garden that day is what’s for dinner.
Now the camp fire cooked dinners are really special, not only because fire cooked food is much much better, but they allow for great relationships to develop through collective cooperation and preparation, all that work for an enjoyable shared meal is recipe for laughter around the fire. A crafty half cut drum barrel with a lower rectangular extension allows for the coals to be separated from the main drum barrel fire, but that doesn’t mean coffee can’t be cooked up top. These old school methods will eventually have one training to be a good fire tender and cooker no doubt. Which that wisdom has always been taught by the ancestors of that land. That wisdom even talks about the emergence of dance and music was through this very action of fire and food.
OLCERI camp showed us the vital basics and hardcore work it takes to develop an eco-community; such as building adobe/cob living structures, green houses, gardens, wind power, horse duties, compost, kitchen use, fire, water earth ships, permaculture and much more. There is alot of interest in natural building materials such as clay, sand, straw and water, a simple, durable, and ancient technique used for thousands of years because some how the ancestors were living in harmony with the cycles of the earth with out leaving traces of their footprints, maybe not so comfortable in the winters but there’s wasn’t luxuries to compare that life to. Anyway, the process of preparing and making these adobe/cob homes is definitely no easy task with only a few people. Inside the adobe home is the ‘rocket heater’ a massive clay structure that is engineered with complete efficiency to heat up the whole room with only small bits of wood.
Our experience at OLCERI was big reminder of what it takes for fully functioning living community to thrive, the collective cooperation that is required is a life commitment as bryan emphasizes with his army vet hat on. For instance just by casually showing up to that land or any eco-community project you non-verbally agree to an individual responsibility of service and effort otherwise you pose as a burden occupying space. We had so many realizations that community is constantly changing and moving, therefore living and breathing, the food is each ones individual effort that the community requires for constant growth. And it happens to be the challenges that brings the community closer together by highlighting the impurities so that they may be transformed into strengths. Incredible lessons of life dawned upon me In considering that non-action is a disservice, stagnancy is a hassle, laziness to be a burden. Which means everyone including myself needs constant reminders to get things done, it’s not that people are being rude it’s actually that society has replaced these life responsibilities with leisure and city people have to be reminded how to live out in nature. I was also reminded how important proper tools and preparation is to live a community/camp life style.
Facts are that there is not alot of support on the reservations in fact this one is one of the poorest reservations in the country as far as economics, one heart nudging experience from a local women living nearby showed us the black mold, water leaks and floor caving in. The tribe has told her for months they were going to take care of it, but no action. Which is exactly why eco-communities are doing what they are doing so we the people can take care of each other instead of relying on a faulty system.
As the theme of my blogs, there are many eco-communities already in motion that have volunteer programs, which is the best way to get involved because of the direct experience. But of course there are other ways to get involved from a far, simply by spreading awareness and sharing the project online or directly by donations of resources and/or funds, as well sharing any available grants.
OLCERI FB: https://www.facebook.com/OLCERI/
Photo credit: Marwin Productions
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