9/24/14
It is hard to believe that once again I have come to the end of my internship. It seems like only last week I started clocking in again. I have enjoyed my internships and learned much. This is not my first time on a reservation. It is however, the first time I have had the opportunity to really take more time to visit and see more of the community. What I’ve seen are struggles and triumphs that people anywhere in this nation have. Some are distinct to the community. But no matter the differences one word is important. Community. A community is people living together. Sometimes they may bicker or there may be things people don’t agree with, but at the end of the day, community comes together. Here on the Ponca Tribe of OK reservation it is in visiting one’s family. In the Native way there are no strangers. In the Native communities, family is blood but it is also much more than that. It is community, and all are related whether it’s in the biological sense or a concept that one has to experience to truly understand. My internship was more about the farm and reaching out to the community. Some would think volunteer and I did at the Mud Run. Though not formally. I came to support my supervisor, but I ended up participating also. Before however, I helped in the set up in carrying food and water. I helped set up the food for the runners. Also I thought to get more personal. To experience people one to one. To to talk with and listen to stories, joys and worries. To be of service where I could. I also worked the concession booth at Ponca Powwow and started delivering eggs to community members. With the Mud Run held by the Wellness Center I ran and played and got muddy with a community. It is these little things that I think not only show what a community is all about, it’s also a way of reaching out as well.
Some of what I worked on or achieved on the farm are helping with the construction of the chicken house, more in depth care of the animals and the beginnings of working with cattle. I also assisted in the catching plucking and gutting of roosters butchered at the farm. We did this a few weeks ago. Though this internship is done I continue to learn everyday. I want to thank everyone at Ogallala commons and my Supervisors Anita Harmon and Veronica Dicus. I also want to take this time to thank Amos Hinton, if it weren’t for meeting him and him telling me about the initial internship, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Wouldn’t have learned what I have. Nor would I have met the great people I am working with. I really feel I am at the start of a new and exciting chapter as a result. Thank you all very much. Thank you Ogallala Commons for giving this city girl from out east a chance.
