Emma Ngati
9/27/2017
I
honestly wasn’t sure what to expect to see getting in the vans this morning. I
started the day with relatively low spirits as the stresses of not completing
all my homework over the summer bore a weight on my shoulders. Traveling
through South Dakota however, changed my attitude. The puffy clouds and rolling
hills filled me with peace. Visiting the Atka Lakota Museum and Cultural Center
was really interesting to me. I appreciate the Native American way of life and
their connection with the natural world. I think it is important for everyone
to learn the true accounts of the Native Americans from their perspective, not
just the whitewashed history we are taught in school. The next stop on our
journey to the Badlands was the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center where I got
a really cool Missouri River sticker. We stood on the ground where Merewether
Lewis and William Clark themselves camped on their two year journey round trip
to the Pacific Ocean. Also at the
interpretive center was a very large majestic statue of a Native American woman
holding a quilt that glistened in the sun and shined brightly at night. Dignity
of Earth and Sky is here to remind us of the sacred place we stand on and that
each of us is sacred in our own way, however you would like to interpret that.
As if I thought the views couldn’t get better we entered into the Badlands. The
rocky land shaped millions of years ago by geological forces could only be
described as extra-terrestrial. Kara said she felt like she was on planet
Tatoine. After a really fun group hike with some breathtaking views, we set up
our sleeping bags under the stars. A
great way to end a great day and begin our time here in the Badlands.
“In every walk with
nature one receives far more than he seeks” John Muir
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