Prior Lake, Minnesota - Indian kids from urban and reservation areas will have the opportunity to attend summer camp, many for the first time, due in part to a donation of $50,000 from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community to Indian Youth of America (IYA). IYA, of Sioux City, Iowa, has helped thousands of Indian youth from over 186 tribes and 31 states enjoy a positive summer camp experience since 1976.

IYA takes children ages ten to fourteen years old to camps in Arizona and South Dakota. The children spend time outdoors reconnecting with the environment and their heritage, canoeing, swimming, hiking, and making crafts. They do creative writing, perform skits, practice archery, erect tipis, and learn songs, dances, and stories. Life skills and leadership development are incorporated into the activities. Each year about 150 children attend IYA camps. Indian Youth of America improves the quality of life for Indian children through summer camps and activities throughout the year including holiday programs, scholarships, and child welfare services.

“Over the past 30 years, the summer camps have provided Indian children with an alternative to spending the summer at home, often with no recreation, entertainment, or job opportunities. The summer camps have provided a variety of positive activities at a time when youth lack supervision and are most vulnerable to peer pressure, criminal activity, gang involvement, and substance abuse,” wrote Patricia Trudell Gordon, Founder and Executive Director of Indian Youth of America.

Camp Whispering Pines in Prescott National Forest in Arizona and Camp Bob Marshall in the Black Hills of South Dakota host the two camps. “IYA camps have played a vital role in building self-esteem, reinforcing cultural pride, encouraging healthy competition, establishing camaraderie, and creating inter-tribal friendships that last a lifetime,” Gordon wrote.

In fiscal year 2007 the SMSC gave IYA a $50,000 grant for camp, and in fiscal year 2006 Indian Youth of America received two donations from the SMSC. A $50,000 SMSC donation helped send children to camp. A donation of $7,235 bought a new phone system and carpeting for the IYA office in Sioux City, Iowa. The SMSC has also provided support to help purchase a building to house administrative offices and youth activities, building renovations, and a van for transporting children during after school and summer programs. Since 1999 the SMSC has donated $360,395 to Indian Youth of America.

For more information about Indian Youth of America, contact Patricia Trudell Gordon at (712) 252- 3230 or write P.O. Box 2786, Sioux City, Iowa 51106.

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