By Sammie Bordeaux
SGU's Media Guru, Jim Cortez, has added some new videos to the SGU YouTube channel, a two-part video of SGU adjunct instructor Peter Gibbs teaching Todd County Middle School students about life inside a tipi. Both videos are about 8 minutes long and available in high definition format.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6og_89w6bbU
Cortez has been creating videos for SGU for the past three years and making them available via YouTube with an SGU YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/sintegleskautube Most SGU events are covered by Cortez and edited and made available quickly to viewers. Videos include the SGU Founders' Day activities, the SGU frybread video, Lakota elder Albert White Hat speaking about Lakota women's roles, and even a teaching-related video featuring SGU Human Services Chair, Sheryl Klein, developed to help students understand Service Learning.
Cortez has been working on the past 38 years' worth of video and film created by the University media staff, trying to digitize it and make it available via YouTube and/or through DVDs. Cortez believes that the video collection of Sinte Gleska University could be used to raise money for the University through sales of rare and never-seen videos that the University owns. The value of these videos, he believes, lies in their research potential for students and faculty of SGU and other academic institutions.
Additionally, the SGU YouTube channel offers potential students the opportunity to see what's available at Sinte Gleska University in terms of technology, classes, and people. Many will find that SGU is a place like no other in its course offerings, expertise on the Lakota way of life, and the availability of the knowledge and wisdom of Lakota elders.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Faculty Development Workshop September 17
SGU's Policy Institute is hosting a faculty development workshop on September 17 at 10 AM at the Student Services Building on the Antelope Lake Campus. Titled "Blogs, wikis, IMs, Facebooks, YouTube, and Second Life: Technology in the Grounded Classroom," this is the second time this workshop has been offered to SGU faculty.
SGU Faculty who are confused about technology or just want a refresher-course can sign up with Marlies White Hat at the SGU Policy Institute or with Mary Henson-Saunders at the SGU Arts & Sciences Building to attend this workshop. You must sign up to attend the workshop to ensure enough workshop materials and food are available for all.
SGU Faculty who are confused about technology or just want a refresher-course can sign up with Marlies White Hat at the SGU Policy Institute or with Mary Henson-Saunders at the SGU Arts & Sciences Building to attend this workshop. You must sign up to attend the workshop to ensure enough workshop materials and food are available for all.
Science/Math Knowledge Bowl upcoming
Sinte Gleska University's ongoing Science and Math Knowledge Bowl will continue this fall, challenging students and parents alike to recall all their knowledge of math and science on-the-spot to win prizes.
Prizes up to $1000 (plus pizza and pop) are available to those who attend, and anyone is eligible to win the prizes for answering science and math-related questions.
Quiz No. 27 will be held September 14 at 5:00 PM at the SGU Multipurpose Building Commons Area at 5:00 PM. For more information contact Dr. Subodh Singh, 605-856-8215 at the SGU Technology Building. This event is sponsored by SD-EPSCoR.
Prizes up to $1000 (plus pizza and pop) are available to those who attend, and anyone is eligible to win the prizes for answering science and math-related questions.
Quiz No. 27 will be held September 14 at 5:00 PM at the SGU Multipurpose Building Commons Area at 5:00 PM. For more information contact Dr. Subodh Singh, 605-856-8215 at the SGU Technology Building. This event is sponsored by SD-EPSCoR.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
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Sinte Gleska University Land Curriculum Camp combines cultural learning with fun for children
By Sammie Bordeaux
Sinte Gleska University’s Institute of Tribal Lands hosted two sleepover camps this summer designed to teach children about tribal land issues.
Vernon “Ike” Schmidt, Director of the SGU Institute of Tribal Lands, designed the camps with help from Lydia Whirlwind Soldier, who wrote a Land Curriculum that was presented to children at the camps. Forty-six children from the Rosebud Area attended the camps, held in Spring Creek Community, participating in archery, fishing, swimming, Lakota language instruction, biology and environmental science, cultural and spiritual activities, and fun.
Camp counselors included Schmidt, who took students fishing and swimming and directed the camp; Gerald Lang, SGU Environmental Sciences professor, who taught biology and earth-friendly living; Jackie White Bird, resident of Spring Creek and Lakota language instructor, who taught the language component of the camp; Wes Luxon, who taught archery; and Sam High Crane, who taught the spirituality and culture.
Students from nearly every community on the reservation attended the camp, enjoying living outdoors while learning about the land and their responsibility toward Unci Maka.
Lydia Whirlwind Soldier wrote the land curriculum that was taught at the camp, integrating science, Lakota language and values and spirituality with the culture and responsibility Lakota people have toward the land. Sponsored by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, the curriculum addresses the need for the younger generations of Lakota to understand and take care of the earth. The curriculum is available at the SGU Institute of Lands, located behind the SGU Library on the main SGU campus.
The Institute of Tribal Lands partnered with the RST Suicide Prevention Program, Circle of HOpe at St. Francis Mission, The Boys and Girls Club of Rosebud, and Wiconi Wakan to host the camp. The two camps were held June 23-25 and July 26-28. A third camp was planned, but funding was short after unexpected expenses arose from the first two camps.
Schmidt said, “What we want to do is get more young people introduced to the reservation, the culture, the land, the environment and while we are doing that we also want to focus on wellness issues because of the suicide rate and because of diabetes. So, during our camp we had exercises. We had plenty of stuff to keep them moving. We did the curriculum part. Jerry handled the biology and environmental sciences component to it. We used Jackie Whitebird who added a lot of the cultural component, Lakota language. Sam High Crane added a lot of cultural, the songs and the language, the wolakota part.”
Students spent time keeping journals as part of their camp experience, and each day ended with a Talking Circle to discuss the day’s activities and what was learned. Students who had never particpated in cultural activities such as smudging and greeting each other as relatives were given an insight into their culture that they had not seen before.
Schmidt said, “I talked about a lot of historical stuff, how we derived our land base. The first time it was really identified in the 1851 treaty. They started carving and carving to where we are at today. I just wanted to give them a real broad basis and history of lands we had and now what tribal land enterprises is doing to regain our land base.”
Jackie White Bird focused on the Lakota language, teaching children how to greet each other as relatives and how to pray each morning and evening.
The Talking Circle was used to help children learn to talk to each other without conflict, expressing their feelings about suicide, death of family members, what encourages them and what changes they wanted to make.
The camp ended with a buffalo feed using bison meat from the SGU Bison Ranch. Children were awarded t-shirts as well.
Schmidt says the camps were a success and hopes to offer more next year. (photos by Jim Cortez and Gerald Lang)
Sinte Gleska University’s Institute of Tribal Lands hosted two sleepover camps this summer designed to teach children about tribal land issues.
Vernon “Ike” Schmidt, Director of the SGU Institute of Tribal Lands, designed the camps with help from Lydia Whirlwind Soldier, who wrote a Land Curriculum that was presented to children at the camps. Forty-six children from the Rosebud Area attended the camps, held in Spring Creek Community, participating in archery, fishing, swimming, Lakota language instruction, biology and environmental science, cultural and spiritual activities, and fun.
Camp counselors included Schmidt, who took students fishing and swimming and directed the camp; Gerald Lang, SGU Environmental Sciences professor, who taught biology and earth-friendly living; Jackie White Bird, resident of Spring Creek and Lakota language instructor, who taught the language component of the camp; Wes Luxon, who taught archery; and Sam High Crane, who taught the spirituality and culture.
Students from nearly every community on the reservation attended the camp, enjoying living outdoors while learning about the land and their responsibility toward Unci Maka.
Lydia Whirlwind Soldier wrote the land curriculum that was taught at the camp, integrating science, Lakota language and values and spirituality with the culture and responsibility Lakota people have toward the land. Sponsored by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, the curriculum addresses the need for the younger generations of Lakota to understand and take care of the earth. The curriculum is available at the SGU Institute of Lands, located behind the SGU Library on the main SGU campus.
The Institute of Tribal Lands partnered with the RST Suicide Prevention Program, Circle of HOpe at St. Francis Mission, The Boys and Girls Club of Rosebud, and Wiconi Wakan to host the camp. The two camps were held June 23-25 and July 26-28. A third camp was planned, but funding was short after unexpected expenses arose from the first two camps.
Schmidt said, “What we want to do is get more young people introduced to the reservation, the culture, the land, the environment and while we are doing that we also want to focus on wellness issues because of the suicide rate and because of diabetes. So, during our camp we had exercises. We had plenty of stuff to keep them moving. We did the curriculum part. Jerry handled the biology and environmental sciences component to it. We used Jackie Whitebird who added a lot of the cultural component, Lakota language. Sam High Crane added a lot of cultural, the songs and the language, the wolakota part.”
Students spent time keeping journals as part of their camp experience, and each day ended with a Talking Circle to discuss the day’s activities and what was learned. Students who had never particpated in cultural activities such as smudging and greeting each other as relatives were given an insight into their culture that they had not seen before.
Schmidt said, “I talked about a lot of historical stuff, how we derived our land base. The first time it was really identified in the 1851 treaty. They started carving and carving to where we are at today. I just wanted to give them a real broad basis and history of lands we had and now what tribal land enterprises is doing to regain our land base.”
Jackie White Bird focused on the Lakota language, teaching children how to greet each other as relatives and how to pray each morning and evening.
The Talking Circle was used to help children learn to talk to each other without conflict, expressing their feelings about suicide, death of family members, what encourages them and what changes they wanted to make.
The camp ended with a buffalo feed using bison meat from the SGU Bison Ranch. Children were awarded t-shirts as well.
Sinte Gleska University announces partnership with Mitchell Technical Institute to bring Wind Turbine Maintenance program to Rosebud area residents
By Sammie Bordeaux
Sinte Gleska University has partnered with Mitchell Technical Institute to train students in maintaining wind turbines, more of which are popping up all over the area as the power inherent in the wind is finally being capitalized in this area as an alternative energy source.
Rosebud Sioux Tribe is preparing to vote on signing an agreement with Citizens Wind from Boston, MA, to build a large wind turbine farm costing about $418 million between the Rosebud Reservation and White River, which makes the program at SGU both timely and useful for students looking for good jobs in the area so they don’t have to leave the reservation after graduation.
An announcement on the Mitchell Technical Institute website gives potential students more information about the program.
What is this program all about?
Mitchell Technical Institute (MTI) and Sinte Gleska University (SGU) have partnered to bring a new education and training opportunity. This program will allow qualified students to enroll in the MTI Wind Turbine Technology diploma program and complete the classes on the SGU campus. This training will provide the skills and knowledge needed for employment as an entry level technician for commercial wind turbines.
The program includes a combination of SGU classes, MTI classes delivered via two-way video, and MTI classes taught on the SGU campus by teachers contracted by MTI. There are also some requirements that will be completed on the MTI campus or at some other field location but these will typically be done during day-trips off-campus. Students successfully completing this 39 credit program will be awarded a diploma in Wind Turbine Technology by MTI.
Students must meet MTI admissions requirements and complete the MTI application and enrollment process to participate in this program. Enrollment is limited to 10 students during the 2010-11 school year. Students are registered as MTI students and will pay MTI tuition and fees although the majority of the program will be conducted on the SGU campus. Students must meet MTI academic requirements for successful program completion and comply with policies and procedures set forth in the MTI Student Handbook.
How do I apply?
You can complete an online MTI application online by clicking on this link. Once MTI receives your application we will contact you regarding the next steps in the enrollment process.
Are there any special requirements for this program?
Students need to be comfortable working at heights (up to 300 feet) and they will complete special climbing safety and rescue training. Additionally, industry and safety considerations require a drug and alcohol pre-screening to be done during the first week of classes. Students are also subject to random drug and alcohol testing throughout the program. The consequences for alcohol or drug use could result in dismissal from the program and details are contained in the MTI Student Handbook.
What will I learn?
At the completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
Demonstrate OSHA-required safety while ascending and descending a 60’ lattice tower.
Demonstrate an understanding of the mechanical, electrical, and control systems and sub-systems common to modern wind turbines.
Demonstrate basic troubleshooting skills required to maintain a wind turbine.
Demonstrate and understand basic rigging required to maintain a wind turbine.
Identify major components associated with a modern wind turbine.
Demonstrate the concept of tower rescue.
Complete OSHA 10-hour training.
Obtain First Aid / CPR certification.
When do classes start?
Fall semester classes start on August 30, 2010 and end December 22. The spring semester begins January 5, 2011 and ends May 6.
What classes will I take?
Click here for the program of study and classes.
Who will teach the classes?
Classes will be taught by Wind Turbine Technology Instructors from the MTI campus as well as SGU instructors and instructors or lab assistants hired by MTI to teach on the SGU Campus.
Who issues the diploma for successful program completion?
The diploma is issued by MTI.
What is the cost?
The cost for this two-semester program is approximately $8,900 for tuition, fees, books and tools. Enrolled students may apply for federal financial aid and MTI and SGU are working with several agencies to obtain additional funding to assist students with program costs. Support is also being provided through a Community-Based Job Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor awarded to MTI in February 2009.
Who do I contact for more information?
John Heemstra, MTI Outreach Coordinator, (605) 995-7204 or (800) 684-1969, or email john.heemstra@mitchelltech.edu
Sinte Gleska University will be registering students for these classes in the upcoming weeks of registration at the SGU campus. For more information in the local area, contact Jack Herman, SGU Registrar and William Hay, SGU Financial Aid Director.
(Information for this article from the Mitchell Technical Information website)
Sinte Gleska University has partnered with Mitchell Technical Institute to train students in maintaining wind turbines, more of which are popping up all over the area as the power inherent in the wind is finally being capitalized in this area as an alternative energy source.
Rosebud Sioux Tribe is preparing to vote on signing an agreement with Citizens Wind from Boston, MA, to build a large wind turbine farm costing about $418 million between the Rosebud Reservation and White River, which makes the program at SGU both timely and useful for students looking for good jobs in the area so they don’t have to leave the reservation after graduation.
An announcement on the Mitchell Technical Institute website gives potential students more information about the program.
What is this program all about?
Mitchell Technical Institute (MTI) and Sinte Gleska University (SGU) have partnered to bring a new education and training opportunity. This program will allow qualified students to enroll in the MTI Wind Turbine Technology diploma program and complete the classes on the SGU campus. This training will provide the skills and knowledge needed for employment as an entry level technician for commercial wind turbines.
The program includes a combination of SGU classes, MTI classes delivered via two-way video, and MTI classes taught on the SGU campus by teachers contracted by MTI. There are also some requirements that will be completed on the MTI campus or at some other field location but these will typically be done during day-trips off-campus. Students successfully completing this 39 credit program will be awarded a diploma in Wind Turbine Technology by MTI.
Students must meet MTI admissions requirements and complete the MTI application and enrollment process to participate in this program. Enrollment is limited to 10 students during the 2010-11 school year. Students are registered as MTI students and will pay MTI tuition and fees although the majority of the program will be conducted on the SGU campus. Students must meet MTI academic requirements for successful program completion and comply with policies and procedures set forth in the MTI Student Handbook.
How do I apply?
You can complete an online MTI application online by clicking on this link. Once MTI receives your application we will contact you regarding the next steps in the enrollment process.
Are there any special requirements for this program?
Students need to be comfortable working at heights (up to 300 feet) and they will complete special climbing safety and rescue training. Additionally, industry and safety considerations require a drug and alcohol pre-screening to be done during the first week of classes. Students are also subject to random drug and alcohol testing throughout the program. The consequences for alcohol or drug use could result in dismissal from the program and details are contained in the MTI Student Handbook.
What will I learn?
At the completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
Demonstrate OSHA-required safety while ascending and descending a 60’ lattice tower.
Demonstrate an understanding of the mechanical, electrical, and control systems and sub-systems common to modern wind turbines.
Demonstrate basic troubleshooting skills required to maintain a wind turbine.
Demonstrate and understand basic rigging required to maintain a wind turbine.
Identify major components associated with a modern wind turbine.
Demonstrate the concept of tower rescue.
Complete OSHA 10-hour training.
Obtain First Aid / CPR certification.
When do classes start?
Fall semester classes start on August 30, 2010 and end December 22. The spring semester begins January 5, 2011 and ends May 6.
What classes will I take?
Click here for the program of study and classes.
Who will teach the classes?
Classes will be taught by Wind Turbine Technology Instructors from the MTI campus as well as SGU instructors and instructors or lab assistants hired by MTI to teach on the SGU Campus.
Who issues the diploma for successful program completion?
The diploma is issued by MTI.
What is the cost?
The cost for this two-semester program is approximately $8,900 for tuition, fees, books and tools. Enrolled students may apply for federal financial aid and MTI and SGU are working with several agencies to obtain additional funding to assist students with program costs. Support is also being provided through a Community-Based Job Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor awarded to MTI in February 2009.
Who do I contact for more information?
John Heemstra, MTI Outreach Coordinator, (605) 995-7204 or (800) 684-1969, or email john.heemstra@mitchelltech.edu
Sinte Gleska University will be registering students for these classes in the upcoming weeks of registration at the SGU campus. For more information in the local area, contact Jack Herman, SGU Registrar and William Hay, SGU Financial Aid Director.
(Information for this article from the Mitchell Technical Information website)
SGU Greenhouse partners with local Extension offices to emphasize sustainable living with gardening, food preservation workshops
By Sammie Bordeaux
Sinte Gleska University’s Greenhouse has undergone some transformation this year as tragic events forced the near closure of the Green house following the death of former Green house director, Kim Wilczinski. In the absence of a qualified director, University administrators feared they would have to close the Green house in early spring.
The Greenhouse has been an active force in the community for the past seven years, providing seedlings and trees to local gardeners and valuable research and science-demonstration opportunities for science instructors at the University. Operated under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Extension Grants program, the Green house has been a boon to the community as focus on gardening, sustainable living and wellness has bloomed across the Rosebud.
Working with Wilzinski’s husband, Dave Weisser, the administration found Carmelita Sully, SGU Environmental Sciences major, to take over the management of the Green house temporarily. Sully says she is a veteran of gardening after years of living on the “Sully Farm and Ranch” in White River. Sully is the daughter of Claude and Rose Sully of Okreek Community, who together raised 14 children, partly by growing and raising their own food. Sully’s hard work through the spring and summer brought the SGU Greenhouse one of its most productive and profitable growing seasons ever.
Gardening doesn’t just stop at planting and harvesting food, says Sully, who has a dual purpose of providing the tools and assistance to gardeners but also education in gardening, nutrition and wellness. She has coordinated with local Extension offices to provide canning and food dehydrating workshops for local people, providing all the materials needed for families to grow and preserve their own food to save money and live healthier lives. In June and July, Sully spent several days planting flowerbeds across the SGU Main Campus, both to advertise the services of the Greenhouse and to beautify the campus to make it a more welcoming environment for students, staff and community members and tourists who visit.
Sully worked with Donna Adrian, master gardener and extension agent from White River, to till and plant four community gardens in Antelope, St. Francis, Okreek and Parmelee. She also coordinates her efforts with Rachel Lindvall, Todd County Extension Agent, and Ann Schwader, Gregory County Extension Agent. Because SGU is a 1984 Land Grant Institution, South Dakota State University’s Extension Program has offered technical assistance to SGU. This comes in the form of help from local extension agents and the donation of another green house for the University to expand their gardening efforts.
“We’re really interested in helping people get back to healthier living because we can’t always afford to buy what we need from the grocery store, and the food isn’t always what’s best for us either,” says Sully. The addition of local food and a beautiful campus addresses both the physical and mental health of local residents.
Sully has plans to offer more workshops on harvesting seeds, tree and shrub pruning and growing and harvesting traditional medicinal plants in the future. Sully also hopes to plant a garden at the University and preserve the food for use in the SGU Student Lounge for their lunch program. Far in the future, Sully would like to see a horticulture program at the University to further aid local people in sustainable living and education. “I’m learning a lot about lots of different plants, every day I’m learning more, like about what plants do well here and how to
The Green house hosted a Canning Workshop on August 12 at the SGU Multipurpose Building. Twenty participants learned how to preserve food in two ways, using a hot bath canner and using a pressure cooker. Participants learned about food safety as well. The workshop was presented by Ann Schwader, Gregory County Extenion Agent. Participants received a free hot bath canner, information on canning, and all the materials needed to can their own food from their gardens from the SGU Green house.
A workshop on food dehydration using solar paneled food dehydrators built by Sully and Adrian and the Green house staff will be held August 19 at the SGU Multipurpose Building at 5:00 PM. A workshop on tree pruning will be held August 31 at the SGU Main Campus. For more information contact Carmelita Sully at the SGU Green house.
Greenhouse staff working with Sully are Brandy Guerue, Matthew Sully, Maria Valandra, and Ty Wilczinski.
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