A celebration of life; Horse club inspires Standing Rock youth
WAKPALA, S.D. - During his 16 years on Earth, Kellyn Hill accomplished more
than many people do in much longer lifetimes. He has been praised as a
leader by the keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, Arvol Looking
Horse; by members of Kellyn's community; and by the youngsters who rode
with him in the Spirit Riders Youth Horse Club. In 2003, the National
Mental Health Association recognized Kellyn, an accomplished rider and
horse trainer who was then 15, for founding and sustaining the club.
The dozen or so Spirit Riders cover 1,300 miles a year on rides ranging in
length from one day to several weeks. The requirement for membership is
completion of the two-week Future Generations Ride (formerly known as the
Big Foot Memorial Ride) from Sitting Bull's homesite on the Standing Rock
Reservation to Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
On Sept. 17, the group rode to commemorate Kellyn's life, which was cut
short by a car accident last year. Several of the club members had learned
to ride and were able to join in because Kellyn, Lakota/
Mohawk/Oneida/Ojibway, had generously shared his horses.
Kellyn's father, Manaja Unjinca Hill, Lakota/Mohawk /Oneida, advises the
club. He pointed to positive, life-changing lessons children learn through
horsemanship, including responsibility, respect, relationship building and
a living connection with the landscape of their ancestors and its sacred
places. Youngsters put the experiences to use at home, in school and in the
workplace, according to Hill.
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The club is open to all. "Horses don't know age or race barriers," Hill
said. When he noted that some parents accompany their children on the
rides, he added wryly, "Anyone under 50 is a youth."
Currently Hill provides the primary support of the club, with additional
assistance from Sitting Bull College; however, he hopes more parents and
organizations will become involved. For information, contact Hill at
muhill101@hotmail.com or (605) 845-5697.
