Frazer Healing Week

Frazer Schools' Healing Week came at a needed time this year. As the school and community mourns the loss of their special education teacher Lorena Mast, youth from across Fort Peck Reservation gathered for the fourth annual event for lessons and guidance on healthy, fulfilling, and productive adult lives.

This year's Healing Week featured a self empowerment day, cultural field trip and ARC of Williston field trip in addition to equine therapy and elder education. Despite the challenges faced this year, organizers and participants found smiles and happiness at the event. Wednesday afternoon Poplar's Frances Cook, assisted by Bree Olney, guided children through equine therapy with her horse on Wednesday. The Army veteran, to the delight and and gratitude of organizers, donated her time and resources for the kids.

Inside, classrooms were dedicated to two elders, Perry Lilley and Jonny Bearcub Stiffarm, for them to share their lessons with a younger generation.

Lilley, who stepped in at the last minute to fill the unexpectedly vacant spot, spoke of the importance of dreams, goals and identity. He stressed the need for education and service while repeatedly highlighting the importance of each individual in the room.

Down the hall, Stiffarm imparted wisdom gained over years of education and activism across the country. She said she had fun with her first experience at Healing Week and that she enjoyed having kids from all the small schools there. Stiffarm shared her life's journey of being born here, pursuing her education and working in multiple states, advocating for Native rights and issues.

She shared her elder's wisdom: Humanity faces some formidable challenges in our future meaning tribal nations must have leaders who are visionary, brave and willing to take the risk to try new models. Be the rebel, become the activist, dream of a future that no one else can see right now. Each of us can make a difference.