Aug 2, 2018 | Native Hope Article

The rise of the statue of dignity

Dignity of Earth and Sky, a 50-foot stainless steel statue, is a testament to this changing tide. The statue depicts of a Lakota wiyan (woman) draped in a star quilt, overlooking the Missouri River in Chamberlain, South Dakota. Dale Lamphere, the artist laureate of South Dakota who designed and created Dignity, states, “Dignity represents the courage, perseverance and wisdom of the Lakota and Dakota culture in South Dakota. My hope is that the sculpture might serve as a symbol of respect and promise for the future.”

Lamphere spent years researching the project and says, “I’m humbled and so grateful to have this chance to contribute to the future landscape of South Dakota and the Great Plains.”

“I believe that she was sent here to open our hearts and our minds. Her outstretched arms are inviting us into her blanket where we can learn from each other, acknowledge our differences, and celebrate our similarities.”  -State Senator Troy Heinert of Mission, South Dakota, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe

Every community has powerful women seeking change. They are empowering youth and others to embrace their identities and follow their dreams. Native Hope supports their efforts and voices.

It was a beautiful sunny, Sunday afternoon, along the shores of the Missouri River and the rolling hills of the plains, “Dignity” stands, casting her peaceful gaze across the waters, overlooking Interstate 90 and the beautiful lands of  South Dakota. During the day, her star quilt twinkles from the sunlight and the blowing of the wind. At night, she stands shining bright and strong, her gaze will never break and her beauty – and message – will be celebrated for generations. Dignity represents the courage, perseverance and wisdom of the Lakota and Dakota culture in South Dakota.

Dale Lamphere, the artist behind the 50 foot statute, said, “My hope is that the sculpture might serve as a symbol of respect and promise for the future.”

With the future changing so rapidly, Native Hope wanted to echo Lamphere’s message of hope and promise, especially for the future of our women and children.

The “Bringing Dignity to Women” event helped educate and spark a difficult conversation about the dark world of sex and human trafficking along North America’s roadways. South Dakota has become known for its high concentration of traffickers and trafficking victims, and over 40% of sex trafficking victims in South Dakota are Native Americans.

Sex Trafficking, Human Trafficking, and Domestic Violence do not discriminate.

Trafficking victims are everywhere – in cities, suburbs, reservations and rural areas in all 50 states. There is no single profile for trafficking victims. It does not discriminate against! While trafficking spans all demographics, traffickers target victims using tailored methods of recruitment and control by understanding certain circumstances or vulnerabilities such as poverty, emotional distress, childhood sexual abuse, isolation and many other social, environmental or mental issues. Many of these issues thrive on Indian Reservations.

red-skirt-society-dignity-event-blog Red Ribbon Skirt Society Founder, Lily Mendoza said, “The event brought light to the problem facing indigenous women across the state and country. It was moving for all, especially for families that continue to grieve for their women that have been lost to this tragedy. It was beautiful to see the support of Native and non-Native community members gifted to each other.

Also, representing the Red Ribbon Skirt Society was Advocate Sunny Red Bear, a survivor that has overcame her trauma and now shares her story in hopes to heal other women going through this negative cycle of life.

The most important aspect of the entire event was the UNITY amongst various organizations across the state, standing in solidarity to #ProtectI90.

Other organizations in attendance, standing in solidarity to honor and protect women were the Pathfinder Center, Woconi Wawokiya, Artemis House, Missouri River Crisis Team, Call to Freedom, and Red Ribbon Skirt Society.

Together we rise, together we can end it. Let’s rally together to #ProtectI90 during the Sturgis Rally.

https://www.lampherestudio.com/dignity https://blog.nativehope.org/sex-trafficking-during-the-sturgis-motorcycle-rally