NHS Alumna Casey Simkunas owns and runs a 2,500-acre ranch in the breathtaking mountains of Montana along with her family. What has she learned about the agricultural industry and the connection to the Northern Cheyenne culture and history since leaving New Hampton and starting this amazing life in Montana? Come and find out! On our way to Montana, we will stop in South Dakota to visit native historical sites and learn about the significance of these areas. Once at the ranch, we will experience first-hand what it takes to run a ranch by helping to feed and care for animals such as cows, horses, pigs, a donkey, and possibly experience the eye-opening birth of calves. We will take a day to provide community service within the reservation and will also arrange a visit to a college on the reservation to meet professors who are passionately waiting to educate us about the Northern Cheyenne culture, language, customs, ceremonies, and so much more. This is a tremendous opportunity to learn through actions what it takes to run a successful and harmonious ranch in stunning Montana from one of our very own graduates!
Today we explored the ranch in all different directions. We went into Lame Deer to have a meal at Randy and Casey’s burger joint. We ended the day with a meal made by two women on the reservation that was a very traditional Native meal that was a venison and potato soup. We were gifted with a performance of a traditional Native dance by another Cheyenne tribal member who not only shared the performance, but he also shared his wealth of knowledge about the tribe’s history with us. We were all honored to receive what he shared with us!
Day 3
This morning we were taken to see the reservation’s buffalo herd during feeding time. It was amazing!! Afterwards, we took a trip to see and learn about the buffalo jumps on the reservation. All very interesting things that people who don’t live on the reservation will likely ever see. We’re so lucky!
Day 4
Today we visited Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse, two historic monuments with interesting histories and meanings. Then we spent some time at the Journey Museum in Rapid City learning about the journey of all people who have lived in the South Dakota lands for the past few hundred years. We ended our evening and the week with a celebratory dinner at The Dakota Steakhouse, where we shared highlights, memories, gratitudes, laughs, and good food together. Tomorrow we’re heading home!
Day 5
Credits:
Created with images by shoenberg3 - "Hidden Lake at Logan Pass, Glacier National Park (Montana)" • Jacob - "Aerial View of Watertown, South Dakota during a Summer Sunset" • Billy McDonald - "Bear Butte and Blue Sky, Bear Butte State Park, South Dakota, USA" • Maryna Konoplytska - "Navajo settlement in Arizona"