Russell Home - June 2008
Northern Cheyenne Reservation
The evening of the anniversary of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, we sat and watched the most spectacular display of lightning and clouds over the battlefield site twenty five miles west of our camp. Twenty minutes later when the wind picked up, signaling the imminent arrival of the storm, volunteers and staff scattered to take cover in tents, trailers and cars. Moments later an onslaught of rain wind and hail flooded the camp and flattened tents with campers shielding themselves inside. When it was done we all came out to assess the damage and help gather up people’s wet belongings. Many people slept in the half finished straw bale house that night. When the sun rose on a ragged camp the next morning, volunteers laid out clothes and gear to dry and took stock of damaged and destroyed tents. We had many storms up to that point on this year’s Northern Cheyenne build, but none as wicked and awesome as this one. It would have been more than understandable if some volunteers might pack it in and head for a hot shower and hotel bed. None did and this year’s homeowner, Winfield Russell was humbled and inspired to see the group gathered for morning meeting in the sun, laughing and preparing for the days construction tasks.
Despite the brutal weather, Winfield Russell’s home project was a great success. The usual occurred: a beautiful home was built, volunteers gave selflessly to a common goal, and, in addition, there was great community involvement in the June projects. Six Indigenous Builders Exchange participants worked on the project, two of which later traveled to Hopi for the September build. Two local volunteers through the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program contributed to the home’s completion. For the first time a home applicant camped out and worked multiple weeks on the build, gaining a better understanding of the construction process and how Red Feather works. Two different local youth groups worked both on the home and on the construction of a timber framed shade structure in the village of Busby, and many local residents contributed to the effort as time allowed in their lives. It was a great month in this regard.
Winfield completed his sweat equity hours and worked to make volunteers feel welcome by lining up evening presenters and community members to lead sweat lodges each week. Special thanks to Lynwood Tall Bull, Mina Seminole, Phyllis Fisher and her family, Mark Roundstone, Conrad Fisher, Mabell Killsnight and her instructors, and Charles Little Old Man. During the build, volunteers were treated to presentations on Northern Cheyenne health and medicinal plants, as well as the history of the tribe and its reservation districts. We had a rowdy evening of traditional hand games, listened to Cheyenne songs and even got a crash course in basic Cheyenne language. The build opened ceremonially with all the volunteers being cedared, and we celebrated the finished house with a potluck feast, running out of chairs and tables from the great attendance.
In addition to all that, many members of Red Feather’s local advisory group made it out to the project to pitch in, attend a meeting, share a meal with us and discuss how to promote and improve future projects, working towards the goal of putting more homes on the ground, built by more local hands. Thank you to all who contributed to this project. It is always so much more than just building a home, also building bridges between cultures and growing compassion between individuals.
