GEN7 DESCRIPTION (Gen7 is a program of the Tipi Raisers):
TIPI RAISER’S MISSION is to be a multi-cultural and cross-generational community who work and play together to alleviate conditions of poverty, honor indigenous wisdom and begin to reconcile the tragic history of the Lakota People on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

GEN7 MISSION:
To convene, mobilize and empower Native and non-Native young leaders; building relationships, bridging cultural gaps and providing the tools and resources necessary to bring awareness to pressing issues and make genuine change in the world around them.

GEN7 DESCRIPTION:
While we provide mentorship and work on projects between gatherings, it is through multiple gatherings and our *Woksape (Woh-ksah-pay | Meaning; Wisdom) gatherings that Ambassadors gain the most skills and build lasting friendships. At these gatherings, the youth explore social change and create an authentic community. Rooted in the power of morning and evening circle and the belief that youth both crave and need genuine contact with one another, each Gen7 gathering includes these four elements:
I. Cultural Bridge Building
Gen7 Youth Ambassadors represent a diversity of cultures, perspectives, gender identities and backgrounds. Through Gen7 events, Ambassadors come together to share their life experiences and teach one another about their unique cultural identity. Ambassadors are encouraged to explore their differences, identify and address their implicit biases and embrace their commonalities.
II. Leadership Skill Building
Gen7 events provide youth with the tools and resources necessary to go home and take on leadership roles and address issues in their communities that they are most passionate about. They explore their own strengths and weaknesses, learn about social justice, activism and allyship. Mentorship is offered to each youth between gatherings.
III. Community Service
Giving back to the communities in which we visit is emphasized during each Gen7 event. Ambassadors have worked together to cut and haul firewood, provide needed food and supplies, address conditions of poverty and connect in meaningful ways with the community members they have visited.
IV. Recreation
We believe in the power of playing and laughing together and we seek to balance out the hard work and intensity of each Gen7 event with plenty of time to have fun and take on new adventures. Be it hikes, horse-riding, ropes courses or ghost stories; our Ambassadors solidify their friendships through these more playful times together.

*Woksape Gatherings:
Woksape (pronounced wok-ksah-pay) means “Wisdom”. Our Woksape gatherings are deeper dives into leadership skill building. A Woksape gathering is typically a retreat or summit and includes workshops, youth-led presentations and opportunities to help plan and lead the event.

AGE, MEMBERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION:
Generally, our Ambassadors range from middle school to young adults in their early 20’s. There are no limits on the number of Ambassadors who can apply for membership anytime, however our Woksape Gatherings are offered through a separate application process and limited to fifteen Ambassadors. The opportunity to attend a Woksape Gathering will be based on your commitment to, and engagement level in Gen7. The Gen7 leadership team will review your participation in all activities, as well as your overall commitment and communication, as we determine which Ambassadors will fill the fifteen slots for the Woksape Gatherings

COST:
Membership in Gen7 is grant subsidized so there is no membership fee or event costs! However, if you are not from the Colorado region (AZ, SD, ND, WY), you are asked to self-fund your travel to and from gatherings. If these travel expenses are prohibitive for you, please contact Lori for a travel scholarship application at Lori@thetipiraisers.org

SAMPLE GEN7 ANNUAL CALENDAR:
Ambassadors are encouraged to join/participate in all of the following activities but must apply for the each of the Woksape (Woh-ksah-pay, meaning Wisdom) Events separately as only 15 Ambassadors will be selected.

SAMPLE ANNUAL CALENDAR (Note: Due to Covid-19 many events have been cancelled in 2020. This calendar provides an example of activities in a given year):
• April 15th Youth Ambassador Community Impact Projects due
• April 17 -20 Tipi Raiser’s on Pine Ridge- Open but not required for Gen7 Youth.
• April 23 -26 Gen7 and CYL at PeaceJam Climate Justice Summit. A Woksape Gathering
• June 2 -6 Gen7, CYL and PeaceJam gathering on Pine Ridge- A Woksape Gathering
• June 11 – 17 Gen7 Retreat on the Navajo Nation- A Woksape Gathering
• July 11 – 31 LakotaRide 2020: Woksape Gathering
• September 4 -7 Volunteer Group on Pine Ridge- Open but not required for Gen7 youth.
• September 10 - 14 Youth Leadership Summit in Denver- A Woksape Gathering
• October 23 - 26 Race to Winterize on Pine Ridge- Open but not required for Gen7 youth.
• November 6 - 9 Race to Winterize on Pine Ridge- Open but not required for Gen7 youth.
• November 20 -23 Race to Winterize on Pine Ridge-Required for Gen7 youth.
• December 11 -14 Race to Winterize on Pine Ridge- Open but not required for Gen7 youth.
• December 12 Winter Season Celebration on Pine Ridge- Required for Pine Ridge Gen7 Youth