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Winter 2026

Dear Friends and Supporters,
WARE REACHING OUT WITH A HEARTFELT REQUEST to support a community beading class that we believe will have a lasting impact on our people. Beadwork is more than art. It is therapy. It is culture. It is teaching, storytelling, and healing passed down through generations. In our communities, beadwork has always been a way to reconnect—to ourselves, to our ancestors, and to one another.

We are organizing a beading class for 12 participants, each receiving a complete beadwork kit. The cost is $98.50 per kit, for a total of $1,182. These kits will allow participants to fully engage in the learning process without financial barriers.

This class will provide:
  • A healing and therapeutic space rooted in Indigenous culture
  • Cultural education and storytelling through traditional beadwork
  • Hands-on skill building and creative expression
  • An introduction to small business opportunities through beadwork
  • Basic guidance on marketing and selling handmade items for income
For many participants, this class will be a first step toward economic independence—turning cultural knowledge into sustainable income while preserving tradition.

All donations are tax-deductible through Lakota LockUp Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Please send donations online by clicking here, using the donate button below., or send a check to: Lakota LockUp Project, 146 West Gate Rd., Box Elder, SD 57719.

Your contribution—no matter the amount—helps make this possible. You are not just funding supplies; you are investing in healing, cultural survival, and future opportunities for our community. Thank you for standing with us, believing in our people, and supporting work that honors both tradition and growth.

With gratitude,
Our relatives on a path toward healing and stability