NEW: Cheyenne River youth center opens

By Jomay Steen, Journal Staff Writer | Tuesday, August 15, 2006

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EAGLE BUTTE -- Amid drum beats and applause, Center of Life, a $4 million-26,000-square-feet facility serving American Indian youths ages 13 to 18, was opened this week for tours and blessings on Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.

Cheyenne River Youth Project executive director Julie Garreau and teenager R.J. Lawrence, both of Eagle Butte, clipped the gold ribbon to the mostly unfurnished teen center entrance on Monday, Aug. 14, that leads to combinations of classrooms, art and dance studios, library, gymnasium, arcade and internet cafe designed for reservation youths.

Olympic gold medalist and spokesperson Billy Mills of Running Strong for American Indian Youth toured the facility Sunday evening along with 50 contributors and others from the nonprofit agency. Mills was impressed with what he saw.

“When opening a facility like this, you can’t help but think about our past,” Mills said.

Several years ago on a car trip from a speaking engagement in Eagle Butte, Garreau chauffeured Mills to the nearest airport for a flight back to his California home.

During the two-hour trip, Garreau talked of her vision and the need for a teen center that would involve reservation youths from its planning to its operation. Her enthusiasm and determination convinced Mills to involve Running Strong to help.

Running Strong awarded the teen center a $100,000 grant, but also promoted the future facility nationwide as a place where youths could go to pursue their talents, receive counseling, do homework or hang out in a safe environment.

For the complete story, see Wednesday's Rapid City Journal.