A teenager from one of South Dakota's poorest counties is speaking out against poverty Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the United Nations in New York City.

LaBradford Eagle Deer, 16, of St. Francis on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, will speak this afternoon during the United Nations observation of the 20th International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will also participate in the program, which begins at 1 p.m.

The theme for the event is "Eradication of World Poverty: Youth As Agents of Change."

LaBradford is one of six young people selected to read commemorative stones marking the observance and to participate in a panel discussion on poverty.

LaBradford and a Texas teen will represent the United States in the ceremony.

The message on Eagle Deer's stone reads: "Wherever human beings are condemned to live in extreme poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty."

A member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, LaBradford will share his views on poverty and what needs to be done to address poverty during the panel discussion.

On the Rosebud reservation, more than 46 percent of children younger than 17 live in poverty, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Center.

"Poverty creates a sense of hopelessness in a person," LaBradford said. "And that is why suicide, addiction, dropout and crime rates are so high in poverty-stricken areas on our reservation, as well as other areas in the world."

The Christian Children's Fund-USA selected LaBradford for the trip. LaBradford is president of the St. Francis youth center, which is a program of the Oyate Networking project, sponsored by the Christian Children's Fund.

He recently led a series of focus-group meetings at the youth center.

He coaches flag football and has organized a traditional youth-honoring powwow.

An honor student, LaBradford values education as a pathway out of poverty. His parents' emphasis on education and support has helped keep him on track when many around him are dropping out or failing high school, he said.

But that road can be difficult.

"Sometimes, it feels like you're alone," he said.

Friends frequently express their admiration for his academic success, which "feels good, but sometimes I would like to be just like everyone else.

"Even though I'm a leader, I need help too," LaBradford said.

LaBradford has taken the initiative to help his community by helping the homeless, hosting drug-free parties in his home and being a leader among his peers, according to Raquel Oliva, national director of CCF-USA.

He is a fitting representative of other children living in poverty who aspire to a better life, she said.

"Poverty isn't just about other places," Oliva said. "South Dakota has some of the poorest counties in the country."

It is important that the world knows that places in this country also deal with poverty, she said.

Christian Children's Fund serves 17 communities on the Rosebud and Pine Ridge reservations. More than 1,600 children benefit from CCF-USA programs, Oliva said.

LaBradford's trip was sponsored in part by the Todd County School District and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

LaBradford and his father, Travis Eagle Deer, flew to New York from Rapid City Tuesday morning. Their trip will be short. They return Thursday.

LaBradford, a junior at Todd County High School in Mission, has qualified for the state cross country meet in Huron on Saturday.

"He'll have to train while he's gone," Travis Eagle Deer said.In addition to the program with the Secretary-General, LaBradford is attending a press conference at 11 a.m. EDT. You can watch it here at http://www.un.org/webcast/.

Contact Andrea Cook at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com