The Oyate Ta Kola Ku (OTKK) Community Center on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation exists “to provide a variety of cultural, fitness, and, of course, fun activities throughout the entire year” for local children and youth.
Since the facility opened just over two years ago, the larger space compared with the old building lets Director Rose Fraser “host a lot more activities.”
Bigger Gym, Bigger Programs
With its state-of-the-art gymnasium, the center introduced “Skills & Drills” basketball practice in 2024 for grades 1–4, “giving them a feel of everything,” Rose wrote on Facebook.
“Bring your child to discover their love for the game through basic fundamentals and play.”
After the first night, she added:
“It’s fun working with these young ones! They bring a lot of energy! We hope to develop their skills through basic fundamentals and play!”
Attendance grew so quickly that first- and second-graders now practice one night, third- and fourth-graders another. After two months, including scrimmages, every participant earned a Certificate of Completion.
The gym also offers high school open gym, often drawing more than two dozen players.
“We’re glad everyone’s enjoying their time here, and we’re happy seeing you all come!”
Daily Routine: Drills, Snacks, Supper
- Up to 50 elementary students arrive after school for basketball, snacks, and a hot meal.
- In the evening, teens gather for sports, community, and supper.
Culture and Creativity
- February: beading class for middle and high schoolers.
- Year-round: ribbon-skirt and concho-belt making; regalia sewing.
- As graduation nears, young women finish ribbon skirts, symbols of womanhood, for commencement.
- Prom Central opens each spring, so no teen misses prom for lack of a dress or tux.
Students from Little Wound School walk the half-mile to OTKK for after-school activities, a safe social space, and dinner.
Holiday Highlights
The annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 30, 2025, was free for all ages able to walk. Rose recapped:
“We had 6,000 eggs… each age category had 1,000 eggs, 60 prizes, pizza, and cupcakes.”
“Thanks for a great turnout, braving the cold and rain to help make this a huge success!”
(“Walking-to-2” and “18–adult” groups each had 500 eggs.)
Looking Ahead to Summer
Weekend events will include mud volleyball, horseshoes, corn hole, bouncy houses, water slides, kayak races, bingo, a 5 K walk, and basketball tournaments. Expect open gym hours, walking challenges, volleyball camp, and conditioning camps.
Beyond sports, the center plans beginner sewing and cooking classes, youth dances, a fashion show, plus spontaneous “just because” gatherings—hot-dog and ice-cream socials, movie nights, music classes, and “lake days” at Kyle Dam with paddleboard and kayak races, a fishing derby, and pedal boats.
“A perfect day to get in the water,” Rose says. “Activities like this often pop up, so we do our best to make them happen for the youth because we are literally the place for them to socialize.”
Impact
Rose estimates about 200 children and teens visit OTKK each week, and that number continues to rise as word spreads.
