The Full Circle Martial Arts Academy of Rapid City has expanded its circle to include the Pine Ridge Reservation. We visited Oglala Lakota College for a martial arts demonstration by Lakota youth who are finding a path toward defending themselves, staying in shape and gaining more confidence in themselves and everything they do.
It’s a cold, windy, overcast Saturday afternoon on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Snow or rain is in the air.
But inside a gymnasium on the Oglala Lakota College campus near Kyle, a group of boys and girls are keeping the atmosphere warm by going through their paces in a karate demonstration.
“All of the programming that we offer…not only in Rapid City but also in Kyle…is around Taekwondo and around character development for the students,” Naomi Even-Aberle explains.
Naomi Even-Aberle is a 4th degree master black belt and instructor at Full Circle Academy.
Naomi says there’s much more to martial arts than learning how to defend yourself.
“It is so much more than that,” comments Even-Aberle. “But at the end of the day you’re learning how to take care of yourself…how to better yourself. And in the opportunities of bettering yourself you gain the understanding to help better those around you. Because if you’re better and you can take care of yourself and you start to understand your place in the world…you can help others around you.”
“Full Circle” Martial Arts was invited to Pine Ridge by the Kyle Health Center to help combat the recent suicide epidemic by giving kids a place to go, a physical activity to take part in and an environment where they could find a support network. The program is funded by Kyle Health and free to participants.
Naomi adds that having an alternative to expressing one’s self through the usual activities of sports and arts is also a great self-esteem builder
After just 6 months in the program 10-year old Nisa totally agrees.
Yeah,” says Nina. “I want to learn how to be a helper. I want to help. I want to become a master.”
Nisa wants to become a master just like her instructor and new role model Naomi.
In the end, says Naomi, the goal is to teach “her kids" it’s all about being the best you that you can be.
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