Sunka Wakan Ah-ku (Bringing Back the Horses)
Sunka Wakan Ah-ku was initiated as a partnership between the Spirit Lake Juvenile Court,
the North Dakota Division of Juvenile Services, and the Spirit Lake community.
Original funding for the program was provided in a grant by the North Dakota Division
of Juvenile Services beginning October 1, 2007. The UND Center for Health Promotion and
Prevention Research partnered with Sunka Wakan Ah-ku, with support of the Otto Bremer
Foundation, to assist in the continued development and evaluation of the program in 2008.
Like many jurisdictions across the United States, the Spirit Lake Juvenile Justice (SLJJ) Program
recognized that youth offenders are good children who face difficult life challenges, which
contribute to their behavior problems. Similarly, as Dakota people, the Spirit Lake community
considers the youth to be sacred and deserving of respect as future leaders. Therefore, the program
partners believed the best way to prevent delinquency would be to promote youths’ positive behaviors
through respectful opportunities to gain life skills, confidence, and meaningful identity within the
Dakota community.
Sunka Wakan Ah-ku is a youth development (diversion) program that addresses these needs in a unique
behavioral and culturally appropriate way. The horse culture is a strong part of Dakota history and
identity. Historically, the horse was a sacred partner for the Dakota people, not only in terms of
social and physical skill development, but also for hunting, traveling, and daily cultural practices.
Therefore, youth interests in horse activities as well as community support for horse-culture
resurgence in the Spirit Lake Nation are strong. At the same time, horsemanship requires the
development of skills such as leadership, responsibility, anger management, and assertive communication;
the very skills which can lead to behavioral improvements among youth who struggle with delinquency
and related difficulties.
Evaluation of the first year of the Sunka Wakan Ah-ku program shows that the majority of youth who
participate in the program view the program favorably, are interested in contributing to its future,
and do not return to the court system as a result of delinquency. In addition, family, community,
and tribal support has been outstanding and has resulted in the significant growth of the program
during its second year to include year-round prevention activities, horse-assisted therapy, a wellness
ride, and a summer horse camp.
If you would like to learn more about the Sunka Wakan Ah-ku program please contact us at (701) 777-4046
or email vogeltan@medicine.nodak.edu .
