Center for Helping the Youth
Weaving Traditional Values into Modern Life Skills
Pine Ridge Reservation
Weaving traditional Lakota values into Modern Life Skills.
Located in Batesland, South Dakota, Teca WaWoKiYe Cokata serves youth in the far south eastern corner of the Pine Ridge Reservation, the homelands of the Oglala Sioux Lakota Nation, a Band of the Seven Council Fires.
Teca Center for Youth offers both indoor and outdoor activities. Outdoor activities include field trips to sacred places and summer camps. Indoor activities and events will be resumed upon completion of the "build out" of our new headquarters.
Our programs, activities and all interactions with our youth are guided by the Seven Values of the Lakota Way of Life given to the people by Pte San Win, White Buffalo Calf Woman:
7 Values of Lakota Life
Wocʼekiya - Praying: find spirituality by communicating with your higher power, this is communication between you and Tunkasila without going through another person or spirit.
Wa oʼhola - Respect: for self, higher power, family, community, all life.
Waunsila - First law of the Pipe. Caring and Compassion: loving, caring and or concern for one another in a good way, especially for the family, the old ones, the young ones, the orphans, the ones in mourning, the sick ones, and the ones working for the people.
Wowijake - Honestly and Truth: with yourself, higher power, and others with sincerity.
Wawokiye - Helping: helping without expecting anything in return, giving from the heart.
Wahwayela - Humility: we have a spirit; we are no better or less than others.
Waanagoptan - Listen-hear, obey, accept give heed to attention.
Life Skills
Youth learn basic sewing skills and safety.
Cultural Experiences
Arts and Language
Lakota Plants and Foods
Camps
Annual Bear Butte Summer Camp. 2025 info and application
SUPPORT OUR YOUTH
Donate
We are a fiscally sponsored by the 7th Generation Fund, a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Your contributions are tax deductible. Learn More
Volunteer
If you have time, talent or specific skills to share, please contact us and let's talk about how you can get involved!
Volunteer application
Participate
Help your youth get involved in our activities.
Annual Bear Butte Summer Camp. 2025 info and application