Funding

A grant has been awarded to KYMA for an Intergenrational Mentoring Project from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) in the amount of $139,339 in federal funds. The KYMA had to match the grant with cash and in kind in the total amount of $35,795. The total program is $75,134. The grant is called the Kiowa Intergenerational Mentoring Project, a project wherein Kiowa elders and middle-aged persons utilize the Kiowa culture, history and singing to assist high school youth in establishing a healthy lifestyle and a positive path throughout their lives.

In the first session held March 10, 2007 the elders introduced the creation story and the devils tower including the establishing of the ten (10) medicine bundles.

The second session held March 14, 2007, the Kiowa palladiums that the Kiowa have had during their history. The story of zi-day tylee (half boy) was discussed and an explanation of how the twin boys had an important part in the culture of the Kiowa. The group also played hand game and everyone had fun.

The third session is set for May 12, 2007 and will follow up with a review of previously taught subject matter followed by an introduction into the modern life, the reservation period, the effect of the first (WW I) and second world war (WW II) up the present day emphasizing survival techniques used by the elders of that day. Although the Kiowa did not call the Ghost Dance by the generic name they had a dance wherein people would dance and go into trances and have visions. The Kiowa called the dance the “feather dance” . Other movements that professed to bring the “old days” back including the buffalo were perpetuated. Later, Christianity was introduced to the Kiowa.

The June sessions will be held at Camp Y’shua in the Wichita Mountains and out-of-door activities will be held such as setting up a tipi, cooking out of doors, and story telling. The Kiowa language is also a part of all sessions.

The sessions will pick up again when the students return to school in September.

The KYMA will utilize funds of its own to stage a basketball tournament for Junior and Senior High School students during late June or early July.

The KYMA has made working with young people a priority in its program implementation.