Sabrina Pourier
Teen inspires others with her traditional lifestyle
By Richie Richards
Native Sun News Staff Writer RAPID CITY –– Sabrina Pourier (Mnicoujou/Hunkpapa/Oglala Lakota) is a senior at Rapid City Central High School and will be graduating early January, 2015. Her Lakota name is Ista Canpa Win, which means Choke Cherry Eyes Woman. She is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in Eagle Butte, and a proud descendent of the Mnicoujou, Hunkpapa, and Oglala Lakota Nations. She was born in Pine Ridge and raised in Rapid City. Sabrina plans to attend Black Hills State University and joining the United States Air Force. She attended Oglala Sioux Tribe Headstart in 2000 then Rural America Initiative (RAI) Dakota Transitional Head Start Program in 2001. She learned to play the cello nine years ago in the Rapid City Area Schools Orchestra Program. "Rapid City Art allowed me to express my creativity to which I was selected in 'Best of the West' to display art at the Dahl Arts Center," Sabrina said. Sabrina chooses and continues to live a healthy, drug and alcohol free life and credits her participation in the Ateyapi Program for keeping her focused and balanced. She hopes to continue to mentor and be a role model for younger Native American girls. The past few summers, she has participated in the SDGearUp Program - a 7-week camp at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology campus here in Rapid City. In 2012-2013, she represented the Wambli Ska New Year’s Wacipi as “Miss Wambli Ska,” and was an avid participant of the Wambli Ska Dance & Drum Group. While “Miss Wambli Ska,” she has represented the group as she traveled to various powwows. To being a proud Native American fancy shawl dancer, Sabrina said, “It was a privilege and once in a lifetime experience being Miss He Sapa Win 2013-2014, to which I represented the beautiful Black Hills region, it was an honor bestowed upon me at the He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate - Black Hills Powwow in October 2013. I had the opportunity to meeting so many friends, share our culture and traditions through performances and presentations, and attend numerous powwows.” Sabrina has had her shares of ups and downs. She has not allowed anaphylaxis to hold her back from being a good student and an avid volunteer at community events such as; an annual basketball tournament, Youth and Family Services Kids Fair, and has donated over 100 hours to the Journey Museum. When asked about her community, Sabrina says, “My focus is to help better my community by leading by example. I know younger kids look up to us and understand our positive attitude and attributes encourage them to be a better person and to carry on their own legacy. In addition, I actively participate in my culture every weekend or as often as I can. I am a fancy shawl dancer and I dance jingle and traditional style when given the opportunity.” (Contact Richie Richards staffwriter@nsweekly.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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