Children who are strong in their traditions will have more success in resisting social peer pressures as they grow older.

That is the thought behind Lakota Circles of Hope, a new education program that teaches elementary school children on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations to make healthy decisions based on traditional Lakota values. The Bush Foundation has provided matching funds for the project, which is led by Catholic Social Services.

"The purpose is to teach kids how to avoid risky behaviors," said Helen Merriman, the communications and development director for Catholic Social Services.

Jim Kinyon, executive director of CSS, said 10 schools and 1,000 children have been served by the program so far.

Using Lakota traditions, culture and values, Lakota Circles of Hope teaches students how to live a healthy lifestyle and make healthy choices - learning how to say no to alcohol, drugs, sexual promiscuity and gangs.

An awareness and fundraising event will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4, at Prairie Edge Trading Co. and Galleries at Sixth and Main streets.

Area businesses have donated auction items for the event, including a weekend in Mexico, framing for prints and prints signed by local artists.

Organizers say Lakota Circles of Hope was developed as a collaborative project drawing on local leadership of Lakota elders, educational professionals and CSS staff. The curriculum development committee was selected because of their knowledge and experience in Lakota culture, curriculum development and program evaluation.

"It's very much a partnership," Merriman said.

Because the program is in its infancy, it's important to build its financial foundation so it can continue, she said.

"We know that grants end; we're well aware of that," she said. "Ours won't for a few years, but we're working very hard on working on our sustainability."

Kinyon said CSS is receiving more requests from school officials who would like to see the program introduced in their schools.

"If we ever get to a point in time where we need to look at expansion, we need to look at that process now," he said.

Kinyon said he's been in the classroom when the curriculum is being used, and it's exactly as he envisioned it.

"It exceeds what we would have even dreamed of," he said. "The kids are very engaged by traditional stories that reinforce the material."

If you go

What: Premiere of Lakota Circles of Hope

How: Reserve ticket, call 348-6086

When: June 4 at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Prairie Edge, Sixth and Main streets

Contact Kayla Gahagan at kayla.gahagan@rapidcityjournal.com or 394-8410.