The Oglala Lakota Children’s Justice Center’s (OLCJC) developed the Zuya Yuha O’mani Program (Walking everywhere in spiritual strength/defense of the children) to provide comprehensive and holistic advocacy for Native children and families who have been traumatized by sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. The program conducts forensic interviews and provides culturally appropriate counseling and case management while integrating Lakota language, customs, traditions, and ceremonies to assist children and families with healing.
Located on the Pine Ridge Reservation, the program uses contemporary methods while integrating traditional Lakota customs to strengthen a child’s spirit, teaching them traditional values and ceremonies. The goal is to create a better way of life for children and families in crisis by helping them reclaim their heritage, identity, and self-esteem. OLCJC has a unique place in the community’s network of social and judicial services, in that staff are committed to providing Lakota cultural services and filling gaps in the needs of children. Staff provide safety for children during crisis situations and restore them through smudging with traditional medicines, speaking in Lakota to them, and Prayer Circles. The OLCJC Program is one of the five projects that partnered with the Center for Native Children and Family Resilience to design/refine, implement, and evaluate their child maltreatment prevention of interventions for American Indian and Alaskan Native children and families.
