SuAnne Big Crow Boys and Girls Club celebrates 20 years of succe - KOTA Territory News
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SuAnne Big Crow was known on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation for being a scholar athlete.
Twenty years ago, it was her dream to open a youth center in Pine Ridge.
But when her life was cut short, her mom made her dream a reality and she opened the first Boys and Girls Club on Native American Land.
This week, the club celebrates two decades of success.
"We started with $32," said Leatrice Chick Big Crow.
32 dollars and Leatrice Chick Big Crow's daughter's big dream.
"SuAnne had a dream to have a place where everyone could have fun, be safe and free of alcohol, drugs and racism," said Big Crow.
But after SuAnne 's tragic death, Big Crow carried on her daughter's dream.
She opened the SuAnne Big Crow Boys and Girls Club; the first club in the country to open on a reservation.
And 20 years later it's still thriving.
"20 years in Indian country is a really big thing, because things don't last for 20 years in Indian country, especially youth programs," said Big Crow.
Today about 200 Boys and Girls Clubs serve more than 100 thousand Native American youth in 24 states.
The goal is to provide a safe place for children to learn and grow after school.
Big Crow says during the last two decades, she's made lifelong friends with many children here in Pine Ridge.
"I remember all of them, didn't think I would, but there have been thousands of kids through here," said Big Crow.
Thousands of kids such as club alumni Chaz Thompson who's well on his way to fulfilling his dream of becoming a registered nurse.
"It's been a journey for me, from being in the Boys and Girls Club and working and getting experience. It's one good big journey and it's still continuing on as I speak now", said Thompson.
Thompson says much of that success is in part to Big Crow's guidance and encouragement.
"She's a good friend, a boss, a mentor, and really one of those people you don't want to let go of quickly, you want to hold on to them for a while," said Thompson.
Big Crow says when the going gets tough; it's the children that keep her going.
"When it gets really hard, I'll stand outside and watch the bus drop kids off and the look on their faces as they're running towards the club; that revives me," said Big Crow.
And revives her daughter's dream, keeping SuAnne's legacy alive.
"We are meant to be here. So something's going to happen to keep us here, and it has for 20 years," said Big Crow.
The SuAnne Boys and Girls Club serves more than 500 children each year between the ages of 7 and 18.
Big Crow says she hopes others will look at the club and be inspired to open one in their own community.
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518 St. Joseph St.
Telephone: 605.342.2000 
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