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 Center Pole founder, Peggy White Wellknown Buffalo, with the Crow children her program serves.
Organization: The Center Pole
Year: 2002-Present
Tribe: Crow
Reservation: Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations
Location: Garryowen, MT
At the Center Pole, on the Crow Reservation in southeastern Montana, youth hone their natural creativity and ingenuity while learning about entrepreneurship and academics. The Center Pole’s mission is not just to teach Crow children about their rich traditions and heritage, but to incorporate this knowledge into their everyday life through storytelling, gardening, service projects, sports, and singing competitions.
The Center Pole was founded in 1999 by Peggy White Wellknown Buffalo (Crow) and has evolved a great deal over the past seven years in partnership with the Kelly Foundation, an organization that assists American Indian students in obtaining college degrees.
On a Reservation where there is dire poverty and acute need, the Center Pole provides children with a safe haven where they can develop emotionally, academically, and spiritually according to Crow tradition.
Some of the programs Center Pole provides include:
• a food bank for families in need
• a children's learning center
• a children's garden
• a community thrift store where all proceeds benefit Center Pole programs
• a straw-bale home ownership program
• a youth entrepreneurship program
• a social justice forum
• a café that roasts its own coffee and all proceeds benefit Center Pole programs
• a volunteer program for youth to learn civic responsibility.
The Center Pole also often cares for children with no other options until a permanent placement can be found for them on the Reservation.
 A young girl cares for horses at the Center Pole.
A Li Mi A is a place for youth to:
• strengthen their leadership, reading, and math skills
• participate in Crow cultural activities
• learn traditional stories from tribal elders
• get hands-on entrepreneurship and training from local artisans
• learn about owning a business
• develop long-term goals and money management skills
• interact with a broad range of teachers and volunteers from all over the country and abroad
• prepare for college.
Running Strong provides general support to the Center Pole for year-round youth activities.
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