Giving Back: The Rosebud Sioux Tribe Adult Corrections Facility & Substance Use Recovery Initiative in Action

On the Rosebud Reservation, healing doesn’t stop at recovery — it extends into rebuilding community and restoring purpose. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe Adult Corrections Facility and the Substance Use Recovery Initiative are working together to show that giving back is one of the most powerful parts of recovery.

Through service, teamwork, and compassion, individuals within the program are proving that everyone has something valuable to contribute. Whether it’s lending a hand during emergencies, helping organize events, or simply showing up to support the community, their efforts are creating ripples of hope and understanding across the reservation.

Recently, program participants joined in community efforts like sandbagging during floods and helping local families prepare for difficult weather. These moments of service allow participants to reconnect with their values, their families, and the people they serve alongside.

This year, the Substance Use Recovery Initiative will also be part of the annual Trunk or Treat at Ghost Hawk Park. Staff and participants will set up games for kids, share information about recovery resources, and grill hot dogs for everyone who stops by. It’s a chance to meet the community in a positive, supportive way — reminding everyone that healing is not just about treatment, but about togetherness.

“Recovery is more than a program — it’s a commitment to our people.”

By taking part in community events, participants are learning that true healing includes responsibility, service, and connection. It’s about walking the path back to balance — wówaši, the Lakota way of working for something greater than ourselves.

The Substance Use Recovery Initiative continues to grow, guided by the belief that recovery can rebuild lives, strengthen families, and restore hope to the community. Through every event, every meal served, and every act of kindness, they are showing what it means to live the Lakota value of wóphila — gratitude.

As we come together at Trunk or Treat, we invite everyone to stop by, enjoy some food, play a few games, and visit with our team. Let’s celebrate community, compassion, and the power of healing — together.