PAHA SAPA TWO SPIRIT PRESS RELEASE

PAHA SAPA TWO SPIRIT FORMED

A large group of very enthusiastic Native Americans representing three different tribes came together on Saturday evening May 19^th at The Center West in Rapid City to create an organization for Native Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people.

They chose the name Paha Sapa Two Spirit as the name of the group. Paha Sapa because it is the Native term for The Black Hills and Two Spirit because it is the term that describes the traditional place and role of GLBT Natives in the traditional culture and spirituality of most Native American tribes.

The purpose of Paha Sapa Two Spirit will be to provide support for Two Spirited Natives and to be a vehicle for educating each other, the various tribes and the community as a whole about the traditional place of honor for GLBT people in Native Spirituality and Culture. It will help to inform the community about the unique problems and struggles of GLBT Natives in South Dakota. It will also provide a means for Native Two Spirits to come together, network, socialize and have fun in a positive, productive environment.

Paha Sapa Two Spirit will be meeting twice a month at 7pm on the first and third Saturday of each month at The Center West, 3601 Canyon Lake Dr. Suite 4 Rapid City, SD. It is planned that the next meeting on June 2^nd will be a sweat at a place to be announced.

Plans were also made to participate in South Dakota PrideFest 2007 to be held July 21^st and 22^nd at the Whispering Pines Campground in the Black Hills and to help with the Aids Walk to be held on September 29^th in Rapid City.

A Two Spirit logo and brochures are in the works and should be ready for distribution by the middle of June.

Paha Sapa Two Spirit is sponsored and supported by The Center West, a 501-c-3 Non-profit providing support, information, education and referral services to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community in Western South Dakota. For more information about Paha Sapa Two Spirit or any of the other services and programs offered by The Center West, call 605-348-3244 or e-mail: info@thecenterwest.org. Tax Deductible contributions can be sent to: The Center West, 3601 Canyon Lake Dr. Suite 4, Rapid City, S.D. 57702.