Kind Hearted Women’s Society
We are an Indigenous-led young women’s society dedicated to addressing the unique gaps in mentorship and programs for young Indigenous women embracing their culture.
Connecting to Indiginous Culture
The images below illustrate the participation of young women in sacred Lakota traditions, reflecting key learning experiences offered through this program
Sage Bundles
Sage bundles, prepared by the young women, are distributed among community members for utilization in cultural ceremonies and traditional cleansing.
Ceremony Food
Ceremony foods, are traditional healing dishes served at Lakota ceremonies. In the photo above the young woman are preparing for a Inipi ceremony.
Tobacco Ties
Tabacco ties are a sacred practice shared by many indigenous peoples to offer prayers, intentions and gratitude. They can be gifted as a sign of respect, hung on trees, or laid on the earth, in water or in the sweat to give back to mother earth,
Leadership and Legacy: The Story Of President Caylee Martinez White Eagle
Caylee Martinez White Eagle, an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, was born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota. Despite growing up in a community challenged by gangs, violence, substance abuse, and other adverse influences, Caylee remained committed to her cultural heritage and academic excellence.
At age four, she started her grandfather's drum and dance group, becoming a healing Jingle dress dancer. For over a decade, she has inspired peers to engage with their culture. She has earned numerous powwow royalty titles and still dances to this day. Her passion for cultural preservation and youth empowerment led her to become a youth mentor at the age of 15.
Following her grandfather's passing, Caylee and her family continued his legacy by establishing weekly basketball tournaments to provide positive outlets for youth. She later became the head youth mentor at the Wambli Ska Teen Center, a Native-led nonprofit fostering resilience and community strength.
Caylee's dedication to empowering indigenous youth and promoting cultural connection has earned her respect within her community. She has been invited to speak at high level forums and conferences such as the ‘Gun sense university conference’, that aims to advance gun safety in the United States, focusing on issues like city gun violence, domestic violence, guns in schools, and mass shootings. She also was invited to speak at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, that addresses the concerns and rights of the world’s indigenous peoples: ‘Emphasizing The Voices of Indigenous Youth’.
Inspired by her experiences at these conferences, and all that she’s learned while being a youth mentor, Caylee recognized the significance of amplifying young indigenous voices and educating others about critical cultural issues. She envisioned an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting cultural practices and traditional lakota ways. She then founded the Kind-Hearted Women's Society to provide comprehensive support and tools for young indigenous women to unlock their potential and drive positive change.
As a young Lakota woman, Caylee understands the importance of cultural connection during transition from adolescence to adulthood. Her lived experiences and mentorship have inspired many. She is committed to making this work her lifelong mission, passing on valuable traditions to future generations through prayer, courage, determination, and love for her community and culture.
