Index

The Center Pole

Address:

Organization Description: The Center Pole is a small Native-run youth and community development organization located on the Crow Indian Reservation in rural southeastern Montana. Its mission is to empower Native American youth through knowledge, experience and global awareness, to train youth as agents of change and to promote a just society for Native American people. It acts as a portal for the exchange of information, ideas and understanding. 

Issue Area(s):

• Youth Services
• Education 

Type(s) of Bonner Partnership Connections:

• Alternative Break Site
• Internship opportunity
• Educational opportunity
• Job opportunity
• Resource Provider

Internship Position

Internship Description: The Center Pole seeks to alleviate poverty through a variety of practical projects focused on teaching Native American reservation youth cost effective and sustainable living skills as well as supporting them in bridging the social, cultural and educational gaps that usually prevent them from obtaining college and professional degrees. Interns work directly with youth and support the every day operations of the rural youth center. They can be assigned to projects that match their interests, such as house construction, tutoring, ranch work, cooking, art entrepreneurship classes, assisting with visiting volunteer groups, etc. Interns become part of the family and must be willing to participate fully in a culture very different than their own. The work is hard, the accomodations rustic and the hours are long. They must be mature, flexible and ready for a full cultural immersion in a poor community. 

The Center Pole is drug and alcohol free. It is a felony to possess alcohol on the Crow Indian Reservation. Interns must sign an agreement and honor pledge concerning drinking and drugs, culturally appropriate behavior and other ground rules to participate.   

Internship Start/End Dates:

Application Process: Write us a letter or email introducing yourself. We will ask you respond to some questions and give us two reference letters. Then, we will interview you by phone and answer all the questions you may have. Please apply by May 1 for the summer. For other internships, apply at least 3 months before you would like to come. We also host group trips.

Application Deadline:

Stipend Provided?: No

Housing Provided?: Yes

Hosted Bonners before?:

Service Opportunity

Service Opportunity Description:

Service Opportunity Start/End Dates:

Resource Opportunity

Resources Available: 

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