The SuAnne Big Crow Boys & Girls Club was the first charter member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to be established on an Indian reservation and has paved the way for more than 100 clubs that have opened since. Six years after SuAnne’s passing, at the 23rd annual Northwest Indian Youth Conference in Billings, Mt., she was acknowledged in the program:
"SuAnne was a nationally known role model who dedicated her short life to helping make the Pine Ridge Reservation a better place to live for everybody. She dreamed of a place she called "Happytown"- a place where young people could learn and be safe from drugs and alcohol, violence and gangs. After her untimely death 'Happytown' became a reality and spearheaded the proliferation of American Indian Boys and Girls Clubs across the country. It is with highest respect that we acknowledge and thank the late SuAnne Big Crow. For if it were not for this beautiful dream, Boys and Girls Clubs of America may have never come to Indian Country."
Brief History
The original club, opened in 1992, was housed in a converted industrial building which was donated by the Tribe. One room was used for indoor recreation such as pool, foosball, table tennis, etc. Another room was used for arts and crafts, discussion groups and story time.
Our current facility, completed in 2002, is a state of the art facility with an indoor gymnasium, competition sized swimming pool, library, computer, teen, dance, arts and crafts rooms, plus a spectacular lobby/games room. This dream come true is the result of President Bill Clinton's visit to the reservation in the summer of 1999, and subsequent grants from four Federal agencies.
Where is the facility?
The facility is located on State Highway 18, about one mile east of Pine Ridge Village (the intersection of Hwy 18 and 385). From the east on Interstate 90, exit at the Kadoka exit, #150, and follow highway 73 south to Highway 18. Travel west on Highway 18 through Martin and Batesland, to the club, which will be on the right hand (north) side of the road.
How to get there?
From the Black Hills area or from Rapid City, take highway 79 south towards Hot Springs, and follow the signs to Highway 18, through Oglala and Pine Ridge Village. At the traffic light turn left to stay on Highway 18 and continue one mile past Pine Ridge Village. The Club will be on the left. The location of the facility is marked by the dot labeled Pine Ridge at the center of the map.
On Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MmLY9miRFuWyLbyr6
