Oct 15, 2021

Whiteclay Makerspace brings transformation, art to Pine Ridge Reservation

Posted Oct 15, 2021 5:30 PM

By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle Post

The Whiteclay Makerspace will hold their official grand opening/open house on Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

"Come see the transformation of this place," Whiteclay Makerspace President Jonathan Ruybalid said. "The transformation of Whiteclay in reality. It's not the Whiteclay that so many of us remember. It is a place where things are happening. The Family Dollar there is a high grossing store. The parking lot is always full. The grocery store is hopping all the time, Abe's is rolling and we are busy. We're kind of doing this celebration in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Rapid City/Hot Springs. They jumped in and did what Rotary Club calls a global grant. We got a global partner from India, in addition to a club from New Hampshire. They raised money. They raised almost $65,000 to purchase equipment and supplies. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. we'll have refreshments, drinks and there will be artists there and crafters showing what they're doing, displaying their wares. You'll be able to tour and walk through the 3,700 square foot building and see the transformation for yourself as well as catch the vision for what's next."

The business is a safe space for Pine Ridge Indian Reservation residents, Whiteclay artists and craftspeople to create art. 

"The Whiteclay Makerspace idea came about as things were transitioning in Whiteclay in 2017," Ruybalid said. "The beer stores were appealing their denial of their liquor license. There was a survey done of residents in and around Whiteclay on the Pine Ridge Reservation about if things change in Whiteclay, what do you think we need to have there? There were all kinds of ideas. At the top of the list was the need for a place for artists and crafters to have access to tools, equipment, supplies and resources to help them support themselves and their families."

Ruybalid said there was a test done that 72% of people that live on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation depend on home-based businesses. Of that 72%, about 70% are artists and crafters. 

"Most of them are considered kitchen table artists," Ruybalid said. "They clear a spot on their kitchen table to try to do their work. They really don't have good sewing machines, quilting machines and simple tools like dremels. And so, modeled after a Makerspace in Lincoln on the old state fair grounds, we decided to find a place...and build a place that would provide those things for artists and crafters."

Panhandle Post asked Ruybalid how he thinks the Makerspace will benefit Whiteclay and the Pine Ridge Reservation. 

"At the core of what we're doing is, we're providing a place for artist and crafters to help themselves," Ruybalid said. "Basically, create jobs for them. It allows them to use their natural skills, gifts and learned abilities to support themselves. In addition, it kind of helps to carry their culture. It's artist that really carry the culture forward.  So it allows them to pass it down to other generations. At the core of what we are doing is kind of economic development right there at Pine Ridge. We're really hoping that it will be an increase in the way in which, Lakota artists and crafters can use their skills to make their lives better economically for themselves and their whole community. " 

Ruybalid said there's been thousands of dollars in sales globally since Whiteclay Makerspace was constructed. Some of those sales were through their online store at https://whiteclay-makerspace.myshopify.com/.

81-year-old Wilma Thin Elk from Pine Ridge/Oglala Sioux Reservation is one of those artists that creates handmade jewelry, star quilts, necklaces bracelets and earrings.

Panhandle Post asked Ruybalid how long it took to transform the old Whiteclay liquor store into the Makerspace. 

"Longer than I thought," Ruybalid laughed. "I'd like to blame it all on COVID, but I can't. We closed down this building in December of 2018. I think I was optimistic that I thought we could be up and running in six months. We were able to open up a little bit that first summer of 2019. The building needed a lot more love and attention then we knew, even know the bones and the systems were in good place. It takes a labor of love and hundreds of volunteer hours to clean out, tear down, build up, paint, scrub, all that...and fill it with machines and tools. You know, long arm quilting machines and sewing machines and work tables...and a supply store that artists and crafters can use. We had hoped to open last summer, but obviously 2020 was its own kind of year. It was really this summer that we were able to have regular hours starting in late July."

People can donate to Whiteclay Makerspace at https://whiteclayredo.com/. You can also make a check to Whiteclay Makerspace and mail to P.O. Box 6, Whiteclay NE, 69365. 

"Our goal is that the operations of this become self sustaining," Ruybalid said. "The business model is that artists pay $1 a day to use the space. The Rotary Club got a donation of a leather sewing machine that's quality enough. It's all kinds of equipment. So, they can use it for a $1 a day, max of $8 a month. When the artists sell something through our online store; we have a Shopify store that you can link to through our website as well, then we take 12% of their sale. The artists price whatever they're selling, if they want to add that 12% to their price that's up to them. If an artist comes and sets up to sell things during the day and they sell something then they pay us $10 to be able to set up for that day. Then we have a store. We sell beads and all those kinds of things...supplies that the artist can use and crafters can use instead of having to drive all the way to Rapid City to buy something. So those four sources of revenue, where our model is that, that will basically get to where it's paying to keep the lights on, pay our supervisors and kind of up keep on the machines. Contributions will allow us to grow and do more, get additional equipment. We want to put on events. We want to do youth camps."

Ruybalid said they just got a grant to put up an outdoor pavilion. 

"We want to have open market places like on a summer evening," Ruybalid said. "So tourists, visitors, community members and volunteers can come and have an outdoor covered area...artists and crafters will have set up their tables with their things...maybe have live music, or dance exhibitions or lessons."

Ruybalid hopes lots of people come out to the Whiteclay Makerspace grand opening/open house on Sunday. 

"We'd love to see all the folks that we can on Sunday, but of course they're always welcome to visit," Ruybalid said. "You won't recognize the place. For years...whether it was the New York Times calling it 'the Worst Town in the Nation' or economists calling it 'the Skid Row of the Plains', its been transformed. Senator Tom Brewer said; as he's part of supporting it, 'Whiteclay can be known for good, not just bad'. And that's our goal."