We're the People of the Earth. We're the People of Mother Earth.

"Ashkapkawia is the name of our clan within the Apsáalooke (Crow) Tribe. We are a fearless clan, known for our willingness to take chances, get things done and explore new ideas - and we do it for a good purpose" (Peggy Wellknown Buffalo).

"When we build sustained community, we have to really look at moving away from a fossil fuel economy. So there's a link between energy and a dependency upon fossil fuels, but also how that's part of an economic system that is not sustainable; it's based upon unlimited growth" (Tom Goldtooth). 

Exploring a range of sustainable building and living concepts and tools to reflect the Circle of Life - merging the Original Instructions (Traditional Ecological Knowledge) along with intermediate technologies. We are constructing a thermal mass building where the earthen mass regulates the heating and cooling inside of the structure, maintaining approximately 70F ambient temperature (year round) without using fossil fuels.

"It's a place where we are going to learn about ourselves - and helping and humbling ourselves and in helping each other and understanding each other and living with the way things are today and trying to make the best of it...with what we have in our back yard. It will be an Indigenous gathering place for people with brilliant minds - people who are gifted with minds that can create. This center and this building are going to help get People well" (peggy Wellknown Buffalo).

"Built on the site of the Battle of Little Big Horn (Battle of Greasy Grass) where the battle of 1876 took place. It's a place that's needed to be healed for a long time. It's a place that represents colonization. Building our Askapkawia Indigenous Media Center here - we would like to reverse that - and have healing come from this place. As human beings we can work together to make change to a more compassionate world. We are looking to bring in young people to train to become media makers from Indigenous communities. the community radio station we have operating here already (Crow Voices Radio), will be part of this whole plan. The most powerful way to empower people is through communication. And, this building as training place for Indigenous young people, could bring their voices to the forefront" (Susan Kelly).

"Some of the components of sustained community - looking at how we are going to feed ourselves around the concepts of food sovereignty, how we're going to clothe ourselves...and also our housing and dwellings - what kinds of Native-based Indigenous dwellings well as intermediate technologies around housing...but also how we build community. When we start to bring back the importance of who we are - the importance of those Traditional values - and those teachings that define the relationship with The Unci Maca  (with The Grandmother Earth)" (Tom Goldtooth).

It's the epitome of what makes life important. It teaches young people how to treat people fairly, how to live life without pain, how to live life to the fullest and what the true values are" (Susan Kelly).

"We're the People of the Earth. We're the People of Mother Earth. And it's (Askapkawia Indigenous Media Center) is going to be beautiful - like we are. We are beautiful People. We have to live in things that provide beauty and meaning and teachings - that we appreciate. Aho" (Peggy Wellknown Buffalo)

Peggy Wellknown Buffalo
Founding Director, The Center Pole

Peggy Wellknown Buffalo
Program Director, The Center Pole

Tom Goldtooth
Founding Director, Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN)