Respect is a gift from Buffalo. In all life, respect is first and foremost. Respect oneself, and respect will be bestowed. The buffalo, the land, and his resources are given absolute respect, for it is the condition of being honored. Once, millions of Buffalo lived in harmony with our people across the prairies. The buffalo respected the people by giving every part of its being for us to live. We show respect by giving what we can and taking only what we need. This is how we respect the earth and honor the land we live on, for it is where we come from and where we will return when we die. The Lakota phrase “ Mitakuye Oyasin” loosely translates as we are all related or all of my relations. While this phrase recognizes that everything is connected, it doesn’t mean we are all meant to be the same. “Oneness is NOT a measure of sameness.” Diversity and distinction are essential for a healthy system.

American Indian residential schools were established in the United States from the mid-17th to the early 20th centuries with a primary objective of "civilizing" or assimilating Native American children and youth into colonizer culture. In the process, these schools denigrated indigenous culture and made children give up their languages, practices, and spirituality. The children were taught “ acceptable” labor and domestic skills from which colonial industries could profit.

Participating in our culture provides an individual and the community with a sense of control over the conditions of our lives. When this process is disrupted, it prevents us from thriving in our natural environment and brings feelings of helplessness and despair.

You don't have to understand someone to have respect for them. Embracing individual beauty paves the way for collective growth. Respect is essential for us to feel safe to express ourselves without fear of being judged, humiliated, or discriminated against. Being respectful of others, being respected, and respecting ourselves increase our self-esteem, mental health, and inner peace.

Decolonization is for everyone. Both the colonized and the settlers suffered trauma in the process of colonization. The colonization process was voluntary for one group and involuntary for the other, yet it cost both groups to lose their history, traditional lands, and culture. Our overall goal is to teach a better way forward for community building. We recognize that all people have been brought up within oppressive systems. We allow room for mistakes and remain open for growth. 7Pillars was originally a “Second Chances” program for prisoners. People are not disposable. We know that people can change their hearts, minds, and lives. Those are the people who have the most significant impact on their communities.