A new initiative to address the opioid epidemic in tribal communities in South Dakota launches today.
“Skyhawk Reborn” is a fully–animated digital and print comic series that focuses on opioid misuse and abuse while using indigenous culture and tradition to connect with readers.
It’s the result of a grant received by the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board to fund an opioid response program providing prevention, treatment, and recovery support services.
The Health Board coordinated with a communications firm to produce the “Skyhawk Reborn” comic series as a creative way to engage and educate youth in Indian country.
Program manager Staci Eagle Elk says the grant services all individuals 10 and older, following through on the adage that “the younger you can start educating the better.
Eagle Elk believes the cultural element Skyhawk Reborn is key to reaching the intended audience, and is the reason the comic is printed in three languages: English, Lakota, and soon – Dakota.
Skyhawk Reborn premieres this afternoon at 2:00 on the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board Facebook page