October 14 is Indigenous Peoples' Day, and we’re honoring the occasion by chatting with middle blocker Lauren Schad. From Rapid City, South Dakota, Lauren is a member of the Cheyenne River Lakota Tribe and celebrates her culture as much as possible, which can be difficult for long parts of the year as she has played professionally in France for six seasons. Despite the distance, Lauren has always felt support from the Indigenous community and gives back by hosting volleyball clinics or supporting organizations that raise awareness of the missing and murdered Indigenous women epidemic. From South Dakota to San Diego to continental Europe, Lauren has brought her culture to wherever she’s lived. We’re honored for her to share it with LOVB today. Topics include:

• Honoring the Cheyenne River Lakota Tribal tradition
• Finding volleyball through a layup
• College on the west coast
• Realizing that going pro is an option
• Overcoming isolation in her rookie year
• Growing the game in Native communities 
• Induction into the Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame
• Giving those who cannot speak the opportunity to do so
• Retiring from volleyball and rediscovering joy in volleyball
• Rug-making and textile work

Follow Lauren on Instagram and Facebook. Her company, Wicahpi Rugs & Textiles, is also on Instagram and Facebook.  Resources mentioned:

• IllimiNative | Instagram
• Indigenous Intentions
• MMIUSA
• MMIWhoismissing | Instagram
• Reclaim Your Power
• Red House Project
• Red Ribbon Skirt Society 
• Seeding Sovereignty
• Seeing Red
• Urban Indigenous Collective

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Senior Producer: Anya Alvarez 
Executive Producers: Carrie Stett, Tamara Deike, and Lindsay Hoffman
Theme Music: Pancakes by Eric W. Mast, Jr.
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