I would like to thank you for taking the time to visit my website. I am honored to be a person you may be considering for your event. I would like to start by saying THANK YOU for the work and committment that you have for our Native American people, especially our youth. I have been blessed to have had many opportunites to travel throughout the country and to many reservations to speak to our youth, elders, and everyone in between about the struggles we face and the sacrifices it takes to be successful. I do not have the story of a man who once lived a drug and alcohol filled life of partying and have now have made drastic changes. Instead, my story is about the way I have lived my life free of all drugs and alcohol. It's my story of how I was able to grow up on a small reservation, like many, that is plagued with alcoholism, drugs, peer pressure, and poverty, yet made a committment to myself to never have a drink of alcohol or ever try a drug. It is my story of how I chased my hoop dreams and more importantly, my educational dreams fighting through many obstacles. It is my goal and prayer that my story will give our youth hope and direction to chase their dreams, pursue education, and to resist the pressure of drugs and alcohol.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me personally. Again, appreciate you taking the time to learn a little bit about me and what I do. I hope to hear from you soon.
~Rich
Biography
Richard Dionne, enrolled member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribe in Poplar, MT: Descendent of the Spirit Lake Sioux.
Born 06/30/81 in Williston, ND
Current Residence: Wapato, WA
Education: Associate of Arts 2001 Miles Community College : Bachelor of Science 2005, University of Nebraska-Kearney
I grew up in Poplar, MT on the Fort Peck Reservation. I am the eldest of 4 children. My parents are Maureen and Richard Dionne Sr. I graduated from Poplar High School in 1999. During my years in high school, sports were a significant part of my life. It kept me focused on my goals and taught me a lot about the values that I carry with me today. After graduating from high school, I went on to play basketball and further my education at Miles Community College. In 2001, I was fortunate enough to further both my basketball career and education at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in 2004.
Sports played a huge role in keeping me out of the negative influences that surround our youth today. Peer pressure was something that I faced almost daily growing up on the Ft. Peck Reservation. Poplar is a very small town, which made one even more vulnerable to give in to the peer pressure. I though made a promise to my parents and myself to never do drugs and alcohol, and I have maintained that promise to this day. It is now I promise I keep for my children.
In 2005, I got the opportunity to play in an exhibition game against the Yakama Sunkings, a professional basketball team in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). After this game, I received a call from the head coach of the Sunking’s, who asked me to play for the team. I of course accepted because at that time in my life, it was the ultimate achievement for me to play professional basketball. I played with the Yakama Sunking’s for two seasons (2005-2006, 2006-2007) where we won back to back CBA Championships. After playing for the Sunking’s, I met my future wife, who is a member of the Yakama Nation. We now live on the Yakama Reservation with our children.
I am currently a guidance counselor at the Yakama Nation Tribal School, where I work with Native Youth who have opened my eyes and heart with the many struggles that our kids face in today’s world. Giving back to our youth has been my long-term dream. I often share my story of my own struggles growing up and how I overcame the peer pressure to accomplish my personal and educational goals.
I have been blessed to have traveled across the country to many schools and reservations to share my story in hopes that it will inspire our youth to set goals and believe in themselves enough to fight through their personal challenges to achieve their dreams.
Article in New York Times www.nytimes.com/2005/11/21/national/21ball.html
Article in Bounce Magazine
Story about Richard Dionne in book: Native Athletes In Action by Vincent Schilling
Topics:
Motivational Speaking Dealing with Peer Pressure
Health and Wellness
Student Athletes
Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Prevention
Importance of Education
Suicide Prevention
Setting and Achieving Goals
Events
Youth Conferences
Schools
Youth Treatment Centers
Conferences/Workshops
Community Events
High School Graduations
For booking information contact:
Richard Dionne
TELEPHONE: (509)834-0339
E-MAIL: rdionne_hotmail.com
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