JOHN: TONIGHT ON PBS NEWS WEEKEND, RUSSIA SAYS A UKRANIAN DRONE ATTACK SET A NUCLEAR PLANT ON FIRE, AS CEREMONIES IN KYIV MARK 34 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE.

THEN, HOW SOPHISTICATED CRIMINAL NETWORKS ARE FAKING STUDENTS' IDENTITIES TO STEAL MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM U.S.

COLLEGES.

AND THREE BROTHERS FROM SCOTLAND WHO ARE ATTEMPTING TO ROW 9000 MILES ACROSS THE PACIFIC TO RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS FOR CLEAN WATER PROJECTS.

>> IT'S A REAL CHALLENGE IN RESILIENCE AND NOT JUST YOUR PHYSICAL ABILITY TO DO IT, BUT I THINK MENTALLY STAYING POSITIVE, KEEPING MORALE UP.

ANNOUNCER: MAJOR FUNDING FOR PBS NEWS WEEKEND HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY -- >> IN 1995, TWO FRIENDS SET OUT TO MAKE WIRELESS COVERAGE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.

WITH NO LONG-TERM CONTRACTS, NATIONWIDE COVERAGE AND 100% U.S.-BASED CUSTOMER SUPPORT, CONSUMER CELLULAR.

FREEDOM CALLS.

ANNOUNCER: THE ONGOING SUPPORT OF THESE INDIVIDUALS AND INSTITUTIONS.

AND FRIENDS OF THE NEWS HOUR.

THIS PROGRAM WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

JOHN: GOOD EVENING, I'M JOHN YANG.

TODAY, UKRAINE MARKED 34 Y YRS SINCE DECLARING ITS INDEPENDENCE FROM THE SOVIET UNION, EVEN AS ITS WAR TO REPEL RUSSIAN INVADERS STRETCHES ON.

IN KYIV'S INDENPEDENCE SQUARE, PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY STOOD WITH UKRAINIAN TROOPS FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE TO HONOR FALLEN FIGHTERS.

IN SAINT SOPHIA CATHEDRAL, ZELENSKY AND FAITH LEADERS OFFERED A PRAYER FOR PEACE.

THEN, HE, HIS WIFE AND CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER MARK CARNEY PLACED FLOWERS AT A MEMORIAL WALL DEDICATED TO FALLEN SOLDIERS.

MEANWHILE, THE PATH TO PEACE REMAINS UNCERTAIN.

ON NBC'S MEET THE PRESS, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEY LAVROV SAID THAT PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN WON'T BE SITTING DOWN WITH ZELENSKYY ANY TIME SOON.

>> PUTIN IS READY TO MEET WITH ZELENSKYY WHEN THE AGENDA WOULD BE READY FOR A SUMMIT, AND THIS AGENDA IS NOT READY AT ALL.

THERE ARE SEVERAL PRINCIPLES WHICH WASHINGTON BELIEVES MUST BE ACCEPTED, INCLUDING NO NATO MEMBERSHIP, INCLUDING THE DISCUSSION OF TERRITORIAL ISSUES, AND ZELENSKYY SAID NO TO EVERYTHING.

JOHN: PUTIN IS READY TO MEET - - RUSSIA SAID AN OVERNIGHT UKRAINIAN DRONE ATTACK STARTED A FIRE AT A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN KURSK.

PLANT OFFICIALS SAID THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND RADIATION LEVELS ARE NORMAL.

DESPITE THE FIGHTING, THE TWO COUNTRIES EXCHANGED PRISONERS OF WAR -- 146 FROM EACH SIDE.

TO THE WAR IN GAZA NOW -- WHERE THE DESPERATION TO REACH FOOD AID IS HITTING A NEW HIGH.

WITNESSES SAID ISRAELI TROOPS KILLED FOUR PEOPLE WHO WERE TRAVELING THROUGH A MILITARY ZONE SOUTH OF GAZA CITY, ON THEIR WAY TO A FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITE.

AND THE GAZANS HEALTH MINISTRY REPORTED EIGHT DEATHS RELATED TO MALNUTRITION INCLUDING A CHILD, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO NEARLY 300.

THERE ARE REPORTS THE PENTAGON IS PLANNING A MILITARY DEPLOYMENT TO CHICAGO AS PART OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CRACKDOWN ON CRIME, HOMELESSNESS AND UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRATION.

IF APPROVED, THE MISSION WOULD HAVE PARALLELS TO DEPLOYMENTS TO LOS ANGELES AND WASHINGTON, D.C. ILLINOIS GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER AND CHICAGO MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON -- BOTH DEMOCRATS -- SAY SENDING TROOPS IS UNWELCOME AND UNWARRANTED.

ON FRIDAY, THE PRESIDENT TOUTED HIS INTERVENTION IN WASHINGTON AND SUGGESTED THAT CHICAGO COULD BE NEXT, FOLLOWED BY NEW YORK CITY.

AND, VILNIUS, LITHUANIA WAS THE CENTER OF THE CORGI COSMOS THIS WEEKEND AS THOUSANDS GATHERED IN THE CITY'S LARGEST PARK TO WATCH AN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION THAT DREW 120 TEAMS OF THE WELSH BREED.

CORGIS FROM ACROSS EUROPE BATTLED IN GROUP RACES, SOLO SPRINTS, AND COSTUME CHALLENGES.

LITHUANIAN-OWNED MANGO WON THE SOLO RACE.

HIS OWNER SAID HE KNOWS WHAT HE DID AND HE'S REALLY PROUD OF HIMSELF.

STILL TO COME ON PBS NEWS WEEKEND.

HOW SCAMMERS CREATE FAKE IDENTITIES TO STEAL COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND THREE BROTHERS ROWING ACROSS THE PACIFIC OCEAN AT WORLD RECORD PACE.

NNOUNCER: THIS IS PBS NEWS WEEKEND FROM THE DAVID M RUBENSTEIN STUDIO AT WETA IN WASHINGTON, HOME OF THE PBS NEWS HOUR WEEKNIGHTS ON PBS.

JOHN: THERE IS A RISING THREAT U.S.

COLLEGES HAVE TO DEAL WITH - - SOPHISTICATED CRIMINAL NETWORKS ARE USING IDENTITY THEFT TO DISGUISE THEMSELVES AS STUDENTS.

THEY FLOOD COLLEGES WITH APPLICATIONS IN ORDER TO SIPHON OFF TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FINANCIAL AID.

WHAT'S MORE, THEY'RE TAKING UP SEATS THAT REAL STUDENTS NEED.

A SERIES OF RECENT REPORTS REVEALED THAT THESE SO-CALLED GHOST STUDENTS EVEN GO AS FAR AS TURNING IN HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS SO THEY DON'T GET DROPPED FROM CLASSES.

AS COLLEGES ARE SET TO BEGIN A NEW ACADEMIC YEAR, ALI ROGIN SPOKE WITH AMANDA GERUT OF FORTUNE, WHO'S BEEN REPORTING ON THIS GROWING SCAM.

>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

LET'S START WITH THE BASIC QUESTION WHICH IS WHAT OUR GHOST STUDENTS AND HOW DO THEY OPERATE?

>> GHOST STUDENTS ARE MASSES OF SYNTHETIC OR FAKE IDENTITIES AND THEY ARE USED BY THESE SOPHISTICATED CRIMINAL NETWORKS TO FLOOD COLLEGE APPLICATIONS ENROLLMENT SYSTEMS.

THESE ARE SOPHISTICATED BROAD RANK OPERATING OVERSEAS IN PLACES LIKE PAKISTAN, BANGLADESH AND VIETNAM, AND THEY ARE SWARMING COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEMS.

THEY ARE APPLYING, AND ROLLING, AND GETTING INTO CLASSES AND REQUESTING FINANCIAL AID.

SOMETIMES IT IS A REVENUE GENERATION SCHEME JUST ABOUT MAKING MONEY.

OTHER TIMES IT'S ABOUT GETTING THAT .EDU EMAIL ADDRESS.

THAT IS LIKE A GOLD BAR.

YOU LOOK LIKE A LEGITIMATE COLLEGE STUDENT AND YOU CAN GET DISCOUNTS ON LAPTOPS, SOFTWARE, STREAMING SERVICES AND FRAUDSTERS WANT A PIECE OF THAT ACTION.

> AND THE FINANCIAL ELEMENT FOR THOSE OPERATING STRICTLY OUT OF A PROFIT MOTIVE, HOW DOES THAT WORK?

THEY ARE GETTING STUDENT LOANS?

>> THEY ARE APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID, APPLYING FOR STUDENT LOANS, AND USUALLY THINK - - USING USUALLY STOLEN IDENTITIES TO DO SO.

SO THE VICTIMS ARE NOT JUST THE COLLEGES THEMSELVES BUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

PEOPLE ARE HAVING THEIR IDENTITIES STOLEN AND HAVING FINANCIAL AID TAKEN OUT IN THEIR NAMES.

>> WHAT DO WE KNOW RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE SCALE OF THIS PROBLEM?

>> THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM IS DIFFICULT TO PUT YOUR ARMS AROUND BECAUSE THESE SCAMMERS ARE STEALING LEGITIMATE PEOPLE'' IDENTITIES SO IT USUALLY TAKES A PERSON NOTICING SOMEONE HAS TAKEN OUT A LOAN IN THEIR NAME.

RIGHT NOW THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS IDENTIFIED $150 MILLION WITH INELIGIBLE STUDENTS AND $30 MILLION OF THAT WENT TO PEOPLE WHO WERE DEAD AND HAD THEIR IDENTITY SLOWED -- STOLEN.

IN CALIFORNIA, COMMUNITY COLLEGES HAVE BEEN HIT VERY HARD BUT IT IS NOT JUST A CALIFORNIA PROBLEM.

MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, OREGON, NEW JERSEY.

SOME LARGEST DISTRICTS ARE VULNERABLE TO THIS AND SOME OF THE SUPER SMALL RURAL COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE ALSO BEING HIT.

>> WHY IS IT THAT THESE RINGS ARE TARGETING THOSE SCHOOLS AS OPPOSED TO FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITIES THAT MIGHT HAVE MORE MONEY?

> COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE VULNERABLE TO THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE MEANT TO BE OPEN ACCESS INSTITUTIONS.

YOU CAN TAKE A CLASS WHEREVER YOU WANT -- WHENEVER YOU WANT AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE.

THEY ARE OPEN ACCESS.

AND THAT IT IS TYPICALLY REQUIRED BY STATUTE TO ACCEPT ANY ELIGIBLE STUDENT.

FRAUDSTERS KNOW THAT AND THEY ARE EXPLOITING THAT BY THE WAY THEY ARE FLOODING THE SYSTEMS.

>> CERTAINLY THE PEOPLE WHOSE IDENTITIES ARE BEING STOLEN OR LOSING MONEY BUT THERE'S ALSO A DOWNSIDE FOR THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS LEGITIMATELY TRYING TO OPERATE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM.

>> FOR REAL STUDENTS, EVERY DOLLAR THAT GOES TO A GHOST STUDENT IS ONE LESS DOLLAR FOR A LEGITIMATE STUDENT.

REAL STUDENTS ARE LOSING OUT ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET FINANCIAL AID TO PAY FOR THEIR CLASSES.

THEY ARE LOCKED OUT OF THE CLASSES THEY NEED TO GRADUATE, DELAYING PLANS TO GRADUATE.

THEY ARE LOCKED OUT OF CLASSES THEY PLANNED TO TAKE.

AND FOR TEACHERS, YOUR CLASS IS SUDDENLY FULL.

AND THEN NOBODY SHOWS UP ON THE FIRST DAY.

SO YOU HAVE THIS WASTED TIME AND WASTED ENERGY GOING TOWARDS THESE AI GENERATED GHOST STUDENTS WERE ALL THE ENERGY AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE TYPICALLY FOCUSED ON GETTING PEOPLE EDUCATED.

>> THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THE STUDENTS THAT ARE REGISTERED OR INFECTED HUMAN WHEN THEY ASKED THE STATE FOR MONEY.

WHAT BURDEN REMAINS ON THESE COLLEGES AND WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE RIGHT NOW?

>> THEY ARE DOING HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT RIGHT NOW.

SOME OF THEM ARE DOING MANUAL APPLICATION REVIEWS.

THEY ARE ASKING STUDENTS TO GO TO A NOTARY TO VERIFY THEIR IDENTITY.

THEY ARE ASKING THEM TO COME IN.

THE MORE BARRIERS YOU PUT IN FRONT OF STUDENTS TO GETTING EDUCATED, THE LESS ABLE THEY ARE TO ACCESS THOSE RESOURCES.

THAT IS PART OF THE PAIN POINT HERE.

HOW MUCH FRICTION DO YOU PUT IN THE SYSTEM FOR MAKING PEOPLE ABLE TO GET INTO COMMUNITY COLLEGE?

>> AMANDA GARRETT WITH FORTUNE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

OHN: NOW THE STORY ABOUT THREE BROTHERS, A BOAT, AND THOUSANDS OF MILES OF OCEAN.

THE BROTHERS ARE THE MACLEANS FROM SCOTLAND AND THEY'RE IN THE FINAL STRETCH OF THEIR ATTEMPT TO ROW NONSTOP ACROSS THE PACIFIC FROM PERU TO AUSTRALIA.

THEY'RE GOING FOR MORE THAN JUST A WORLD RECORD.

THEY'RE RAISING MONEY FOR CLEAN WATER PROJECTS IN EAST AFRICA.

> WOO!

JOHN: IN APRIL, BROTHERS EWAN, JAMIE AND LACHLAN MACLEAN SET OFF FROM LIMA.

THEIR DESTINATION -- THE EAST COAST OF AUSTRALIA, 9,000 MILES ACROSS THE PACIFIC, WITHOUT STOPPING AND WITHOUT ANY SUPPORT.

NO SAILS, NO ENGINE - JUST OARS.

AND THEY'RE NOT USING JUST ANY ROWBOAT.

THEY HELPED DESIGN THE 600-POUND VESSEL, WHICH USES FORMULA ONE RACING TECHNOLOGY.

THEY NAMED IT ROSE EMILY TO HONOR THEIR SISTER WHO WAS LOST DURING PREGNANCY.

WHEN THEY'RE NOT ROWING, THEIR ROUTINES INCLUDE FISHING, COOKING, AND HOLDING VIRTUAL DINNERS WITH CELEBRITIES, LIKE FLEA OF THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS AND ACTORS EWAN MCGREGOR.

EWAN MCGREGOR: I'M SURE WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW IS AS CLOSE TO BEING LIKE THE PINNACLE OF ADVENTURES YOU COULD EVER BE!

JOHN: AND MARK WAHLBERG.

MARK WAHLBERG: I COULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE.

>> THEY ARE CROSSING 9000 MILES.

JOHN: THEY EVEN MADE A VIRTUAL APPEARANCE AT A ROCK CONCERT IN SAN DIEGO.

JOINING THE BAND THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS, FEATURING JAMIE ON BAGPIPES.

LIGHT MOMENTS THAT OFFER A RESPITE FROM THE DANGERS THEY FACE.

>> WE ARE CAUGHT IN A STORM.

JOHN: WHILE THEIR BODIES HAVE TAKEN A BEATING THEIR SPIRITS , HAVE BEEN BUOYED BY THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD TOWARD FOLLOWING THEIR JOURNEY ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND CONTRIBUTING TOWARD THEIR GOAL OF RAISING MORE THAN $1 MILLION TO PROVIDE CLEAN WATER FOR 40,000 PEOPLE IN MADAGASCAR.

I SPOKE WITH THE BROTHERS WHEN THEY WERE ABOUT 500 MILES FROM AUSTRALIA.

LACHLAN KEPT ROWING WHILE JAMIE AND EWAN EXPLAINED HOW THE IDEA TO CROSS THE PACIFIC CAME TO THEM FIVE YEARS AGO WHILE THEY WERE ROWING ACROSS THE ATLANTIC.

>> WHILST WE WERE OUT AT SEA ON THE ATLANTIC, I THINK WE ALREADY KNEW THAT WE WANTED TO DO ANOTHER ROW.

THE THREE OF US, WE GOT A BIT OF A BUG FOR IT.

WE SET OUT A CHARITY TO RAISE MORE FUNDS FOR PEOPLE.

I THINK ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, WE LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND THOUGHT I THINK IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER BIG ONE, HOW DO WE FUND RAISE THE BEST WAY WE KNOW HOW?

WE CAME UP WITH THE BIGGEST OCEAN THAT'S OUT THERE.

AIM FOR THE PACIFIC.

JOHN: THE BIGGEST OCEAN.

WHAT IS AN AVERAGE DAY LIKE FOR YOU GUYS?

>> EVERYONE IS UPSET ABOUT HALF 5:00, 6:00 A.M.

THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEONE ON THE OARS.

GENERALLY WE HAVE A TWO ON AND ONE OFF.

AN HOUR ON AND THEN AN HOUR OFF.

IT'S NOT REALLY A BREAK TO BE HONEST.

YOU ARE CONSTANTLY HAVING TO DO ORK.

FUEL YOURSELF, REHYDRATE, DO BOTH JOBS, CLEAN, DO SOME MEDIA THINGS AND THEN YOU ARE BACK ON THE OARS.

THAT HAS BEEN OUR ROUTINE FOR 132 DAYS.

OHN: THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS TO HIT AUSTRALIA ON DAY 120.

WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW HAVE YOU HAD TO ADJUST?

>> THE LAST 2000 NAUTICAL MILES HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT.

WE HAVE BEEN HIT WITH WEATHER SYSTEM AFTER WEATHER SYSTEM.

THE MAIN RESULT WAS WE GOT PUSHED NORTH AND NORTH AND NORTH.

WE ARE HAVING TO DUCK BEHIND ISLANDS TO HIDE FROM THE STORMS FROM THE WEATHER SYSTEMS THAT WANT TO PUSH US BACKWARDS.

LITTLE BY LITTLE, SLIT -- SYDNEY SLOWLY SLIPPED OUT OF OUR GRASP AND WE HAD TO MAKE THE CALL A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT IT WAS UNTENABLE AND IT WAS NOT PHYSICALLY GOING TO BE POSSIBLE.

SO WE OPTED TO BRISBANE AND THEN WE GOT HIT BY ANOTHER CYCLONE.

SO WE HAVE LANDED ON KAREN'S -- CAIRNS.

WE THINK IT'S DOABLE.

JOHN: YOU REFER TO THE PHYSICAL EXERTION AND STREAM.

HOW DID YOU PREPARE?

>> IT WAS ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF OF PHYSICAL PREPARATION.

THAT PROGRAM WAS PUT TOGETHER BY A LADY WHO USUALLY DESIGNS PROGRAMS FOR ASTRONAUTS SPENDING TIME IN ZERO GRAVITY TO SIX MONTHS.

YOU CAN'T QUITE EXPERIENCE CONDITIONS LIKE THIS, ROLLING SEAS ON THE WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND, BUT TIME ON THE OARS ADDS UP AND THEN IT'S A COUPLE HOURS IN THE GYM EACH DAY.

QUITE A LOT OF MENTAL PREPARATION AS WELL.

IT'S A REAL CHALLENGE IN RESILIENCE.

NOT JUST YOUR PHYSICAL ABILITY TO DO IT, BUT MENTALLY STAYING POSITIVE, KEEPING MOREL UP.

JOHN: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR WORST DAY SO FAR?

>> WE GOT HIT BY THIS ANTICYCLONE AND AN INTENSE WAVE.

WE JUST GOT ABSOLUTELY BATTERED BY THIS WEATHER SYSTEM.

>> I SAW THIS WAVE, LIKE A WALL OF WATER, LIKE 25 FEET VEERING UP OVER THE BOAT.

IT WAS BARRELING, JUST AS IT WAS CRESTING INTO THE BOAT.

WE WERE QUITE NEAR TONGA AT THE TIME AND I THINK IT WAS LIKE BEING SPEARED BY A TONGAN RUGBY PLAYER.

IT TOTALLY OVERWHELMED ME, PUSHING ME TO THE STAR BOARD SIDE OF THE BOAT.

MY UPPER HALF WENT OVER AND MY LEGS JUST FLIPPED.

IT WAS LIKE A BACKWARDS SOMERSAULT.

AND THEN I WAS INTO DARKNESS.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AND I DID NOT KNOW IF THE BOAT CAPSIZED.

FORTUNATELY I WAS TETHERED ONTO THE BOAT.

THAT SAVED MY LIFE.

I WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST 100%.

>> EWAN WAS ON THE OARS, AND HE PULLED HIM BACK UP BUT IT WAS A BIT OF A RUDE AWAKENING OF HOW AT THE MERCY OF THE OCEAN WE ARE AND HOW VISIT -- VISUALLY WE HAVE TO BE ABOUT OUR SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

JOJO: THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD FOLLOWININYOUR PROGRESS.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?

>> WE WEREN'T SURE WHETHER THE STRATEGIES WE WERE GOING TO VENT WERE GOING TO WORK, WHETHER PEOPLE WOULD GET BEHIND IT AND GET BEHIND THE CAUSE THAT WE WHOLEHEARTEDLY BELIEVE IN.

IT HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE TO SEE THAT GENTLY BUILD AND MESSAGES OF SUPPORT.

OF COURSE THAT TRANSLATING INTO DONATIONS TO FUEL THE SUPPORT FROM PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD.

IT REALLY DOES HELP YOU GET THROUGH SOME REALLY TOUGH DAYS OUT ON THE OCEAN.

OHN: WHAT HAVE YOU MISSED ABOUT BEING ON LAND?

>> IT'S REALLY THE HOMELY COMFORTS THAT YOU MISS.

WE LIVE OUR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES OUT HERE THAT ARE UNCOMFORTABLE.

I'M LOOKING FOR -- FORWARD TO MY FIRST PIZZA ON LAND.

IT, BEER, WARM SHOWER.

AND THEN I WILL TALK MYSELF INTO BED.

[LAUGHTER] JOHN: THAT SOUNDS PRETTY GOOD.

DO YOU THINK THERE IS SOMETHING YOU WILL MISS ABOUT BEING OUT ON THE OCEAN?

>> DEFINITELY.

THERE WILL BE A SMALL PART OF YOU THAT YEARNS FOR THIS SORT OF ADVENTURE.

THE ISOLATION CAN BE A POSITIVE THING.

WITH THAT COMES A SORT OF CLARITY YOU DON'T HAVE A LAND.

YOU'RE NOT CONSTANTLY PESTERED BY PEOPLE TEXTING YOU, EMAILING YOU, BOMBARDED BY SOCIAL MEDIA.

IT IS A PEACEFUL EXISTENCE.

WE WILL MISS THE SIMPLE ASPECTS OF LIFE OUT HERE FOR SURE.

JOHN: NOW THAT YOU'VE CROSSED THE ATLANTIC, YOU WILL HAVE CROSSED THE PACIFIC IN A FEW DAYS.

WHAT CHALLENGE IS LEFT?

>> WE ARE REALLY INVOLVED WITH THE AID SIDE.

WE WILL WORK WITH OUR PARTNER CHARITY OUT OF MADAGASCAR.

THAT'S A HUGE PROJECT IN ITSELF, 100 30 DIFFERENT SITES LOOKING AT ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER SO THAT WILL BE AN AMAZING THING TO BE INVOLVED IN AND I THINK THAT WILL BE OUR FOCUS COMING OUT OF THIS.

AFTER THAT, WE HAVE LOVED THIS EXPERIENCE, IT'S BEEN TOUGH TIMES.

I THINK OUR GIRLFRIENDS HAVE BEEN PRETTY UPSET WITH THOSE THAT WE WOULD DECIDE TO SPEND ANOTHER SIX MONTHS AWAY.

I THINK WE WOULD DO SMALLER THINGS BUT THERE'S MORE TO COME.

JOHN:THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND GOOD LUCK IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US ON.

APPRECIATED.

JOHN: FINALLY TONIGHT, THE BENEFITS OF MUSIC EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN ARE WELL DOCUMENTED.

IT CAN BOOST MENTAL HEALTH, ENHANCE CREATIVITY AND EVEN IMPROVE COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING.

A SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM IN SOUTH DAKOTA AND MINNESOTA AIMS TO BRING ALL THAT AND MORE TO A SPECIAL GROUP OF CAMPERS.

AND AS SPECIAL CORRESONDENT MAY-GAN THOMPSON TELLS US, THERE'S A LITTLE ROCK STAR TREATMENT THROWN IN.

MEGAN THOMPSON: THE SOUND OF DRUMS, GUITARS, AND KEYS DRIFT FROM A BUILDING ON THE EAST SIDE OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

BUT PEEK INSIDE AND YOU'LL SEE THIS IS NO ORDINARY GARAGE BAND.

HIS IS ROCK THE REZ, A SUMMER CAMP FOR INDIGENOUS GIRLS AND GENDER DIVERSE KIDS.

>> WE WANT THEM TO FEEL STRONG AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A VOICE.

REPORTER: APRIL MATSON, WHO IS HICHANGU LAKOTA AND ATHABASKAN, HAS BEEN THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HERE SINCE 2019.

APRIL MATSON: INDIGENOUS TWO-SPIRIT, LGBTQ GIRLS, THEY'RE SO OVERLOOKED AND REPRESENTATION IS LOW TO NONE.

AND SO THIS IS OUR WAY OF HELPING THEM TO TAKE UP SPACE AND HOPEFULLY THEY TAKE THAT COURAGE AND THEY PUT IT INTO EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO.

REPORTER: TEN CAMPERS FROM AROUND THE TWIN CITIES ATTENDED THE SESSION WE VISITED IN AUGUST.

MAUREEN O'BRIEN WAS TEACHING KINDERGARTEN ON THE PINE RIDGE RESERVATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA WHEN SHE CAME UP WITH THE IDEA TO START THE CAMP IN 2016.

MAUREEN O'BRIEN: MUSIC REALLY WASN'T LIKE AN EXTRACURRICULAR VERY MUCH, AT LEAST AT THE SCHOOL THAT I WAS AT.

MUSIC WASN'T AS ACCESSIBLE.

REPORTER: O'BRIEN, A SELF-TAUGHT MUSICIAN, ALSO WANTED TO PROMOTE THE IDEA THAT ANYONE CAN PICK UP AN INSTRUMENT AND JAM.

MAUREEN O'BRIEN: SO IT'S KIND OF LIKE BREAKING DOWN THE THIRD WALL OF, YOU CAN'T DO THIS, MAYBE YOU DON'T SEE FOLKS THAT LOOK LIKE YOU, OR YOU'RE NOT TRAINED CLASSICALLY.

I LIKE THAT.

REPORTER: THERE ARE NOW FIVE ROCK THE REZ CAMPS, INCLCLING THREE NEW CAMPS IN MINNESOTA THAT LAUNCHED THIS SUMMER.

THE PROGRAM IS FREE OF CHARGE, THANKS TO GRANTS AND DONATIONS, AND THE BAND COACHES ARE MOSTLY VOLUNTEERS.

APRIL MATSON: MOST OF THE CAMPERS WHO COME IN HAVE NO MUSIC EXPERIENCE OR THEY'VE PLAYED ANOTHER INSTRUMENT BUT THEY'VE NEVER PLAYED THIS INSTRUMENT.

REPORTER: THE CAMPERS WE MET FORMED TWO BANDS AND SPENT A FEW HOURS EACH DAY LEARNING THE INSTRUMENTS AND PARTS THEY CHOSE, WORKING UP TO A PUBLIC CONCERT AT THE END OF THE WEEK.

REINA SPEARS: WELL, IT'S A LITTLE BIT SCARY, BUT IT'S MORE FUN, ACTUALLY.

REPORTER: RAINA SPEARS, WHO WAS OJIBWE AND DAKOTA, WAS THE LEAD SINGER OF THE YOUNGER BAND, WHICH CALLED ITSELF LITTLE ROCKERS WITH SPIRIT.

REINA SPEARS: I JUST GET SOMETIMES TOO EXCITED THAT I TRY TO GO REALLY FAST, BUT I KNOW I HAVE TO FOLLOW THE OTHER INSTRUMENTS AND THEY HAVE TO FOLLOWING ME TOO.

REPORTER: SPEARS WROTE THE LYRICS FOR HER BAND'S SONG.

REINA SPEARS: GOTTA WRITE HOW I GET INTO THE LIGHT.

AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS GOT TO WRITE HOW I GET LIKE COURAGE.

SO YOU CAN LIKE SHOW WHO YOU REALLY ARE.

ALEYHA HANSON: WE'RE KIND OF LIKE FIGHTING FOR OUR VOICES TO BE HEARD AND FOR IT TO CHANGE.

REPORTER: ALIYAH HANSON, WHO WAS READ LATE -- RED LAKE OJIBWE, LED HER BAND CALLED KAMIMILA, WHICH MEANS BUTTERFLY IN DAKOTA.

THEIR SONG WAS FILLED WITH HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL MESSAGES.

ALEYHA HANSON: THIS IS WHERE IT STARTED.

WE ARE TAKEN FROM OUR HOMES.

WHEN WE COME BACK, WE HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.

FRAME US AS ADDICTS, BLAME US, AND LAUGH.

BUT WHEN THE WHITE MAN LEAVES, YOU BETTER HOPE YOU DON'T COME BACK.

THIS IS VERY POWERFUL, AND IT GOES VERY DEEP INTO NATIVE CULTURE.

REPORTER: THE SONGS WERE WRITTEN COLLABORATIVELY BY THE CAMPERS.

THE BAND COACHES ENCOURAGED AND FACILITATED, BUT OTHERWISE GOT OUT OF THE WAY.

ELYSSIA SALAZAR: WE ALL ARE SEEN EQUALLY, AND WE'RE ALL RESPECTED.

I'M AN INTROVERT, SO IT'S HARD SPEAKING UP.

BUT HERE, I THINK I'M PRETTY LOUD HERE.

AND I LIKE THAT, THAT I GET TO ACTUALLY INTERACT WITH PEOPLE AND NOT FEEL AFRAID.

REPORTER: THIS IS THE ONLY URBAN ROCK THE REZ CAMP.

THE OTHERS ARE HELD ON OR NEAR RESERVATIONS.

SO SOME OF THESE CAMPERS COME FROM COMMUNITIES WHERE THERE AREN'T A LOT OF OTHER NATIVE KIDS.

REINA SPEARS: AT SCHOOL, I JUST FEEL KIND OF LEFT OUT ON MY CULTURE.

SO HERE, I FEEL LIKE I BELONG MORE.

ELYSSIA SALAZAR: PEOPLE THINK OF NATIVE, THEY THINK OF LIKE THOSE LIKE OLD PHOTOS THAT ARE LIKE YELLOW AND LIKE WEARING AND CHIEF GUY, BUT WE ARE NOT THAT ANYMORE, WE'RE STILL HERE.

REPORTER: WORKSHOPS HELD EACH DAY LIKE THIS DAKOTA LANGUAGE LESSON GAVE THE KIDS A CHANCE TO DIVE DEEPER INTO INDIGENOUS CULTURES.

AND THERE WERE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES EVERY DAY AFTER LUNCH.

LAKOTA RECORDING ARTIST TIANA SPOTTED THUNDER SANG THE DAY WE WERE THERE.

ELYSSIA SALAZAR: SHOWCASE YOUR SKILLS.

SHOWCASE YOU TALENT.

REPORTER: THEN, AFTER A WEEK OF PEP TALKS AND PRACTICING, THE FINAL DAY ARRIVED.

THE CAMPERS GOT THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER ALL GLAMMED UP AND HEADED TO A PARK DOWN THE STREET TO PERFORM THE FINAL SHOWCASE FOR THEIR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY.

REINA SPEARS: WELCOME TO THE ROCK THE ROAD SHOWCASE.

>> THE NAME OF OUR SONG IS SINGING TO OUR HEART.

MAUREEN O'BRIEN: EMPOWERMENT'S A HUGE PART OF IT.

I HOPE THAT THEY ARE PROUD OF THEMSELVES AND FEEL LIKE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE END OF IT BECAUSE IT'S A PRETTY BIG FEAT TO WRITE A SONG AND PERFORM IT ININ MATTER OF ONE WEEK.

ALEYHA HANSON: BEING LOST IN HISTORY, BEING CHEATED OF OUR TREATY.

MAUREEN O'BRIEN: AND IF ANYTHING, THEY CAN LOOK BACK AND SAY, OH, I PERFORMED IN FRONT OF A BUNCH OF PEOPLE.

BECAUSE IT CAN BE REALLY SCARY, BUT THEY ARE BEING SO BRAVE.

ALEYHA HANSON: THANK YOU FOR COMING.

[APPLAUSE] REPORTER: FOR PBS NEWS WEEKEND, I'M MEGAN THOMPSON IN ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

JOHN: AND THAT IS PBS NEWS WEEKEND FOR THIS SUNDAY.

I'M JOHN YANG.

FOR ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

ANNOUNCER: MAJOR FUNDING FOR THE PBS NEWS WEEKEND HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY -- THE ONGOING SUPPORT OF THESE INDIVIDUALS AND INSTITUTIONS.

THIS PROGRAM WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

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