"The survival of the world depends upon our
sharing what we have and working together.
If we don't, the whole world will die.
First the planet, and next the people."
“His Lakota name is Wanbli Oyakpa, golden eagle. I pray he will fly high.”
“These young students of life are very talented. Drawing, painting, quilling, beading, and sculpturing come naturally… in this poor socio-economical community the chances of the young reaching their dreams is little or none. By twenty years old they have already given up their hopes and dreams, many times the young look and feel many years past their age.”
Support programs that provide the youth with a better today and tomorrow.
Donations/contributions may be made by check or money order to One
Spirit and sent to:
One Spirit
P.O. Box 416
Holyoke, CO 80734-0416.
Sponsorship
ONE Spirit is proud to be able to offer a way for you to directly help a Lakota child, family, or elder in need. As a sponsor, you can offer protection from cold and hunger. You can offer hope in the form of friendly, caring words. You can offer a child a toy, a coat, or a book. You can offer an elder warm clothing, craft materials, or much needed shoes. You can offer help to struggling young men and women in college.
You can learn about the Lakota culture and develop a mutual understanding of common needs and values.
Each month, Sponsors purchase food through Food Share America. One Spirit arranges for the food to be trucked to the reservation where Lakota people unload the truck, sort the food into orders, and deliver it to homes around the reservation. The workers are paid with food. Gas for the deliveries is provided.
Currently, more than 1000 people are fed each month. Still, every day we get urgent requests for food for elders, families and children.
Okini is a Lakota word meaning “to share material things”. Imagine not having coats or shoes to fit your growing children or blankets to keep your elders warm in the bitter South Dakota winter. For many families on Pine Ridge this is a reality they must face. The Okini program is a way to share and meet urgent needs of elders and families.
"In these communities are many young people with visions, dreams, and hope for a better future. They like horseback riding, playing basketball, playing softball, and many things that young people like to do. In this community the love for the horse is rampant. This community is truly a medicine horse community with many of the young people practicing their culture. In this poor socio-economical community the chances of the young reaching their dreams is little or none. By twenty years old they have already given up their hopes and dreams, many times the young look and feel many years past their age. The waste of talent is extremely hard to watch, especially if you love your people the way I do.
These young students of life are very talented. Drawing, painting, quilling, beading, and sculpturing come naturally to these young students of the Pass Creek. I had an art contest at American Horse School and the talent we adults experienced was extraordinary. The natural talent is there with the help of mentors or people who care these youth may possibly seek a career or a life in the world of art. The true meaning of art is create beauty from nothing and this is truly that endeavor."
John D. DuBray
Pine Ridge Sioux/Lakota Reservation
Allen, South Dakota 57714
"Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children." Sitting Bull
An elder gentleman, one of the most impressive people I have ever met, chops wood to heat his small bungalow. He has no hands. They were amputated because of frost bite.
