"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."
11/12/2008 Ehani Was'te (good day) from the Lakota Nation, South Dakota,
I send a strong heart felt hand shake to all of you. Yes, we worked hard here on our lands to get alternate heat (wood, gas heaters, etc), pampers, food, etc. out to the families that are still without heat and cannot get out of their homes. But, you all must know that this would not have been possible without your help. The trucks we used to haul wood are gas guzzlers.
My brother and his wife along with other workers definitely would not have been able to deliver without your support for gas and of course the cost of the supplies that needed to get to the families in need.
My brother told me that when he and his wife went to this Grandma's house they were so grateful for the pick up load of wood that it gave them this feeling of overwhelming gratitude to be able to help. He went on to tell me that the Grandma said that she had no more propane and the wood she had was gone. They unloaded and left the Unc'i's (grandma) home with such thankfulness that they were able to be a part of the giving we at One Spirit did. They went on to tell us that the next day they were going to get another load of wood when this elderly man was walking on the highway. They picked him up and took him to the store to get some food supplies and took him home. When they got to his little one room cabin he asked my brother if he would help him start his wood stove. My brother went inside and said his house was a little on the chilly side and the Grandpa said he was trying to save on his wood. He helped him get his stove going and visited him for awhile then told him that he would bring him wood and check on him. The Grandpa was very happy about this.
This morning I took my three grandchildren and prayed with them for all the families in Wanblee and Kyle that are still struggling with having no heat, electricity and some with little or no food. We also prayed for all those that had to leave their homes and are staying at the shelters. We gave thanks for all that we have the water we drink, the air we breathe, the four legged, the winged and the snow that we have. We gave thanks for the warmth and the food we have and we gave thanks for Tunkashila sending the children to us to care for. We prayed for all those that were struggling with alcoholism and drugs as it is a sickness and to have pity for them. We prayed and gave thanks for our children and elders.
And, now I send to you all prayers and thanks from my heart and hope that the great blanket of snow wrap around you and protect you and it does with me and my family.
Wopila (thank you)
Rosalie Janis, One Spirit
Lakota Nation - Pine Ridge Lakota Reservation
Manderson, South Dakota
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:
Jeri Baker
Executive Director
One Spirit
570-460-6567
Blizzard leaves thousands of Native Americans without heat, food; Reservation residents burning furniture for heat
Rapid City, SD, November 10, 2008 — A surprise blizzard hit South Dakota on Thursday night, causing power outages for much of the state and prompting the Governor to declare a state of emergency. Four days later, the state of emergency has been lifted, but many of the residents of the Pine Ridge Reservation are still without power. Reports from reservation residents indicate that many people are burning furniture to stay warm, and are without water, food, or electricity.
“Much of the reservation is very remote,” says Jeri Baker, Executive Director of ONE Spirit, a nonprofit which provides assistance to the reservation. “We have been making calls all weekend, trying to coordinate food deliveries and distribute wood. But, there are literally thousands of people we cannot reach who are freezing or starving right now.”
The Pine Ridge Reservation is the second largest reservation in the country, spanning 3,500 square miles. With a population of more than 60,000, it remains one of the poorest areas in the Western Hemisphere where 87% of the residents are unemployed and 90% live below the federal poverty level.
ONE Spirit has been trying to gain the attention of other emergency services organizations. The Red Cross brought supplies over the weekend, but due to incomplete or faulty information, did not reach many of the hardest hit areas. Today they are returning with blankets, water, food, kerosene lamps, candles and other items. But, their supplies are limited and they are still unable to meet the current needs.
Efforts to reach those in more remote areas have been hampered by 10-20 foot snow drifts and poor roads. More swift and immediate action by governmental agencies is needed in order to avert further disaster. ONE Spirit is calling on the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management to move into the area quickly and provide whatever services they can, but so far their response has been minimal.
Since 2002, ONE Spirit has provided food, clothing, heat and other essential services to residents of the reservation. Donations made through their web site (www.nativeprogress.org) can immediately be put to use providing food and wood to those affected by the blizzard. Mrs. Baker also suggests contacting your local congressional representative and urging their attention be turned to this growing tragedy. For additional information, contact: Jeri Baker at 570-460-6567.
Donations/contributions may be made by check or money order to ONE/ONE
Spirit and sent to:
ONE Spirit
P.O. Box 2595
Chesterfield, VA 23832.
Sponsorship
The ONE Spirit sponsorship program includes children, elders, and families. As a sponsor, you can give a Lakota child or elder protection from cold and hunger and get to know a Native American family.
You can learn about the Lakota culture and develop a mutual understanding of common needs and values.
60,000 Lakota Indians in South Dakota are at risk of disease due in part to a nutritionally deficient diet lacking in both quantity and quality of food. Families, elders, and children often have one meal a day - sometimes none. Diabetes, cancer, malnutrition, and heart disease are rampant. The average life expectancy is about 50 years. Infant mortality is 5 times higher than the US average.
$25.00 spent with project SHARE can provide a supply of food to supplement the diet of a family of four for a week.
"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
It is extremely difficult to be a strong family when there is no food, no heat
in winter, or the home is without electricity. It is hard for a parent to see
their children inadequately clothed and without the bedding needed to be warm.
Your contribution to the Okini Program will help a Lakota family remain strong for
their children.
