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, especially the workers and their families and myself 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 another worker and her daughters & son-in-law definately 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. He 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. My brother 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 SpiritLakota Nation - Pine Ridge Lakota Reservation
Manderson, South Dakota
Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
"To The Greatest People I Have Ever Had the Privilege Working With."
From Jeri Baker:
The last few days since the blizzard blew through the plains - and through Pine Ridge Reservation at upwards of 100 miles per hour - have tested the strength of One Spirit and shown the true meaning of this name for our organization. We have delivered food, wood, lamps, blankets, batteries, water, diapers, gas for the vehicles and any other needed supplies. Together we spread the word about the need even before the media was aware of the urgent situations on the reservation. We worked with the Lakota people, supplying them with the materials and resources they needed to reach and care for their people. This was a true international effort that was highly successful. We will soon have numbers to report to you.
It is not quite over yet. There are still a few families that remain stranded. As of last night, they hoped to reach those people. It is still a few days before the electric companies hope to have all service restored. Most important, we begin now to work with the Lakota people to plan for ways that their people can be cared for during the coming winter. Hopefully there will not be another weather situation like this one. But the Lakota people face harsh winters every year. The wood program and the heater program have proven their worth. Project SHARE is a vital resource. The Okini and Youth programs are growing. And we are proud to support the initiatives of the Lakota people to find new and creative ways to expand their economy and care for their people.
You are justified in feeling proud of all that you have done. My thanks and gratitude to each of you.
Love and peace,
Jeri
The last few days since the blizzard blew through the plains - and through Pine Ridge Reservation at upwards of 100 miles per hour - have tested the strength of One Spirit and shown the true meaning of this name for our organization. We have delivered food, wood, lamps, blankets, batteries, water, diapers, gas for the vehicles and any other needed supplies. Together we spread the word about the need even before the media was aware of the urgent situations on the reservation. We worked with the Lakota people, supplying them with the materials and resources they needed to reach and care for their people. This was a true international effort that was highly successful. We will soon have numbers to report to you.
It is not quite over yet. There are still a few families that remain stranded. As of last night, they hoped to reach those people. It is still a few days before the electric companies hope to have all service restored. Most important, we begin now to work with the Lakota people to plan for ways that their people can be cared for during the coming winter. Hopefully there will not be another weather situation like this one. But the Lakota people face harsh winters every year. The wood program and the heater program have proven their worth. Project SHARE is a vital resource. The Okini and Youth programs are growing. And we are proud to support the initiatives of the Lakota people to find new and creative ways to expand their economy and care for their people.
You are justified in feeling proud of all that you have done. My thanks and gratitude to each of you.
Love and peace,
Jeri
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Can You Spare a Square?
Lorna, a fellow volunteer, writes:
When I first learned about the living conditions on Pine Ridge, I thought, "What can I do?". Well being a crocheter and on several Charity Crafting yahoo groups, I know how generous crafters can be. So, I spread the word and boy did they come through! They sent hats, booties, baby sweater and blankets, lapghans and 400 + squares.
But, we need more squares. Bright colors, dark colors, baby colors, any colors. We need sizes 6", 7" or 12" WW acrylic or wool (just label them "wool"). Think warm when choosing a pattern. Patterns with no holes are best.
Have the yarn, but no time or projects started and will never get back to or squares that are too small? We will take them and put them to use. I have joiners waiting for squares.
Please contact me at lfletcher@nativeprogress.org for more information or the address to send the yarn and/or squares.
When I first learned about the living conditions on Pine Ridge, I thought, "What can I do?". Well being a crocheter and on several Charity Crafting yahoo groups, I know how generous crafters can be. So, I spread the word and boy did they come through! They sent hats, booties, baby sweater and blankets, lapghans and 400 + squares.
But, we need more squares. Bright colors, dark colors, baby colors, any colors. We need sizes 6", 7" or 12" WW acrylic or wool (just label them "wool"). Think warm when choosing a pattern. Patterns with no holes are best.
Have the yarn, but no time or projects started and will never get back to or squares that are too small? We will take them and put them to use. I have joiners waiting for squares.
Please contact me at lfletcher@nativeprogress.org for more information or the address to send the yarn and/or squares.
Lakota Made Jewelry For Sale on eBay
Check out these beautiful items that are currently for sale on eBay.
Proceeds from the sales go directly to the artist and to help with the heating assistance program through ONE Spirit.
To find these items on eBay, you can search for ONE Spirit through the Giving Works tab which is under catagories, on the bottom left of the eBay home page.
Hello from Christy!
Hello! It's nice to "meet" you. :) We are all very excited about getting this blog up and going. We have so much information we'd like to share with all of you. This is kind of our way of putting a face to the reservation and the sponsors - Cyber Style, a way to get to know each other a little. From here on going forward you will see things like fundraising ideas, Native made goods for sale and where, positive little tid bits about how the sponsor help is really helping and friendships made, happenings on the rez, happenings elsewhere related to ONE Spirit & other various things about sponsoring and ONE Spirit programs. I'd really like to get some Lakota cultural information on here as well. Something to work on. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this blog and find it's useful and makes you feel good.
Until next time.....
Christy
Until next time.....
Christy
New One Spirit Blog...........
Hi Everyone!
I'm Ed, sometimes known as Broken Feather. I'm what you'd call a serious volunteer, helping to raise funds for One Spirit! Primarily, I'm a vendor at Native American Pow-wow's held in the Northeast. 100% of the revenue raised by me, goes to One Spirit, for the program, that's on the front burner, at the time. I also provide a few of the artist's on Pine Ridge a fair market venue for the sale of their goods, which really excites me. I make no secret about the appreciation I have for Jeri Baker (Our Director), and her willingness to work with me, via e-mails and the phone. I've been chosen to be an author to this blog, because of my on going interest, in getting more people involved with One Spirit, and our efforts to help the Lakota people, become sulf-sufficient. Please, tell your friends and relatives about our blog and have them join, in discussion, with us, about articles that will be forth coming. We're wide open for comments and ideas about helping the Lakota become self-sufficient. The only way to make a difference is to get involved. Please help us spread the word!
I'm Ed, sometimes known as Broken Feather. I'm what you'd call a serious volunteer, helping to raise funds for One Spirit! Primarily, I'm a vendor at Native American Pow-wow's held in the Northeast. 100% of the revenue raised by me, goes to One Spirit, for the program, that's on the front burner, at the time. I also provide a few of the artist's on Pine Ridge a fair market venue for the sale of their goods, which really excites me. I make no secret about the appreciation I have for Jeri Baker (Our Director), and her willingness to work with me, via e-mails and the phone. I've been chosen to be an author to this blog, because of my on going interest, in getting more people involved with One Spirit, and our efforts to help the Lakota people, become sulf-sufficient. Please, tell your friends and relatives about our blog and have them join, in discussion, with us, about articles that will be forth coming. We're wide open for comments and ideas about helping the Lakota become self-sufficient. The only way to make a difference is to get involved. Please help us spread the word!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Welcome to the One Spirit Blog!
We are so excited to launch the One Spirit blog!
We hope that this blog will allow you to connect with us on a more regular basis. We will be bringing you a regular schedule of updates about the charity, goings on at the reservation, and ways that you can help. Check back frequently for updates, or better yet, subscribe to our feed through RSS (see our side bar for the orange RSS link).
Love and Peace
Jeri Baker
Director
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