This was copied from a AP article about a ongoing snow storm in Wisconsin.
"In western South Dakota, utility crews were still working to restore electrical service knocked out by a blizzard last week. An estimated 1,800 customers of six electric cooperatives have been without power since that storm. "
"The South Dakota National Guard has sent an 11-man team to help open roads for the electrical work crews. Deep snow driven into 7-foot drifts has slowed the repairs, and Ken Wetz, manager of Butte Electric Cooperative, said about 3 inches of ice still covers some downed wires."
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
URGENT! Blankets needed BAD!
Word has come in that blankets are in high need on the rez. There are still a lot of people without electricity, so heaters are not working, and not everyone has a wood stove or fireplace. Please send blankets (good, clean, warm blankets) to the addresses below:
Rosalie Janis
3M N. Manderson or
PO Box 85
Manderson, SD 57756
and/or
John DuBray
28080 Allen Road
Allen, SD 57714
Thank you, as always, for your support in this difficult time.
Rosalie Janis
3M N. Manderson or
PO Box 85
Manderson, SD 57756
and/or
John DuBray
28080 Allen Road
Allen, SD 57714
Thank you, as always, for your support in this difficult time.
The First Blizzard of Winter 2008
You all are aware of the blizzard that just hit the reservation. It's that time of year. Mother Nature really likes to show who's in charge! I don't know about other areas of the country, but the Great Plains are known for the winds that cause the ground blizzards and power lines down, and worse. We sure do get buried out here sometimes.
The governor did declare a state of emergency which then helped with airlifting people with medical problems out of the rez. The Red Cross got in there and provided a few blankets and some other supplies as the plows gained access.
The Associated Press reported 20 foot drifts on the Pine Ridge Reservation and winds upwards of 50-60 mph.
But, you folks with One Spirit really stepped up. As you read in the note from Sue, the donations you all sent in were valuable! One Spirit is able to help get folks out on the road to deliver wood and food to those who can't get out. Other emergency type supplies like batteries, water, blankets and animal food are being distributed.
The governor did declare a state of emergency which then helped with airlifting people with medical problems out of the rez. The Red Cross got in there and provided a few blankets and some other supplies as the plows gained access.
The Associated Press reported 20 foot drifts on the Pine Ridge Reservation and winds upwards of 50-60 mph.
But, you folks with One Spirit really stepped up. As you read in the note from Sue, the donations you all sent in were valuable! One Spirit is able to help get folks out on the road to deliver wood and food to those who can't get out. Other emergency type supplies like batteries, water, blankets and animal food are being distributed.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
A Message from Sue Allgood (Donor Services)
In the past 48 hours since the urgent appeal for your help went out, you have responded with your open hearts and pocketbooks to the tune of over $3000. Your caring and generous hearts are sincerely appreciated. You are the kind of people who make this world a better place. On behalf of the entire staff of ONE Spirit and the Lakota brothers and sisters on the Pine Ridge Reservation, we humbly thank you!!
In the past 48 hours since the urgent appeal for your help went out, you have responded with your open hearts and pocketbooks to the tune of over $3000. Your caring and generous hearts are sincerely appreciated. You are the kind of people who make this world a better place. On behalf of the entire staff of ONE Spirit and the Lakota brothers and sisters on the Pine Ridge Reservation, we humbly thank you!!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Hello From Norway
From a fellow volunteer, Kari, from Norway:
We are saying that everything comes from the USA. Yes, I received a mail from Jeri that there is to be a fair here in Norway where John Dubray also is going to be. The Norwegian "Help The Indians" which is managed by Olav Redheart Husby, sponsors John's trip across the ocean. It's a very big alternative fair that has taken place in Oslo, our capitol, for 10 years. There will be about 450 stands from a lot of countries. Denmark, Sverige, USA, England, Tykland, Spania and Australia are among the countries that are represented and, they are expecting at least 25,000 visitors from all over Europe. You can find almost anything there. Different healing methods, meditations, yoga, spirituality, you name it. There are also stands about how to deal with the pollution of our planet. And, a whole lot of different things that I don't even want to try to translate into English.
And, of course Olav Redheart and his organization will be there along with John DuBray. Hopefully this will lead to more people learning about Pine Ridge Reservation and wanting to get involved in helping. As Jeri advised me to, I wrote Olav about a week ago, just to introduce myself since we are both working with One Spirit. He called me yesterday and, guess what! He wanted me with them at the fair. He even offered to pick me up at the railway station and bring me there. You know.... farmers in town....!! I would probably never get in the city again if I should manage on my own. So, Saturday 22nd November I will load up my pickup with a sleeping bag and some coffee and I will drive the 4.5 hours to Oslo, join John DuBray and Olav Redheart Husby. What an experience for a little woman of the rural woods in a valley in Norway.
We are saying that everything comes from the USA. Yes, I received a mail from Jeri that there is to be a fair here in Norway where John Dubray also is going to be. The Norwegian "Help The Indians" which is managed by Olav Redheart Husby, sponsors John's trip across the ocean. It's a very big alternative fair that has taken place in Oslo, our capitol, for 10 years. There will be about 450 stands from a lot of countries. Denmark, Sverige, USA, England, Tykland, Spania and Australia are among the countries that are represented and, they are expecting at least 25,000 visitors from all over Europe. You can find almost anything there. Different healing methods, meditations, yoga, spirituality, you name it. There are also stands about how to deal with the pollution of our planet. And, a whole lot of different things that I don't even want to try to translate into English.
And, of course Olav Redheart and his organization will be there along with John DuBray. Hopefully this will lead to more people learning about Pine Ridge Reservation and wanting to get involved in helping. As Jeri advised me to, I wrote Olav about a week ago, just to introduce myself since we are both working with One Spirit. He called me yesterday and, guess what! He wanted me with them at the fair. He even offered to pick me up at the railway station and bring me there. You know.... farmers in town....!! I would probably never get in the city again if I should manage on my own. So, Saturday 22nd November I will load up my pickup with a sleeping bag and some coffee and I will drive the 4.5 hours to Oslo, join John DuBray and Olav Redheart Husby. What an experience for a little woman of the rural woods in a valley in Norway.
ONE Spirit Medallion
Thanks, Ed, for the picture and info on the medallion that was made for you. How beautiful!! It's as it should be that they cost, because the work that must go into these beauties.... unimaginable for someone like me.
Jeri sent me this picture of one that was done for One Spirit. The "Together We Can" is what stood out to me. Because, together we can. It's true.
Hi Everyone,
We all know by now that PRR was blasted with a horrific blizzard over the past two days. This is a up date from a friend of mine, and the Francine Janis Family at PRR.
Hi Ed -
I just got home from my gig this morning and called Francine to see how they are weathering this storm. Their street doesn't have power back yet, but nearby ones do and Francine said that Tiffany heard on the radio that they might have it back by noon today.
They ran out of wood last night, so she broke up an old dresser and they burned that! She said the drifts were so high Chester couldn't make it out to get more wood. It's mostly stopped snowing, but still windy, and the wind made all the drifts icy, so it's a nightmare to get around at all.
I had been worried that the kids maybe got stranded on the bus home from school when the storm hit, but she said they made it back ok that day and the electricity didn't go out until about 6pm.
Do you know how Willene Kills Enemy's family is doing? I've got them all in my prayers - it sure feels weird to be sitting in my nice warm house typing on my computer knowing how cold everyone out there is . . .
Tok 'sa kola
Jean
We all know by now that PRR was blasted with a horrific blizzard over the past two days. This is a up date from a friend of mine, and the Francine Janis Family at PRR.
Hi Ed -
I just got home from my gig this morning and called Francine to see how they are weathering this storm. Their street doesn't have power back yet, but nearby ones do and Francine said that Tiffany heard on the radio that they might have it back by noon today.
They ran out of wood last night, so she broke up an old dresser and they burned that! She said the drifts were so high Chester couldn't make it out to get more wood. It's mostly stopped snowing, but still windy, and the wind made all the drifts icy, so it's a nightmare to get around at all.
I had been worried that the kids maybe got stranded on the bus home from school when the storm hit, but she said they made it back ok that day and the electricity didn't go out until about 6pm.
Do you know how Willene Kills Enemy's family is doing? I've got them all in my prayers - it sure feels weird to be sitting in my nice warm house typing on my computer knowing how cold everyone out there is . . .
Tok 'sa kola
Jean
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Check out the beautiful beadwork medallion made by Chester Sitting Bear from Pine Ridge Reservation. It's a striking example of Chester's ability to create a masterpiece. The center of the feather is actually a broken porcupine quill ! One amazing fact about Chester, is that he's Color Blind! His wife Francine picks out the color of beads for him.
Anyone interested in having their own medallion made, can contact me, and I'll supply you with Chester's e-mail address. Be forewarned that the Medallions are not cheap! It takes Chester days and days to make a medallion and it's a source of income for his family.
The 2009 Pow-Wow season in New England will begin in May, and I can't wait to display this Medallion with the rest of my Regalia.
Tok 'sa Aka, Lakota for, "Until Later".
Broken Feather
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
My Trip To Martin, SD
Hello Everyone. I thought I'd share my story about my family's trip to the reservation:
On Labor Day weekend my husband, our 2 children and I went to Martin to visit the family we sponsor. They have a daughter the same age as ours. We live in the Northeast corner of Colorado, so it was only a 4 hour car trip. Not bad. On the way there we drove through beautiful sand hills, rolling prairie hills with desert like plants, sage growing EVERYWHERE and all the little creatures to go with it. Hawks are everywhere also. It's so cool to look up in the sky and see this magnificent bird almost like he's looking over you. Looking out over the landscape, I could almost imagine what it was like before the roads and power lines and automobiles. We arrived in Martin and checked into our hotel room.
The next morning, I called the family to find out when we could go meet them. We got it set up and again, loaded my family into the car and off we went.
When we arrived at their house, the welcome we received was unimaginable. The mom (for the sake of anonymity, we're going to call her "Ina") came out as we were getting out of the car and hugged me while she introduced herself. Her daughter and my daughter were instant friends and her little boy hid. We went in and sat down and just started talking. Talking about the weather and our drive up there. About our kids and we laughed as my 1 year old waddled all over her floor. We then made plans to take the kids somewhere for lunch and ended up at the bowling alley.
As the kids played video games, Ina asked me if I wanted to go to a powwow. Since I'd never been lucky enough to go to a powwow before I said, "YES!". My daughter was just as excited. We headed toward Porcupine.
On the way there, Ina told me we were going through Wounded Knee and did we want to stop and visit the Memorial. Of course we did. We arrived at the memorial and started walking around. It was surreal. To think that this amazing tragedy had happened right on the land that I was standing on was hard to absorb. She started telling me about the stories she had heard growing up about the Wounded Knee Massacre, stories that had come down through her family's generations. Her family, the descendants of those this happened to.
After we left the memorial, we stopped at the KILI radio station, but it wasn't opened. BUMMER!
Then we headed on to Porcupine for the powwow. There was such a feeling of community. The dancers were beautiful! That is all I can say because words don't do it justice. The traditional dancers were what I enjoyed watching the most. With these dances being handed down through the generations and still practiced today is what impressed me the most. We got to see the men and the elders do their traditional dances. What a beautiful culture! My daughter liked the Fancy Dancers. The drumming and singing were unlike anything else. I wanted to stay all day and night. But, it was time to go.
We drove back to her house, the kids stayed outside until dark playing and Ina showed me her bead work. We talked about that and our kids for a long time. I finally couldn't keep my eyes open anymore and my daughter was starting to get cranky. So, we said our goodbyes, looking forward to the next time we could visit and we left.
I had the most blessed day! I was filled with a feeling of joy and sadness that we had to leave. Ina and her children are the most genuine people I've been lucky enough to spend time with in a long time.
On Labor Day weekend my husband, our 2 children and I went to Martin to visit the family we sponsor. They have a daughter the same age as ours. We live in the Northeast corner of Colorado, so it was only a 4 hour car trip. Not bad. On the way there we drove through beautiful sand hills, rolling prairie hills with desert like plants, sage growing EVERYWHERE and all the little creatures to go with it. Hawks are everywhere also. It's so cool to look up in the sky and see this magnificent bird almost like he's looking over you. Looking out over the landscape, I could almost imagine what it was like before the roads and power lines and automobiles. We arrived in Martin and checked into our hotel room.
The next morning, I called the family to find out when we could go meet them. We got it set up and again, loaded my family into the car and off we went.
When we arrived at their house, the welcome we received was unimaginable. The mom (for the sake of anonymity, we're going to call her "Ina") came out as we were getting out of the car and hugged me while she introduced herself. Her daughter and my daughter were instant friends and her little boy hid. We went in and sat down and just started talking. Talking about the weather and our drive up there. About our kids and we laughed as my 1 year old waddled all over her floor. We then made plans to take the kids somewhere for lunch and ended up at the bowling alley.
As the kids played video games, Ina asked me if I wanted to go to a powwow. Since I'd never been lucky enough to go to a powwow before I said, "YES!". My daughter was just as excited. We headed toward Porcupine.
On the way there, Ina told me we were going through Wounded Knee and did we want to stop and visit the Memorial. Of course we did. We arrived at the memorial and started walking around. It was surreal. To think that this amazing tragedy had happened right on the land that I was standing on was hard to absorb. She started telling me about the stories she had heard growing up about the Wounded Knee Massacre, stories that had come down through her family's generations. Her family, the descendants of those this happened to.
After we left the memorial, we stopped at the KILI radio station, but it wasn't opened. BUMMER!
Then we headed on to Porcupine for the powwow. There was such a feeling of community. The dancers were beautiful! That is all I can say because words don't do it justice. The traditional dancers were what I enjoyed watching the most. With these dances being handed down through the generations and still practiced today is what impressed me the most. We got to see the men and the elders do their traditional dances. What a beautiful culture! My daughter liked the Fancy Dancers. The drumming and singing were unlike anything else. I wanted to stay all day and night. But, it was time to go.
We drove back to her house, the kids stayed outside until dark playing and Ina showed me her bead work. We talked about that and our kids for a long time. I finally couldn't keep my eyes open anymore and my daughter was starting to get cranky. So, we said our goodbyes, looking forward to the next time we could visit and we left.
I had the most blessed day! I was filled with a feeling of joy and sadness that we had to leave. Ina and her children are the most genuine people I've been lucky enough to spend time with in a long time.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Happy Heater Delivery People
This is a story that came from the reservation last week:
Saturday while we were doing the food delivery, some heaters were brought to me. My brother, who has a huge long box truck, came and helped me deliver heaters around the Manderson area and loaded the rest and took them out to my place.
On Sunday, I met my brother and his wife and we loaded the rest of the heaters and left at 9:00 am to deliver them. We went from Manderson to Sharps and gassed up. From there we delivered three heaters around the Sharps area.
After Sharps we left for Red Shirt. We delivered there and moved onto Oglala, Mission Flats, Pine Ridge and most of Wounded Knee.
We completed Red Shirt, Oglala and Pine Ridge. We have about 4 more to deliver in Wounded Knee and 3 in Manderson. We still have all of Porcupine with the exception of the ones we did at Sharps. One of the ladies called me from Sharps and said her heater was cracked. I told her I would come and take it and give her a different one. We are going to finish the delivery this afternoon.
We hit the road at 9:oo am yesterday and I got home about 8:30 pm. It was a very long, cold and very windy day, but we felt so good when we took the heaters to some of the homes. They had blankets hanging to keep one room warm (living room) and everyone was sleeping in that one room because they had no propane. The ones that did have propane said, "Good. Now we can save what little propane we have.". It just melted my heart to know that the heaters we delivered came at a time that was very much needed.
We traveled in a complete circle, about 142 miles. My brother and sister in law are very fun to travel with and they sure worked hard. I gave them a heater and some food that was extra from SHARE for helping us.
This afternoon should be a shorter delivery day as we just need to go to Porcupine and Wounded Knee and we will have accomplished our mission of heaters, Yoooo!
Saturday while we were doing the food delivery, some heaters were brought to me. My brother, who has a huge long box truck, came and helped me deliver heaters around the Manderson area and loaded the rest and took them out to my place.
On Sunday, I met my brother and his wife and we loaded the rest of the heaters and left at 9:00 am to deliver them. We went from Manderson to Sharps and gassed up. From there we delivered three heaters around the Sharps area.
After Sharps we left for Red Shirt. We delivered there and moved onto Oglala, Mission Flats, Pine Ridge and most of Wounded Knee.
We completed Red Shirt, Oglala and Pine Ridge. We have about 4 more to deliver in Wounded Knee and 3 in Manderson. We still have all of Porcupine with the exception of the ones we did at Sharps. One of the ladies called me from Sharps and said her heater was cracked. I told her I would come and take it and give her a different one. We are going to finish the delivery this afternoon.
We hit the road at 9:oo am yesterday and I got home about 8:30 pm. It was a very long, cold and very windy day, but we felt so good when we took the heaters to some of the homes. They had blankets hanging to keep one room warm (living room) and everyone was sleeping in that one room because they had no propane. The ones that did have propane said, "Good. Now we can save what little propane we have.". It just melted my heart to know that the heaters we delivered came at a time that was very much needed.
We traveled in a complete circle, about 142 miles. My brother and sister in law are very fun to travel with and they sure worked hard. I gave them a heater and some food that was extra from SHARE for helping us.
This afternoon should be a shorter delivery day as we just need to go to Porcupine and Wounded Knee and we will have accomplished our mission of heaters, Yoooo!
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