One of the most disturbing aspects of our national [non-]response to the weather emergencies and human suffering on the South Dakota reservations is the lack of media coverage. A few local outlets have reportedly run stories, but there has been virtually no coverage in national outlets. We have to change this.
UPDATE: navajo's new diary here; please rec.
UPDATE 2: Midwesterner in NYC reports the following in comments:
You no longer need a customer name when you call Lakota Plains. While I was talking to Autumn, she got on the phone and worked out an arrangement where we only have to ask for Jerry at Lakota Plains and then tell Jerry you want your donation to go to the next person on Autumn's list.
Jerry will tell you who the customer is.
Lakota Plains phone number is: 605-867-5199
Don't forget to report your donation to KentuckyKat. ;-)
This diary builds on navajo's series of the last few days, and my own diary yesterday on unresponsiveness by certain utilities. It appears that Kossack calls did help change the attitude of one of the utility companies, so chi miigwech to all of you for your help. Today, I want to ask you to contact the media - help us get this story out there!
First, here's a template for a letter to the Editor that you can use. Three different reservations (Pine Ridge, Rosebud, and Cheyenne River) are currently under a state of emergency, and there are different tribal entities helping each. You should include the contact info for these entities in your letter. However, trying to include them all will exceed the papers' maximum word count limits, so I suggest that each person pick one reservation and focus on the entities helping it. Tomorrow, do the same for a second reservation. The next day, do the same for the third. Alternatively, you can submit a letter that covers the Native American aid groups, and the Bush Foundation, that are providing aid. That info will be listed immediately after the LTE template, below.
DRAFT LETTER TO THE EDITOR
To the Editor:
I am disappointed that our media outlets have not covered the disaster currently unfolding on South Dakota tribal lands, including the Pine Ridge, Rosebud, and Cheyenne River Reservations. Winter has hit this area hard, with wave after wave of snow, ice, and subfreezing temperatures. Entire families on these reservations have already been without electricity, heat, and/or water for weeks, in many cases.
The average household income in this region is also far below most of the rest of the nation. Propane, food, and other supplies are running low, and residents (many with small children and elders with health issues) have no means to obtain more. Many residents have emergent medical needs, such as dialysis, and people’s lives are in jeopardy.
I ask your organization to cover this story thoroughly, and I ask my fellow readers to lend a hand. You can donate a shipment of propane to a Lakota household in great need; tribal organizations are also collecting cash donations, food, clothing, and medical supplies. Donations may be made via the following groups:
[Insert contact info here.]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
As written, this draft letter is roughly 175 words, exclusive of aid group contact info. Some outlets, such as The New York Times, will occasionally take over-the-limit letters; they may also edit them to fall within guidelines. Some outlets will run a sidebar with the contact info, and edit the letter to point to the sidebar. If your letter runs a tiny bit long, and you can't get it within the limit, send it anyway: It still has a shot at being printed.
TRIBAL ENTITIES, UTILITIES, AND AID GROUPS BY RESERVATION
PINE RIDGE
Utilities:
Lakota Plains Propane Company
Pine Ridge, S.D 57770
1.605.867.5199
Takes major credit cards and debit
Minimum ordering $120 for one weeks worth of propane
- Call the company tell you want to donate to a Lakota family for heat.
- Tell them that you would like to donate to one of the names on the LIST.
Lacreek Electric Company
800.655.9324 or 605.658.6581.
You need to have a name of a needy family when you call. Please email KentuckyKat (kentuckykatonkos AT gmail DOT com); she has the list of names from Autumn and you can be matched with a family.
Food:
There are three different food stores that will accept credit cards by phone. To help a family in need of food, call Autumn (Two Bulls - tribal liaison) directly at 605.407.8487, and she will match you with a family and let you know which food store to call to put money on account in their name.
Clean winter clothing:
Lakota Oyate Wakanyeja Owicakiyape
East Highway 18
IHS Compound, Box 604
Pine Ridge, SD 57770.
See changingwinds.org for addresses of other agencies participating in the Winter Warmth Drive for the people of Pine Ridge.
ROSEBUD
Utilities:
Rosebud LIHEAP program (by check, payable to Rosebud Sioux Tribe LIHEAP):
LIHEAP
ATTN: Eileen
P.O. Box 430
Rosebud, SD 57570
St. Francis Energy Co. (per KentuckyKat, will accept donations of $5 or more)
605.747.2542
Cherry Todd Electric (serving LIHEAP customers; will take any donation over $10, per KentuckyKat)
605.856.4416
Financial contributions:
Rosebud Sioux Tribe President's Office
P.O. Box 430
Rosebud, SD 57570 (by check)
Winter clothing contributions:
White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc
291 N. Main
P.O. Box 227
Mission, SD 57555
605-856-2317
Paypal link at our outdated website: www.wbcws.org
CHEYENNE RIVER
Financial Contributions:
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe at https://secure.piryx.com/...
CONTRIBUTIONS (Cash for medical supplies):
Wells Fargo
Cheyenne Dialysis Patients (c/o Dew Bad Warrior)
Acct. #: 5815904338
1615 N 7th St.
Rapid City, SD 55701
WIRE DONATIONS TO:
Cheyenne River Sioux 2010 Disaster Account
Direct to: United Bkrs Bloomington ABA # 091 001 322
Beneficiary Bank: Account Number 250 3373
State Bank of Eagle Butte
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
Final Credit: Account Holder @ UBB Customers Bank
Account Holder: CRST 2010 Disaster, Account Number 103173
MAIL CHECK DONATIONS TO:
TO: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe/2010 Disaster Account
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman's Office
Attn: Ice Storm Emergency Fund
PO Box 590
2001 Main Street (Tribal Offices)
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
Tribal Contacts:
CHEYENNNE RIVER SIOUX CONTACTS:
Robin Le Beau, Chairman's Assistant c (610) 568-2101
Joe Brings Plenty, Tribal Chairman c (605) 365-6548
CRST Emergency Coordination Center (605) 964-7711 (7712)
NATIONAL-CIRCULATION NEWSPAPERS
The New York Times
Letters to the Editor (150 words max):
By e-mail: letters@nytimes.com (in body of e-mail; no attachments)
By fax: (212)556-3622
By snail mail:
Letters to the Editor
The New York Times
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
OpEds (750 words max):
By e-mail to: oped@nytimes.com (in body of e-mail; no attachments)
By fax to: (212) 556-4100
Or by mail to:
The Op-Ed Page
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
The Washington Post
Letters to the Editor (<200 words max): <br>By e-mail: letters@washpost.com (in body of e-mail; no attachments)
By snail mail:
Letters to the Editor
The Washington Post
1150 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20071
OpEds: (<800 words max) <br>Use WaPo Web form: http://projects.washingtonpost.com/...
For Sunday "Outlook" section, submit via e-mail: outlook@washpost.com
The Wall Street Journal
Letters to the Editor
By e-mail: wsj.ltrs@wsj.com (no word count listed; suggest <150)</p>
OpEds:
By e-mail: edit.features@wsj.com (no word count listed; suggest <800) </p>
USA Today
Letters to the Editor:
By e-mail: letters@usatoday.com (<250 words max)</p>
OpEds:
By e-mail: theforum@usatoday.com (650-750 words)
The Christian Science Monitor (now Web only)
OpEds:
By e-mail: http://www.csmonitor.com/... Attention: Josh Burek, Opinion Page Editor (<750 words)</p>
No info on LTEs, but shorter version of OpEds are welcomed.
SYNDICATES
Gannett's list of affiliate newspapers includes papers in 31 states (including the Sioux Falls Argus Leader in S.D.)plus Guam; the Army Times Publishing Company (covering four major branches of the armed services, plus other military and defense news outlets); USA Today; Gannett UK; and other media outlets.
Click on the link above for a list; then click on the link for the relevant affiliate. It'll take you to the paper's Web site. From there, navigate to the "Opinion" section and look for "How to submit . . ." information; or click the "Contact Us" link and find "Letters to the Editor."
The McClatchy Company list of newspapers includes affiliates in 15 states. Click on the link to go the list; then scroll down and click on the individual paper's link. From there, navigate to the "Opinion" section and look for "How to submit . . ." information; or click the "Contact Us" link and find "Letters to the Editor."
Wikipedia's list of top U.S. newspapers by circulation
Again, click on the newspaper's link, find its Web site on the Wiki page, click on that link, and navigate to the "Opinion" or "Contact Us" sections.
SOUTH DAKOTA MEDIA
Note that what coverage does exist has appeared largely in local outlets and/or Native media. However, it can't hurt to keep the drumbeat going in local media, while we try to get story out on the national stage. The monodotimes Web site lists local media by state, then by city: Here's the link for South Dakota. Scroll down to choose the city you want, then click on that page's links for the actual outlet sites. Toward the bottom of the page, there are also links to sort state media by popularity, circulation, etc.
Finally, chi miigwech to all of you for all you've done and continue to do. Please rec these diaries, keep 'em in people's minds and hearts . . . AND LET'S DO THIS!!!
Love to you all.