This diary builds on those by Chris Rodda, navajo, Kentucky Kat, Bugsby, TiaRachel, and myself, trying to call attention to the state of emergency on several South Dakota reservations.
NOTE: If you have not already done so, please go rec (and tip) KentuckyKat's action diary for today. Please help keep these on the rec list and help save lives.
This diary will focus on contact information for state and local officials. For a list of federal agency contacts, go here; for a list of national media contacts and a template for a letter to the editor, go here.
So far, Kossacks have been their usual generous selves, opening hearts and wallets to help the folks at Pine Ridge, Rosebud, and Cheyenne River. To each and every one of you, chi miigwech (great thanks) from the bottom of my heart.
But in the midst of this generosity, we should not lose sight of one fundamental point: The government at all levels - local, state, and federal - has failed the people on these reservations. This should have been declared a federal disaster weeks ago, and the governor should have declared a state of emergency at that time. Neither has been done - and they must be held to account. More than that, they must be forced to do their jobs, and provide proper assistance - NOW, not weeks or months from now, when they're done "assessing," while elders and those with health issues die.
Herewith, then, a list of local and state entities and officials that share responsibility for the welfare of our brothers and sisters. Please take a few minutes out of your weekend to send an e-mail or snail mail, and please call when these offices open again on Monday morning.
STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS
SOUTH DAKOTA EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Mike Rounds (R)
Office of the Governor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
605.773.3212
Web contact form
Dennis Daugaard (R)
Lt. Governor
Note: Daugaard's Web site applet doesn't function properly, so I can't access his contact information.
SOUTH DAKOTA LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
State Senate
Julie Bartling (D), District 26 (includes Mellette, Todd, & Tripp Counties)
P.O. Box 256
Burke, S.D. 57523-0256
605.775.2937
Jim Bradford (R), District 27 (includes Pine Ridge Reservation; Jackson & Shannon Counties)
P.O. Box 690
Pine Ridge, S.D. 57770-0690
605.867.5369
Ryan Maher (D), District 28 (includes Cheyenne River Reservation; Dewey & Ziebach Counties)
P.O. Box 237
Isabel, S.D. 57633-0237
605.466.2389
State House of Representatives
Larry Lucas (D), District 26A (Rosebud Reservation; Mellette & Todd Counties)
P.O. Box 182
Mission, S.D. 57555-0182
605.856.2439
Kim Vanneman (R), District 26B (Rosebud Reservation; Tripp County)
31148 269th St.
Ideal, S.D. 57541
605.842.2751
Ed Iron Cloud, III (D), District 27 (Pine Ridge Reservation; Jackson & Shannon Counties)
P.O. Box 172
Porcupine, S.D. 57772
(No phone listed)
Kevin Killer (D), District 27 (Pine Ridge Reservation; Jackson & Shannon Counties)
P.O. Box 322
Pine Ridge, S.D. 57770-0322
605.454.8105
Dean Schrempp (D), District 28A (Cheyenne River Reservation; Dewey & Ziebach Counties)
P.O. Box 62
Lantry, S.D. 57636
605.964.6541
STATE AGENCIES AND OFFICIALS
South Dakota Department of Health
Doreen Hollingsworth, Secretary
600 East Capitol Ave.
Pierre, S.D. 57501-2536
605.773.3361
800.738.2301 (in-state only)
E-mail: DOH.info@state.sd.us
South Dakota Department of Human Services
Jerry C. Hofer, Secretary
3800 East Hwy. 34
Hillsview Properties Plaza
C/O 500 East Capitol Ave.
Pierre, S.D. 57501
605.773.5990
800.265.9684
TTY: 605.773.6412
Fax: 605.773.5483
Web contact form
SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS (Included because many tribal members are active duty military or vets)
Maj. Gen. Steven Doohen, Secretary
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building
425 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, S.D. 57501
605.773.3269
877.579.0015 (in-state only)
Fax: 605.773.5380
E-mail: Eileen.Aberle@state.sd.us
South Dakota Department of Public Safety (This is the state emergency management agency)
Tom Dravland, Secretary
118 West Capitol Avenue
Pierre, S.D. 57501
605.773.3178
E-mail: DPSinfo@state.sd.us
South Dakota Department of Social Services
Deb Bowman, Secretary
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, S.D. 57501
605.773.3165
Web contact form
LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS
Dewey County (Cheyenne River)
Robert Berndt, County Commission Chair
P.O. Box 277
County Courthouse
Timber Lake, S.D. 57656-0277
No e-mail address listed
Ziebach County (Cheyenne River)
Clinton Farlee, County Commission Chair
P.O. Box 68
County Courthouse
Dupree, S.D. 57623-0068
Phone: 605.365.5157
Fax: 605.365.5204
E-mail: cjfarlee@lakotanetwork.com
Jackson County (Pine Ridge)
Jim Stilwell, County Commission Chair
P.O. Box 280
County Courthouse
Kadoka, S.D. 57543-0280
605.837.2422
No e-mail address listed
Shannon County (Pine Ridge)
Connie WhirlWind Horse, County Commission Chair
906 N. River St.
County Courthouse
Hot Springs, S.D. 57747-1309
605.745.3996
Fax: 605.745.6835
No e-mail address listed
Mellette County (Rosebud)
Casey Krogman, County Commission Chair
P.O. Box C
County Courthouse
White River, S.D. 57579-0703
605.259.3291
No e-mail address listed
Todd County (Rosebud)
Gregg Grimshaw, County Commission Chair
200 E. 3rd. St.
County Courthouse
Winner, S.D. 57580-1806
605.842.1700
No e-mail address listed
Tripp County (Rosebud)
Greg English, Commissioner
200 E. 3rd. St.
County Courthouse
Winner, S.D. 57580-1806
605.842.3727
E-mail: genglish@gwtc.net (Note: Source does not specify who chairs county commission; Greg English is the only commissioner with a listed e-mail address.)
In many instances, South Dakota state and local officials have no e-mail addressed listed. For those officials, I suggest calling first thing Monday morning, and following up with snail mail; while on the phone, ask for their e-mail addresses to follow up by e-mail, too.
Please remember that people's lives are in real jeopardy here. And these folks were elected and/or appointed to represent those now at risk of dying. It is their job to fix this. Please, take a few moments over the next few days to hlep us make them do it.