Background:Centuries of abuse and neglect of the original inhabitants of what is now the United States has not ended. Our reservations are still like third world countries. When massive ice storms and high winds hit the reservations in the Dakotas mid January poor housing, weak heating systems, sparse cupboards, lack of warm clothing and health problems make it difficult to survive. Add to that a utilities infrastructure that was brought to its knees on the Cheyenne River Reservation when 3000 poles and power lines came down from 6 inches of ice weight also crippling the water system. Ongoing storm conditions hampered repair. The reservation has been without power since Jan. 21st and Federal funds are still weeks away.
update Feb 5 11-ish PM EST: News reports are saying that 'most' of the power has been turned back on, but water (& keeping that power from being shut off) continues to be a problem.
Please recommend this diary to give more people a chance to help.
UPDATE -- TiaRachel
I'm re-posting this since Navajo needs a break by now. I've played a bit with the formatting, especially since the power companies are now closed for the weekend but I haven't added any new information outside the Updates from comments in the earlier diary {update below is all mine}. And I hope I haven't left anything out. All the hard work of putting these together has been done by others -- Navajo, CACamp, KentuckyKat, Deep Harm... let me know if I've left anybody out. And of course, all those Kossacks & lurkers who've picked up the phone or clicked on a paypal link and sent help.
UPDATE Friday evening:
the AP is reporting that
Power outages in the Dakotas caused by a late January ice storm followed by a blizzard are down to fewer than 70 rural electric customers.
Crews in North Dakota are working to restore power to just six homes. In South Dakota, the Rural Electric Association says only about 60 homes remain in the dark. At the peak of the outages, more than 20,000 people in the two states were without electricity....
Another news release (from the Episcopal News Service) says that water is still a problem:
SOUTH DAKOTA: Bishop appeals to Episcopal Relief and Development after ice storms down 3,000 power lines
Ice storms downed an estimated 3,000 utility poles, leaving about 30,000 residents in two communities without water, electricity or heat for at least a week, said Randy Barnhardt, diocesan canon to the ordinary, during a Feb. 5 telephone interview from his Sioux Falls office.... The diocese had been able to disburse about $2,000 for purchase of propane gas for those with propane heaters. ...
Tribal Chairman Joe Brings Plenty declared a state of emergency on the reservation, ..."The loss of electricity has also knocked out the reservation's aging water system," said the tribal chairman, who had also asked the federal government to declare a state of emergency on the reservation. "We have no running water on the entire reservation...
Meanwhile, snow continued to fall Friday and another storm system was on the way, said Virginia Traverfie, senior warden of Emmanuel Church in White Horse, who lives on the reservation."We just got power back yesterday, but still no water," she said. "We've had people staying with us for the last five days. They just went home." ...
...Tribal leaders have set up shelters for those still without power, she said. "There are power lines laying everywhere. It hit the whole reservation really bad." But she said she is resilient. "We have to go outside and get snow and melt it for our bathrooms, and for doing dishes. ...
Yet another article, focusing on the efforts of the Yankton County Emergency Management Director Jeremy Dangel and team (who were relieved by others on Jan 28), includes this:
In Eagle Butte, Dangel and the other IMAT members assisted the tribe with establishing shelters for people without power. Food was prepared. Beds were set up.
But then another disaster struck. An incident at the water plant caused the whole system to shut down. So not only were nearly 15,000 households without power in that region of the state at some point, a water delivery system serving a three-county area was out of operation.
"We found out the entire reservation was going to be without water for a week," Dangel said. "Right away, we had to switch gears and account for not only how we were going to keep the shelters running and get people food, but also how we would get water up to the reservation and out to people. We had to do that quickly. It was a tremendous eye-opener to go in there and see that the entire infrastructure for a community that size could be removed."
...According to a media release, the state’s Emergency Operations Center had coordinated the delivery and placement of 79 generators, 379 cots, nearly 3,300 prepared meals and the equivalent of 38,500 bottles of water to the area of South Dakota hardest hit by the storm.
An Associated Press report on this week said some people in the region are still without electricity and water.
"I think we can honestly say that, whenever something came up, we were able to adapt and overcome those problems," Dangel said. "We didn’t do it alone. We were there to assist the tribe and the operation they put together. They did the bulk of the work. They should be awfully proud about the work they did."...
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The new snow storm has hit the reservations in South Dakota!
The temperatures there can go below zero with the wind chill factor.
Many members of these tribes are trying to cope with no power for heat and they haven't had running water since Jan. 21st. Some water was restored on the Cheyenne River rez Feb. 3rd but pipes were broken in the meantime in many of the homes. Those folks have to stay in the shelters.
Six inch diameter ice from power line explains devastating power outages.
Photo provided by Brenda Kleinjan, Director of Communications and Member Relations/Editor for South Dakota Rural Electric Association
There are nine reservations In South Dakota. News reports are covering only two reservations, Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River.
Full size photo and courtesy of South Dakota Office of Tribal Government Relations
There has been massive support from Kossacks in keeping my diaries on the REC list and donating money and supplies. Federal help is slow to arrive and your help is still urgently needed to prevent homes from freezing and people going without water and food. The major news coverage is weak.
Please help me again today with your RECs and spreading the news.
Many thanks to the new volunteers (to be listed shortly) to help me with a new series of diaries that will focus on preventing suffering from disasters like this.
Below are links to my previous diaries that provide background on the reservations and descriptions of the current disaster and a summary of donation links we have collected.
January 29th,Friday's diaries:
Chris Rodda's originating diary Emergency Help Desperately Needed to Heat Homes on the Pine Ridge Reservation and mine a repost of the original.
February 1st, Monday's diary:
Emergency: Ice Storms Devastate Pine Ridge Reservation and Others
February 2nd, Tuesday's diary:
EMERGENCY: Summary of Dakota Rezs Ongoing Dire Situation
February 3rd, Wednesday's diary:
EMERGENCY: Updated Summary of Dakota Rezs, More Snow Coming
February 4th, Thursday's diary:
EMERGENCY: Updated Summary of Dakota Rezs, Please Help
February 5th, Friday's diary:
EMERGENCY: Summary of Dakota Rez Links, Power Cos. Close 5PM MST
**************************************************
NEWS and UPDATES from previous diary:
Just Rec'd Email from Citizens Energy
Dear Barbara –
Thanks for your email to Citizens Energy.
We were aware of the crisis among the Lakota and sent a substantial heating grant donation last week to the Cheyenne River Sioux. We will be assisting other Great Plains tribes over the coming weeks.
All the best,
Brian O’Connor
Citizens Energy Corporation
FOR THOSE UNAWARE, CITIZENS ENERGY IS RUN BY JOE KENNEDY II.
by fabucat on Fri Feb 05, 2010 at 03:01:36 PM EST
News from the Navajo Nation in Arizona
Third weather-related death reported on Navajo Nation
An 88-year-old woman was found dead near the Crystal Chapter on the Navajo Nation last Wednesday, police reported.
The woman, whose name was not released, was found in the middle of the road about seven miles north of Crystal.
Navajo Nation remains snowbound
"Some areas got only a little snowfall while other spots have up to 8 feet of snow on the ground, so supplies are being assigned to high impact areas in the higher elevations," said Lorie Lee, a spokeswoman for emergency responders. "A fleet of units ranging from Snow Cats to 4x4s and deuce-and-a-half trucks are transporting the supplies to those who are stranded."
Guard drops meals on Navajo Nation, but language barrier keeps residents from eating food
Nearly 40,000 ready-to-eat meals were airdropped for residents stranded by impassable roads, but many elderly Navajo people are not eating them because the heating and preparation instructions appear only in English.
Problems arise because many elders living in isolated areas either can't read or can't understand the written instructions,...
[snip]
Those people are asked to go to chapter houses to exchange the packaged meals for "real food," she said. But elders who received airdropped meals are those who couldn't reach a chapter house to pick up supplies in the first place.
snip]
Because President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency for Arizona, agencies were allowed to use federal money for rescues, supplies and transportation.
[ Fund set for northern Arizona storm victims
Donors may make a tax-deductible contribution to the Navajo-Hopi Storm Relief Fund online at www.azfoundation.org. Contributions also may be made by credit card by calling (602) 381-1400, and checks may be mailed to the Arizona Community Foundation, 2201 E. Camelback Road, Suite 202, Phoenix, AZ 85016 (note "Navajo-Hopi Storm Relief Fund" on the check's memo line). ACF will provide receipts for tax purposes.
by navajo on Fri Feb 05, 2010 at 01:47:49 PM EST
Update: Cheyenne River Tribe Storm Relief page
$17,070 raised to date. Donate...
by tlemon on Fri Feb 05, 2010 at 06:24:28 PM EST
Tribe Prepares For Another Storm
With more possible severe weather predicted, Brings Plenty said they’re trying to prepare for the unknown....
[snip]
He issued a plea for donations of non-perishable food and bottled water as well as heating oil, propane, kerosene heaters and generators...
[snip]
Water has been restored in some areas, but others are still waiting on tests before the water is drinkable.
Brings Plenty said FEMA is on the ground and they’ve been there since Monday assessing damage.
From Aji's action diary today:
ACTION: S.D. Rez Weather ER - Media Contacts/LTE Template
From KentuckyKat's email:
Hi, my name is Sherry. I work for St. Francis Energy Co. I just wanted to thank you for the donations that have come in for propane. I wasn't sure what the donations were about until I got on the dailykos...
Rosebud Reservation
I am trying to see if LIHEAP can set up a paypal account that we can use to donate.
We will continue to use Cherry Todd Electric of Mission, South Dakota (605)856-4416 Tell them to direct your donation to LIHEAP.
Ask for Samantha. URGENT! Yesterday was disconnection day, some families had their power cut your donation today will help a family get their power turned back on. Credit Cards ok.
Country Pride also does not want to participate.
Lacreek Electric will not be participating in the donation program.
If you can only donate by check which will be used for future propane deliveries and other necessities send a ck to:
LIHEAP, attn Eileen.
P.O. Box 430
Rosebud, SD 57570
Cks payable to: Rosebud Sioux Tribe LIHEAP
From SarahLee:
Monetary Donations:
Rosebud Sioux Tribe President's Office
P.O. Box 430
Rosebud, SD 57570
Monetary donations (checks only right now) can be made to help the various emergency programs - from social services to energy to the emergency preparedness program, which may be providing extra food or plowing roads to diabetics and those needing dialysis, etc. Monetary donations can include a note specifying how you would like the funds used.
The tribal chairman's office also accepts clothing donations.
Clothing is passed out to those who come into the offices in need or through the tribal social services office.
Clothing:
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
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Pine Ridge Reservation
Food:
There are three different food stores that will accept credit cards by phone. To help a family in need of food, call Autumn 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.
Clothing Donation:
(Clothing must be clean or it will be thrown away!)
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.
Special thanks to Autumn Two Bulls who has been our contact from Pine Ridge. Autumn is completely a first responder volunteer, she is not getting paid nor profiting from this effort. She knows her people well and has driven all over this vast reservation which is half the size of Connecticut to check on families in need and collect their names for the power companies. She is currently working on plans to bring solar energy to the Pine Ridge Reservation, and also the construction this summer of an entirely green homeless shelter -- projects that, when completed, will serve as a model for other reservations.
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CHEYENNE RIVER RESERVATION
Here is a large excerpt from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe's disaster declaration:
Experts estimate it may be as long as a month before
all areas have electricity restored.
Donations Needed:
MEDICAL NEEDS: Dialysis Patients/Glucose Strips/Financial
Support for Hotels
* The dialysis patients have all been evacuated three
hours away to Rapid City, SD.
They are staying in hotels for at least a week and half,
probably longer.
The Tribe is looking into reimbursement sources from CMS
and IHS, but in the interim financial contributions are
needed to help the families pay for their hotel expenses
and food.
An account has been set up at Wells Fargo to help with
these expenses.
You can contribute at any Wells Fargo or send to the Rapid City branch.
CONTRIBUTIONS:
Wells Fargo
Cheyenne Dialysis Patients (c/o Dew Bad Warrior)
Acct. #: 5815904338
1615 N 7th St.
Rapid City, SD 55701
* Medical Items Need on the Reservation itself (shipping address
below):
* Glucose Strips
* First Aid Kits
* Children's Tylenol
* Children's Cough Syrup
NEEDED SUPPLIES:
Please forward to any
companies that manufacture these items that may
be of assistance.
* Non-perishable food
* Cots
* Heat sources (heaters & fuel)
* Camp stoves & fuel
* Light sources:
* Lithium 1, 2 and 3 batteries for law enforcement
* Lamps/Batteries/Lamp Oil
* Toiletries
* Toilet paper
* Paper products for the shelters
* Pampers/formula
* Hand/baby wipes/Hand sanitizer
FINANCIAL DONATIONS:
The Tribe has depleted its emergency budget with the two blizzards that already hit the reservation since December.
It needs funds to help buy food and supplies for the community and volunteers, to pay for gas and overtime for the workers, to replace the motor at the water pump station that was destroyed, etc.
Any financial donations are much appreciated.
The Tribe has set up on-line donations:
Donate ONLINE to Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
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
SHIP SUPPLIES TO:
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman's Office
Attn: Ice Storm Emergency Supplies
PO Box 590
2001 Main Street (Tribal Offices)
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
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)
CRST 2010 Disaster Relief Press Release, Background, Assessment and Public Service Announcement for local residents. Slide show of power line damage there.
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Umbrella Groups
You can double your donation and use a credit card.
The (Archibald & Edyth) Bush Foundation is matching gifts to relieve suffering on SD Indian reservations following an ice storm that will leave many without heat, electricity and food for weeks. The Foundation will give up to $25,000 in 1 for 1 matching dollars.
The Minneapolis based foundation announced today that it will match gifts to Native Americans in Philanthropy which has created a special fund to assist the Cheyenne River Tribe of the Lakota Nation.
(You can donate here thru Native Americans in Philanthropy
Progress:
$3,766 (Jan. 31st)
$7,866 (Feb. 1st at noon PST before this diary) four hours later $8,781
$11,200 (Feb. 2nd AM)
$13,040 (Feb. 4th 10:58 AM PST)
$15,330 (Feb. 4th 2:38 PM PST)
$16,745 (Feb. 5th 11:12 AM PST) raised to date)
by Alice Olson on Fri Jan 29, 2010 at 05:54:39 PM PST
UPDATE FEB. 3rd 2:00 PM PST:
The Bush Foundation has added another $25,000 in matching funds thru the South Dakota Community Foundation As of this posting Feb.3rd at 2:00 PM PST they have $665 raised. Spread the word and let's see another DKos bump.
Progress:
$665 Feb. 3rd
$985 Feb. 4th 11:00 AM PST
$1,135 Feb. 4th 2:40 PM PST
$1,224 Feb. 5th 11:12 AM PST raised to date
The Native American Heritage Association (NAHA) (NAHA) is a very reputable organization with a 4 star rating from Charity Navigator, so if you're looking for a way that you can donate online, and want to be sure your donation is going to a legitimate charity, this would be the organization to send your donation to. NAHA provides food, clothing, heating assistance, etc., to the people on several South Dakota reservations.
Government Officials To Contact
Legislator Info gathered by KentuckyKat:
Sen. Tim Johnson
Democrat
E-mail: tim@johnson.senate.gov
SH-136 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4104
(202) 224-5842
(202) 228-5765 Fax | Senator John Thune
383 Russell
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2321
Fax:(202) 228-5429 |
Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin
Democrat
U.S. House of Representatives
WWW Home Page: http://hersethsandlin.house.gov/
1504 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
phone: 202-225-2801
fax: 202-225-5823 | Contact Governor Rounds
Office of the Governor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
605.773.3212
email link here |
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
http://indian.senate.gov/...
Democrats only
(H/T CuriousBoston)
White House info (H/T DeepHarm)
To send an email message, go here.
To telephone or FAX:
Comments: 202-456-1111;
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
To use TTY/TDD:
TTY/TDD:Comments: 202-456-6213Visitors Office: 202-456-2121 | To send traditional mail:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
(Please include your e-mail address) |
More:
The Native American Advocacy Program (NAAP)
Not so much for emergencies, but they help our tribal members with disabilities.
302 East 2nd Street
P.O. Box 527
Winner, South Dakota 57580-0527
Phone: (605) 842-3977 |
Native American Rights Fund
"Our Mission: preservation of tribal existence, protection of tribal natural resources, promotion of Native American human rights, accountability of governments to Native Americans, development of Indian law and educating the public about Indian rights, laws, and issues."
http://www.narf.org
E-Mail: pereira@narf.org
1712 N St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-785-4166
Fax: 202-822-0068 |
From Winter Rabbit's kickass diary.
See also Ojibwa's diaries on our history.
If you have 1 hr. 20 min. there is a excellent PBS doc about Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation, We Shall Remain, Wounded Knee, Episode 5. (H/T exmearden) It features Kossack Carter Camp throughout and gives an important history lesson about his people, AIM and the struggle that continues today to retain the culture. (Our own Meteor Blades spent 51 of the 71 days of occupation inside with Carter Camp and the rest of AIM.)
Remember it is URGENT to get financial help to these tribes, please help.
Please leave us a comment if you were able to donate.