So, I am trying to help give navajo a break from posting, but I am having html issues, so I am going to have to refer you back to prior diaries for some links and info.
As many of you already know, the reservations got hit with another storm this week and I've just learned from Sherry at St. Francis (Rosebud Reservation) that they are expecting to get hit with an Arctic Blast on Monday. That means that it is critical that we continue to get this information out and to line up donations for propane and electric for Monday. With Sherry's permission, I would like to share her words with you.
[UPDATE III: Aji, our goddess of lte's and political pressure has a new diary up. Please stop by and rec (and take some of the suggested actions).
Good Morning [KentuckyKat],
It's been a busy week. I would like to thank you and all the people who have donated funds to help with propane for the people living on The Rosebud. As of 730 pm last nite 14 people have donated 1824.00! THANK YOU!
I am delivering $150.00 in propane to the families that are in need of help. The propane that I have delivered thus far was greatly appreciated by the families. When they asked "who is this from?" I tell them,"A group of donors who want to help the people on the Rosebud, ask Linda/Carter camp. They have more information." This is all I tell them because I really don't know what else to say.
I have the recipient sign the lpg ticket, because if they got they help then they really needed it. It is SFEC's company policy that if your lpg tank is less than 5%, then someone needs to be home so that I can see a pilot lite.
I do have a list of names of people who have donated. And, I also have a list of the people that have received the propane.
If you have any questions about anything please feel free to call me. If I can't be reached at (605)747-2542 then here is my cell # (605)208-8888.
Again Thank You All Very Much
Sherry
St. Francis Energy Company
Hi [KentuckyKat],
I would really appreciate if you would share with the group. It would be the easiest way for me to say Thank You all, you all are a wounderful group of people. I will keep you informed of whatever it is you may want to know about the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and the people's needs/events....I would like to talk more with you ... oh yeah, I have your call back number. Let me know when you have some free time, and have some questions for me to answer.
Thanks, Sherry
ps weather update: I told a gentleman that we were in for an arctic blast on thursday, turns out the arctic blast will be here by monday.
I am still trying to figure out the code to repost all of the info that we have collected in the past diaries...but for now, please go here for information on donations and how to contact politicians and the media to raise awareness of this emergency.
UPDATE I: Here is info on the propane companies. From what I am told by those on the ground, this is what will do the most immediate good.
St. Francis Energy Co. 605-747-2542...St. Francis will take any payment over $5, a full order of propane is $150. If you call St. Francis, ask for Sherry or Patsy...they are the only two who can process this type of payment.
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
1.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.
UPDATE II: Navajo was kind enough to share her code...
Rosebud Reservation
UPDATE FROM Kossack CARTER CAMP! Donations here help homes get their power turned back on since Feb. 2nd was cutoff day!
I spoke with a local company owner who agreed to take credit cards for propane delivery. She's also a local resident and one of the only native owned propane companies.
St. Francis Energy Co. 605-747-2542.
Patsy Valandra said she and her daughter Sherry will be answering the phone and she'll be working with community leaders to identify families in need and particularly those who need help but are ineligible for LIHEAP.
by cacamp on Wed Feb 03, 2010 at 07:28:20 AM PST
From KentuckyKat and boadicea:
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
Pine Ridge Reservation
Power:
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
1.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.
Call Lacreek Electric Company at 800-655-9324 or 605-685-6581
You need to have a name of a needy family when you call. Please email KentuckyKat, 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 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.
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
Byron Dorgan, Chair, ND
1-800-666-4482 only in ND
Contact Form:
http://dorgan.senate.gov/...
Kent Conrad ND
1-800-223-4457 only in ND
Contact Form:
http://conrad.senate.gov.contact
Tim Johnson SD
1-800-537-0025 only in SD
Contact form:
http://johnson.senate.gov.contact
Maria Cantwell WA
1-866-648-7328 only in WA
Contact form:
http://cantwell.senate.gov.contact
Jon Tester MT
Contact Form:
http://tester.senate.gov.contact
Tom Udall NM
Contact Form:
http://udall.senate.gov.contact
Al Franken MN
Contact Form:
http://franken.senate.gov.contact
(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: 202-456-6213
Visitors 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
==========================
National:
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.)
Many, many thanks to KentuckyKat for helping me put this together and to all the others in the comments helping us research.
Remember it is URGENT to get financial help to these tribes, please help.
Please leave us a comment if you were able to donate.