In Wednesday's Episcopal Public Policy Network's POLICY ALERT, Eagle Butte, South Dakota is described this way. 'The largest town, Eagle Butte, has one grocery store, a few cafes, and one taco restaurant. It has no movie theatre, no bowling alley, and no bookstore...The local flower shop often doesn't sell a single flower for days. Its biggest boom comes when someone from the community dies."
This March, I made a special donation to the Cheyenne River Youth Project in Eagle Butte in honor of my friend Kevin's birthday. This is from the letter of thanks I received today.
Dear Linda,
On behalf of the Cheyenne River Youth Project thank you for your donations of prom dresses, shoes, a purse and other clothing items to support Passion for Fashion 2011 that was held on March 12, 2011.
This year's event was incredibly successful with 84 girls attending the actual event along with over 30 Moms, Aunties, Grandmas, Sisters, and Community Volunteers! This year's theme, "Alice in Wonderland", brought the event to an entirely new level of fantasy and excitement for the girls. As Alice said" Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
When the young women arrived at Cokata Wiconi (the Main Youth Center) at 1 p.m. they enjoyed a "Mad Hatter's Tea Party" luncheon and special presentation in the Magical Forest, followed by ice-breaker activities at 2:30 p. m. Then, from 3:30 TO 6 P.M. the girls entered the Red Queen's Palace and had the opportunity to select their prom dresses and accessories; receive manicures, pedicures, and facials; learn the best make-up applications for prom night; and try new hairstyles. At 6 p.m., all teens modeled their new looks in a formal runway fashion show, which has always been a huge hit. After the fashion show concluded at 7p.m., the teens enjoyed cake, watched a screening of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland and participated in the final prize drawings.
For Cheyenne River teen girls, this day is not only about finding their perfect dress and accessories for an amazing prom experience, it is also about coming out of their shells, learning about making positive life decisions, forming intergenerational relationships, and most importantly- loving the people they are....
Passion for Fashion is made possible by your generosity.
I hope you can see from the content of this letter why I am so sold on the Cheyenne River Youth Project-lakotayouth.org
Thursday, March 31, 2011
BUFFALO OR ZIEBACH
Last week, I watched a webcast for Feeding America which explained the Map the Gap project which will be discussed in another blog In that study, Buffalo County emerged as the poorest county in the United States. This week, the Episcopal Public Policy Network's theme is helping the rural poor and asserts Ziebach county also in South Dakota is our nation's poorest county. To me, debating who is the poorest is not the issue. Both counties are homes to Sioux reservations.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
First of all be more informed. South Dakota is home to the Crow Creek (in Buffalo County) , Rosebud, Pine Ridge,and Lower Brule reservations. All of these are served by the Native American Heritage Association (a 4 star charity) which works with Feeding America another 4 star charity. In addition, there are the Lake Traverse reservation (home to the Sisseton and Wahpeton Sioux), the Yankton reservation, and the Cheyenne River reservation. The Cheyenne River reservation is in Ziebach County with Eagle Butte its main town. The Cheyenne River Youth Project works to provide the youth there with actitivities (see lakotayouth.org ) I have found this organization to be outstanding at thanking you without continually asking for more.
Next, the giving of food and other items does not break the cycle of unemployment and despair. Native peoples need jobs and businesses. The Crow Creek people have both the Harvest Initiative and a microlending program called Hunkpati Investmests. In addition, the tribal colleges can train people in skills. Ron His Horse is Thunder, former charman of the Standing Rock Sioux reservation which is in both North and South Dakota, has been the head of the tribal colleges and an advisor to the President.
Finally, to be better informed on laws which involve these groups, the National Congress of American Indians website and THOMAS (Library of Congress) can be valuable sources of information. Going on the websites of the tribal reservations and organizations mentioned in this blog can be a valuable, eye-opening learning experience. To take immediate action, enroll in the Episcopal Public Policy Network. You can renew your commitment to the nation's rural poor by e-mailing your Senators and Representative.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
First of all be more informed. South Dakota is home to the Crow Creek (in Buffalo County) , Rosebud, Pine Ridge,and Lower Brule reservations. All of these are served by the Native American Heritage Association (a 4 star charity) which works with Feeding America another 4 star charity. In addition, there are the Lake Traverse reservation (home to the Sisseton and Wahpeton Sioux), the Yankton reservation, and the Cheyenne River reservation. The Cheyenne River reservation is in Ziebach County with Eagle Butte its main town. The Cheyenne River Youth Project works to provide the youth there with actitivities (see lakotayouth.org ) I have found this organization to be outstanding at thanking you without continually asking for more.
Next, the giving of food and other items does not break the cycle of unemployment and despair. Native peoples need jobs and businesses. The Crow Creek people have both the Harvest Initiative and a microlending program called Hunkpati Investmests. In addition, the tribal colleges can train people in skills. Ron His Horse is Thunder, former charman of the Standing Rock Sioux reservation which is in both North and South Dakota, has been the head of the tribal colleges and an advisor to the President.
Finally, to be better informed on laws which involve these groups, the National Congress of American Indians website and THOMAS (Library of Congress) can be valuable sources of information. Going on the websites of the tribal reservations and organizations mentioned in this blog can be a valuable, eye-opening learning experience. To take immediate action, enroll in the Episcopal Public Policy Network. You can renew your commitment to the nation's rural poor by e-mailing your Senators and Representative.
MARCH MS MONTH/ APRIL10 MS WALK
While March is almost over, it is not too late to do something for the cause of Multiple Sclerosis. On April 10 at Towson University, the 2011 MS Walk will take place. You can choose to walk, form or join a team, or sponsor a walker. The team I am sponsoring is Eleanor's Beacons. While this year, as last year, the team has already met its goal; you can still contribute to this worthy cause. Just enter MS WALK MD in your browser and click on the Towson or other convenient location to get involved. Thank you.
Consequences
Today, I e-mailed the White House about the issue of arming rebels in Libya. I know that NATO doesn't interpret the UN resolution for a no fly zone to include arming rebels. When the US earlier in our history supplied arms to Afghan rebels, we know that these arms eventually got into the hands of groups we are now having to deal with as adversaries. Since we do not know enough about the factions within the rebel cause, I feel it is best to not escalate into arming the rebels.
Sometimes what seems appropriate at the moment can haunt our conscience and possibly destroy lives. I gave, as an example, my KIVA microloan to a group in Liberia. The money had already been lent to this group to buy hardware. Further reading revealed that this hardware included knives and machetes. Granted the items could be useful in farming, building, and gathering firewood; but they could also be used to kill people. So, I worry how they will be used but this is out of my control. Therefore, I hope the President will carefully weigh the consequences involved before arming rebels.
Sometimes what seems appropriate at the moment can haunt our conscience and possibly destroy lives. I gave, as an example, my KIVA microloan to a group in Liberia. The money had already been lent to this group to buy hardware. Further reading revealed that this hardware included knives and machetes. Granted the items could be useful in farming, building, and gathering firewood; but they could also be used to kill people. So, I worry how they will be used but this is out of my control. Therefore, I hope the President will carefully weigh the consequences involved before arming rebels.
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