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.