WANBLEE SUPPORT PROJECT

IN THE WINTER OF 2015, I MADE A TRIP TO WANBLEE, SOUTH DAKOTA, ON THE PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION, IN ORDER TO DELIVER SUPPLIES IN SUPPORT OF THE “STANDING ROCK DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE RESISTANCE” ENCAMPMENT.

MY FIRST IMPRESSION OF WANBLEE WAS THAT IT HAD TO BE A DIFFICULT PLACE TO CALL HOME. MANY OF THE HOMES ARE IN NEED OF REPAIR, THE ROADS OUTSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY ARE NOT WELL MAINTAINED, IF AT ALL, AND THERE ARE VERY FEW SERVICES AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS. STORES ARE NONEXISTENT FOR THE MOST PART, AND BASIC NEEDS, SUCH AS GROCERIES, ARE NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE, (OUTSIDE OF A LOCAL CONVENIENCE TYPE STORE THE NEAREST GROCERY STORE IS EASILY A TWO-HOUR TRIP). THE NEED FOR FOOD IS GREAT. WINTERS ARE HARSH AND PUNISHING. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR MANY FAMILIES WILL SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO LIVE WITH FAMILIES NEAR THE SCHOOL OR NEAR THE SCHOOL BUS ROUTES, AND THOSE HOMES RECEIVING THESE CHILDREN CAN INCREASE IN SIZES OF OVER A DOZEN PER HOUSEHOLD. THE NEED FOR FOOD, BEDDING AND BLANKETS, CLOTHING AND PERSONAL CARE ITEMS IS OVERWHELMING. THIS IS SOME OF WHAT I HAVE BECOME AWARE OF AS A RESULT OF MY DISCUSSIONS WITH MY FRIENDS AT THE RESERVATION.

THERE IS A FAMILY WHO LIVE IN WHAT IS REFERED TO AS THE COUNTRY, (AREAS BARELY ACCESSIBLE WITHIN THE RESERVATION), WHOSE FATHER HAD RECENTLY PASSED. THE MOTHER HAD ABANDONED THE FAMILY AND THE FAMILY NOW CONSISTS OF AN EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD BOY AND HIS SIX YOUNGER SIBLINGS. THE BOY IS DETERMINED TO KEEP THE FAMILY TOGETHER. THE PLACE THAT THEY LIVE IN HAS NO FURNISHINGS OR KITCHEN. IT IS A SHACK, BUT THE BOY IS DETERMINED TO MAKE IT A HOME. OUR CONTACTS IN PINE RIDGE WANT TO HELP GET FURNISHINGS FOR THIS FAMILY AND I AM ASKING FOR YOUR HELP. THERE IS ANOTHER FAMILY WHO LOST THEIR HOME TO FIRE RECENTLY AND ARE IN NEED OF HELP AS WELL. I AM NOT SURE WHERE WE GO FROM HERE BUT I KNOW THAT WE WILL DO ALL WE CAN TO HELP.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN GET ALL OF THE FURNISHINGS TO FILL A DECENT SIZED TRUCK WITH DONATED FURNITURE, BUT THE COST OF A TRUCK RENTAL AND FUEL FOR THE TRIP IS NOT CHEAP. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO RAISE THE FUNDS TO MAKE THIS TRIP.

. WE WILL ALSO BE GATHERING MORE FOOD, DIAPERS AND WINTER CLOTHING FOR THE TRIP WHEN WE HAVE THE FUNDS.

PLEASE KNOW THAT MARY AND I ARE GRATEFUL FOR ANY SUPPORT YOU CAN OFFER TO HELP US MEET OUR GOAL.

THANK YOU