Feature
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Response from another ONE Spirit friend who's been to Pine Ridge
For those who have never been to the reservation and actually seen the way many people have to live, it is hard to imagine that conditions like this exist in 21st century America - but they do. Last year I was asked to take pictures of an isolated, dilapidated, one room home with no electricity or running water, while the owner was in hospital suffering from an infection. I cannot post the photographs at this time, but taking them was a very difficult thing for me to do. It was the most desolate living space that I had ever seen - although very likely not the worst in the area.
In 2007 a man froze to death in his house a couple of miles from where I was staying. There was no reporting of this incident and an elderly Lakota told me: "So many people around here die untimely deaths that no one pays any attention any more."
Betty is right that none of us will be able to bring a permanent solution to the overall situation, but we can help provide food and warmth and the knowledge that somebody cares. The youth programs we support are also very important. The young people hold the future in their hands and they must have something to hope for if this epidemic of suicide is to end. Without hope it is very difficult to have life. We are making a difference, both now and for the future.
Anne
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thoughts from a ONE Spirit Area Services Coordinator
Hello One Spirit friends. I have not posted since I took over the position of Area Service Coordinator for Oglala and Pine Ridge this past summer. As you might imagine, it has been a busy time, getting to know both the residents of those areas on my lists and the many wonderful people who sponsor them.
The time also included a trip by my husband and me to the reservation, in October. We have been there several times before, but usually to visit friends. We certainly did that again, but we also used this visit to meet some of the families I had spoken to over the several months before the trip.
In 5 days, we put 950 miles on the rental car while driving from place to place on the reservation! For those of you who have not been there, our high mileage was caused by the great distances separating the settled areas. For example, the distance from our room at the Lakota Prairie Ranch Resort in Kyle to Pine Ridge was about 35 miles.
During our time on the reservation, we saw many things that were very difficult to see. While our philosophical discussions on this board are interesting, my focus is on the immediate needs of those in jeopardy, especially the children and elders. I don't believe that I, or anyone else from the outside, will be able to solve the "whys" and "hows" of permanent improvement on Pine Ridge Reservation. But together we can keep the children warm and fed until those with more resources step in to more permanently solve the problems.
We all know there is deep, grinding poverty on the reservation and, if we are in this group and on this board, we care very much about that. But I would have to say that this visit hit me harder than have my prior visits. Perhaps that is because we saw a wider variety of homes and people this time. We learned there are varying degrees of poverty. Some houses and trailers were small and spare, but well kept. We visited the apartment of a woman who is confined to a wheelchair and I wondered how she could possibly maneuver the chair in that space, it was so small. We visited a trailer that I thought would blow over in the next good gust of wind (and there is plenty of wind in South Dakota). We brought food with us on our visits. We were given small gifts in return. We were treated warmly and welcomed wherever we went.
I had hoped to take photos of the places I went and people I met. But I could not – not because anyone objected, but because my heart would not allow me to expose the pain and poverty of the people to the world. It seemed intrusive and felt like an invasion of their privacy. However, our friends allowed us to take photos of the house they are living in – (rented for about $500 per month). I had prior photos of what it looked like when they moved in. It has improved – slightly. This is their story . . .
They had a family of 5 (2 adults, 3 teen girls) living with one of the grandmothers in a small house with at least 7 others persons. They wanted/needed a place of their own. However, on Pine Ridge, you can be on the housing list for 10 years and still not get a place of your own. There is a dire shortage of adequate housing. So when a cousin lost the tenants in a house he had, he offered it to them at the price noted above. The little blue house has 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and a larger room that includes both "living room" and "kitchen."
In the smaller bedroom, there is a queen-sized mattress on the floor (because there is no room for a bed in the room). With the mattress pushed up into one corner of the room, there is only about 6-8 inches of space between the two open sides and the opposites walls--- barely room to walk around the mattress, let alone place any other furniture. No closet. In the larger bedroom, there is the queen-sized bed with perhaps a couple of feet of space free. In that space there are boxes filled with the family's clothing and belongings. Windows are covered with blankets – less for decoration than to keep out the cold. The bathroom door has been boarded up and sealed with duct tape to prevent drafts. It isn't needed, since there is no running water in the house at all. No indoor toilet, just the outhouse. The kitchen has a couple of cupboards and a sink that again has no running water. For almost a year, until they finally obtained a water storage tank from the tribe, they had to cart all the water for their use from a family member's home in empty milk jugs. There was no stove or refrigerator for a year, until we managed to find them a second hand fridge. The electricity in the home is most certainly not up to code and fuses blow if too many things are plugged in at once.
The back door of the house is boarded up with plywood because the door was falling apart. So they have only one entrance/exit. We were able to replace the front door, which was also falling apart, on our recent visit. Their only heat source consists of 2 small electric space heaters, including one of the ones One Spirit was supplying last winter. There had been a wood stove in the house when they moved in, but it was so damaged by the prior tenants that it was unusable and had to be removed.
What moves me most is that these were not the worst conditions we encountered! I hear stories all the time about how people are trying to live and to raise their children.
The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe recently declared a State of Emergency on the Pine Ridge Reservation because of the "overwhelming numbers of suicides and suicide attempts." In the 11 months between Oct 2008 and Aug 2009, the tribal Public Safety Dept responded to 96 suicide attempts or completions. In November 2009 alone, EMS responded to 17 suicide-related calls. That's more than one every other day! Many are teens, who see no hope living in these conditions.
As I said before, none of us can solve all these problems. But we can help supply the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter to those who are in need of those things. Everywhere we went, people thanked us for helping and told us how important even the seemingly little things, like soap, shampoo, toilet paper, shoes and cleaning supplies are.
I will try to post more often in 2010 (my New Year's resolution). I hope that the things I share will help you realize how important your small gifts and your caring are to those who receive them.
Betty B.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
ONE Spirit booth at 'America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration' Plymouth, MA
photo of Ed Broken Feather Chandler & Jeri Baker
This past weekend ONE Spirit volunteer and advocate Ed Broken Feather Chandler once again set up to vend on behalf of ONE Spirit in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Billed as 'America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration' the event draws overs 100,000 people for a parade, the Air Force 'Tops in Blue' Band, crafts and food, and more.
This year ONE Spirit's director Jeri Baker and assistant director Diane Capalario were able to attend and visit and, along with Ed, talk with those who came by about the work of ONE Spirit.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Benefit walk for ONE SPIRIT to be held in Howth Ireland on Sat. Nov. 28th 2009
Do you live in or near Dublin Ireland or know someone who does?
Could you spare a few hours to do a sponsored walk for a very good cause. One Spirit Ireland was set up to raise funds for the OS programs that support the Lakota people and allow them to take care of their elders, families, and children.
The 12K walk will begin at the railway station at 11:30am, then the walk will continue along the coast road (the seafront), finishing in Clontarf. The walk should take about 3 hours, if walking a good pace. You may leave your car in Dublin and take the train to Howth, then after the walk, take the train for the couple of stops to Dublin. You may also drive to Howth, walk to Clontarf and then take the train back to your car in Howth.
For more information on the walk or on One Spirit please contact Sue at 087-7768956 or email onespiritireland@gmail.com for more information.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Note from a sponsor -Thanks for SHARE food program
Periodically we get notes from our sponsors that show just how special their experiences with the families the sponsor are. This one came today.
*****
I have been honored to sponsor an elder for the last year with Share...Today, I received a phone call from my elder wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving and thanking me for the Huge Share Thanksgiving box that was sent to her and her family. She was clearly excited and conveyed to me how excited the children were to have turkey AND pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.
I am so humbled and so moved today. How clearly we take so much for granted. I wish I could buy her the moon.
I wanted to say thank you to Share, all the people who work so tirelessly and diligently to put this program together for all peoples. It is such a huge blessing to both the giver and the receiver. I hope each of you involved in Share know that I, for one, thank you for all your hard work.
Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings everyone.
M. J.
*****
I have been honored to sponsor an elder for the last year with Share...Today, I received a phone call from my elder wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving and thanking me for the Huge Share Thanksgiving box that was sent to her and her family. She was clearly excited and conveyed to me how excited the children were to have turkey AND pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.
I am so humbled and so moved today. How clearly we take so much for granted. I wish I could buy her the moon.
I wanted to say thank you to Share, all the people who work so tirelessly and diligently to put this program together for all peoples. It is such a huge blessing to both the giver and the receiver. I hope each of you involved in Share know that I, for one, thank you for all your hard work.
Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings everyone.
M. J.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The End of My Powwow Season!
Hi Everybody,
The end of my powwow season is rapidly approaching! Don't get me wrong, I could use a break in my hectic schedule, but the fact remains, that the seasons harsh winter weather is about to set in at Pine Ridge! If you keep abreast of the One Spirit website, you know the call has gone out to support my efforts to raise money for One Spirit, by supplying Native American items (No resin, plastic or chinese made items) for me to resell. It's absolutely necessary to focus on funds raised, because this, the most important time of the year, where the cold can bring about incredible difficulties, for families at Pine Ridge, we need to provide wood, blankets, food and other supplies that are so important to the survival of the Lakota people. I'm sure if you're reading this post, you're involved with One Spirit already and are helping in whatever way you can. But, if you have a native mandela, dream catcher, bow, arrow & quiver, wall hanging or other native items collecting dust in a closet, please know, that item could be helping our cause to raise money, to support our efforts assisting the Oglala Lakota Sioux become self-sufficient. If you have an item you're unsure about, e-mail me at brokenfeather@verizon.net to inquire about it. Please, I beg you from the bottom of my heart, that you can make a difference in the life of a Lakota family! I concider the people that support One Spirit, the finest bunch of people from all walks of life that simply care about a people that have been neglected by the United States Government since their mid 1860's treaty! The reality remains that a $1.00 gain, can provide $3.00 worth of fresh fruit or vegetables for a child or elder, that's not a normal part of their diet! Never ever think a dollar won't make a difference. Please, do you have an idea about raising funds to assist our cause, let us know! Please help!
The end of my powwow season is rapidly approaching! Don't get me wrong, I could use a break in my hectic schedule, but the fact remains, that the seasons harsh winter weather is about to set in at Pine Ridge! If you keep abreast of the One Spirit website, you know the call has gone out to support my efforts to raise money for One Spirit, by supplying Native American items (No resin, plastic or chinese made items) for me to resell. It's absolutely necessary to focus on funds raised, because this, the most important time of the year, where the cold can bring about incredible difficulties, for families at Pine Ridge, we need to provide wood, blankets, food and other supplies that are so important to the survival of the Lakota people. I'm sure if you're reading this post, you're involved with One Spirit already and are helping in whatever way you can. But, if you have a native mandela, dream catcher, bow, arrow & quiver, wall hanging or other native items collecting dust in a closet, please know, that item could be helping our cause to raise money, to support our efforts assisting the Oglala Lakota Sioux become self-sufficient. If you have an item you're unsure about, e-mail me at brokenfeather@verizon.net to inquire about it. Please, I beg you from the bottom of my heart, that you can make a difference in the life of a Lakota family! I concider the people that support One Spirit, the finest bunch of people from all walks of life that simply care about a people that have been neglected by the United States Government since their mid 1860's treaty! The reality remains that a $1.00 gain, can provide $3.00 worth of fresh fruit or vegetables for a child or elder, that's not a normal part of their diet! Never ever think a dollar won't make a difference. Please, do you have an idea about raising funds to assist our cause, let us know! Please help!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Membership........
Well it's been a couple of weeks since I've posted any information to this site, so I guess I need to spout off again!
I've contributed financially, to One Spirit for well over a year, maybe two. From what I've noticed, is that we're not growing as an organization! I have to ask myself why? If you contribute in any way,that means you must believe in One Spirit's cause of assisting the Oglala Lakota Sioux. Are you asking relatives, friends, church members, or just plain friends to check out what you do to assist Native American's and to join your efforts to assist? Are you a contributor to a local newspaper? Write a letter to the editor explaining your contribution to One Spirit, and the Lakota Sioux! Do you live in a area that has free advertizements in local newspapers? If so, write a small article about what you do for One Spirit. Who knows, it might get picked up by a National Broadcaster for publication. It simply doesn't do us any good to become stagnant as a charitable organization. We need to grow, in order to expand our efforts to help the Oglala Lakota Sioux!
An e-mail was sent out this morning to members, looking for people interested in assisting One Spirit Management! It all revolves around growing, and that we need to do! Do you have an idea how to expand our present membership? If you do, please offer that suggestion to Jeri. Do you have marketing experiance? we need all the help we can get! What about logistics and data management? Yup, you guessed it! The bottom line is this, we're alone in the world and we need global recognition for what we do on a monthly basis!
I personaly would like to see our membership ranks grow to the point where we could have area membership meetings! Monthly meetings can generate huge benefits to membership.
I certainly don't know what you are thinking, but I as an individual, and a financial contributor to One Spirit, need to say, that there are other area's that we could offer major contributions! But we need to grow, in order to make those other area's of contribution available to the Lakota. I would love to see a college scholorship fund, to help a Lakota child attend college! We as a charitable organization owe this to at least one Lakota Child, to begin with. Hopefully, with backing, this program could be expanded to include other Lakota children! This is the real first step to breaking the cycle of poverty on Pine Ridge! You don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand the logic behind this potential program!
Write to us and tell us what you think, we want your suggestions and thoughts! The Oglala Lakota people are depending on us for their ultimate self-sufficiency, and we need to act now!
I've contributed financially, to One Spirit for well over a year, maybe two. From what I've noticed, is that we're not growing as an organization! I have to ask myself why? If you contribute in any way,that means you must believe in One Spirit's cause of assisting the Oglala Lakota Sioux. Are you asking relatives, friends, church members, or just plain friends to check out what you do to assist Native American's and to join your efforts to assist? Are you a contributor to a local newspaper? Write a letter to the editor explaining your contribution to One Spirit, and the Lakota Sioux! Do you live in a area that has free advertizements in local newspapers? If so, write a small article about what you do for One Spirit. Who knows, it might get picked up by a National Broadcaster for publication. It simply doesn't do us any good to become stagnant as a charitable organization. We need to grow, in order to expand our efforts to help the Oglala Lakota Sioux!
An e-mail was sent out this morning to members, looking for people interested in assisting One Spirit Management! It all revolves around growing, and that we need to do! Do you have an idea how to expand our present membership? If you do, please offer that suggestion to Jeri. Do you have marketing experiance? we need all the help we can get! What about logistics and data management? Yup, you guessed it! The bottom line is this, we're alone in the world and we need global recognition for what we do on a monthly basis!
I personaly would like to see our membership ranks grow to the point where we could have area membership meetings! Monthly meetings can generate huge benefits to membership.
I certainly don't know what you are thinking, but I as an individual, and a financial contributor to One Spirit, need to say, that there are other area's that we could offer major contributions! But we need to grow, in order to make those other area's of contribution available to the Lakota. I would love to see a college scholorship fund, to help a Lakota child attend college! We as a charitable organization owe this to at least one Lakota Child, to begin with. Hopefully, with backing, this program could be expanded to include other Lakota children! This is the real first step to breaking the cycle of poverty on Pine Ridge! You don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand the logic behind this potential program!
Write to us and tell us what you think, we want your suggestions and thoughts! The Oglala Lakota people are depending on us for their ultimate self-sufficiency, and we need to act now!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Fonda, NY, Kateri Shrine Pow-Wow
Hi Everyone,
I got to Fonda Wednesday afternoon, with rain on the windshield, and set-up my arbor in a drizzle of rain. Thursday was cloudy with spot showers throughout the day! Friday, "Opening Day", it rained in the morning, and was cloudy, windy and raw until about 5 PM when it started to rain again. Saturday was much of the same, with the muddy areas over ankle deep! Straw was brought in and spread over the really bad mud trenches, much to everyone's relief. On Sunday, I awoke about 5:30ish. The sun was shining on the horizon and there wasn't a cloud to be seen!
Saturday, there was a contingency from France, that came through the pow-wow grounds. I was talking to a woman, who had a strange look on her face, when someone in her group said, "she's from France and doesn't understand English". When I heard that, I yelled out "Mon Ami!" and gave her a big hug! That broke the ice with the group. It got even better, when I told their interpreter about the group in France that supports One Spirit. Then, everyone wanted One Spirit's website address, for the link to the group in France. I had a ball with my really,really bad broken French Canadian, and had everyone laughing at me. Surely the highlight of my day!
I was a really big hit with the mosquito's at Fonda! I'll be scratching mosquito and spider bites for at least a week! Pictured below is a moth that invaded my arbor early Thursday night. It had a wing span of 5", with a body length of over 3". It was camouflage in coloration. I made absolutely no attempt to remove it!
I had the pleasure of watching the Iroquois Veteran's Color Guard, carry the flags, during the Grand Entry on Sunday! Quite a sight and very solemn. On a more lighter note, the sounds of the drums, even had visiting Nun's dancing in the Circle, to the beat of the Native Two Step Dance. surely a sight I'll never forget! Who knew Nun's danced?
The Kateri Shrine provided a wonderful location for this annual pow-wow. The beautifully manicured grounds and the visitor's on Pilgrimage to this Christian Mohawk Santuary just helped make this pow-wow a success, even with days and days of bad weather. Those that attended wearing Native Regalia, were besieged with requests from the tourist's for pictures! It also made a great location to make people aware of One Spirit and the plight of the Lakota people at Pine Ridge. I was really proud to represent One Spirit!
Below are some of the pictures that I took, I hope you enjoy them!
Edward Broken Feather
I got to Fonda Wednesday afternoon, with rain on the windshield, and set-up my arbor in a drizzle of rain. Thursday was cloudy with spot showers throughout the day! Friday, "Opening Day", it rained in the morning, and was cloudy, windy and raw until about 5 PM when it started to rain again. Saturday was much of the same, with the muddy areas over ankle deep! Straw was brought in and spread over the really bad mud trenches, much to everyone's relief. On Sunday, I awoke about 5:30ish. The sun was shining on the horizon and there wasn't a cloud to be seen!
Saturday, there was a contingency from France, that came through the pow-wow grounds. I was talking to a woman, who had a strange look on her face, when someone in her group said, "she's from France and doesn't understand English". When I heard that, I yelled out "Mon Ami!" and gave her a big hug! That broke the ice with the group. It got even better, when I told their interpreter about the group in France that supports One Spirit. Then, everyone wanted One Spirit's website address, for the link to the group in France. I had a ball with my really,really bad broken French Canadian, and had everyone laughing at me. Surely the highlight of my day!
I was a really big hit with the mosquito's at Fonda! I'll be scratching mosquito and spider bites for at least a week! Pictured below is a moth that invaded my arbor early Thursday night. It had a wing span of 5", with a body length of over 3". It was camouflage in coloration. I made absolutely no attempt to remove it!
I had the pleasure of watching the Iroquois Veteran's Color Guard, carry the flags, during the Grand Entry on Sunday! Quite a sight and very solemn. On a more lighter note, the sounds of the drums, even had visiting Nun's dancing in the Circle, to the beat of the Native Two Step Dance. surely a sight I'll never forget! Who knew Nun's danced?
The Kateri Shrine provided a wonderful location for this annual pow-wow. The beautifully manicured grounds and the visitor's on Pilgrimage to this Christian Mohawk Santuary just helped make this pow-wow a success, even with days and days of bad weather. Those that attended wearing Native Regalia, were besieged with requests from the tourist's for pictures! It also made a great location to make people aware of One Spirit and the plight of the Lakota people at Pine Ridge. I was really proud to represent One Spirit!
Below are some of the pictures that I took, I hope you enjoy them!
Edward Broken Feather
Monday, June 29, 2009
Kateri Pow-Wow, Fonda, NY
Hello Again!
I almost forgot to mention that this coming weekend I'll be vending at the Mohawk/Metis Pow-Wow, at the Kateri Shrine, In Fonda, NY, on the 3rd., 4th., and 5th., of July! For more information about the Kateri Shrine, please copy and paste this address into a browser, http://www.katerishrine.com/ This pow-wow will last three days and will include a annual meeting of the Metis Nation of North America and Canadian Bands!
If you're a volunteer/sponsor of One Spirit and live in the Schenectady/Fonda, NY area, do not hesitate to stop into my booth and introduce yourself. I'd love to meet you.
Edward Broken Feather
I almost forgot to mention that this coming weekend I'll be vending at the Mohawk/Metis Pow-Wow, at the Kateri Shrine, In Fonda, NY, on the 3rd., 4th., and 5th., of July! For more information about the Kateri Shrine, please copy and paste this address into a browser, http://www.katerishrine.com/ This pow-wow will last three days and will include a annual meeting of the Metis Nation of North America and Canadian Bands!
If you're a volunteer/sponsor of One Spirit and live in the Schenectady/Fonda, NY area, do not hesitate to stop into my booth and introduce yourself. I'd love to meet you.
Edward Broken Feather
Medicine Bear Pow-Wow, Rochester, NH
Hi Everyone!
This past weekend I was a vendor at Medicine Bear Pow-Wow in Rochester, NH. The third pow-wow of the new season for me as a fund raiser for One Spirit. The weather certainly wasn't perfect, but I managed to raise over $500.00. I had an expecially nice treat, when Diane Capalario and her husband visited me on Saturday, to see first hand all the stupid things I do and say to grab peoples attention, on behalf of One Spirit. Shown above is a picture of me and Diane at the pow-wow. I can't begin to explain the great joy I get raising money for One Spirit and ultimately the Oglala Lakota people. You don't have to be a Donald Trump to raise money. Such events as a yard sale, bake sale, flea market vendor, adopting a school/church/temple for fund raising, etc. The important part is realizing that every single donation, small or large is critical to the support of on going programs that One Spirit promotes. I give each person that purchases a item from me the same enthusiastic thanks, whether the sale was a dollar or twenty dollars. They need to know that they're making a real difference in the life of a Lakota person.
More on my excursions for One Spirit soon!
Edward Broken Feather
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