When you're up to your tail in alligators .....
…it’s hard to remember you set out to drain the swamp.
In this case, the “swamp” created by one of the harshest winters on Pine Ridge (the Rez) has had the Lakota people and One Spirit personnel working overtime to try and help the increasingly desperate numbers of Lakota cope with food shortages (not helped by the government shutdown), the need for more firewood, and even basic things like clean drinking water and warm clothing.
Another Blizzard in the Forecast
Unbelievably, another blizzard is in the forecast for this week and is expected to bring over 20 inches of snow and winds over 50 miles an hour. Conditions have not returned to normal from the previous blizzard.
The urgent situation continues on Pine Ridge
A huge shout out to all One Spirit supporters who have made it possible for us to order thousands of pounds of food to distribute to homes all over the Reservation. Emergency Services this morning advised that they are still sending food and water out on horseback and are utilizing ATVs to get to homes all over the Reservation. They also advised that another water pipe about a mile long had broken and affected communities were again without water.
One Spirit will continue to work with Emergency Services as long as we are needed to ensure that homes have the food and water they need. As names come in, we are delivering. The family of 8 in Allen, the seriously ill mother in Pine Ridge, the homes in Manderson and Kyle, and families all over the Reservation.
We are humbly grateful that you have stood with us and with the Lakota. We ask that you continue with us until this disaster is resolved.
In a little over two weeks, we will be delivering Easter food and we sincerely hope that the Lakota will be able by that time to cook again and to enjoy Easter traditions. Hopefully, we will be distributing hams to be a centerpiece for their Easter dinner.
We welcome Spring as it brings renewal to the earth and to all of us. Thank you to each and every one of you.
Jeri Baker
Director, One Spirit
Emergency on the Reservation
Most of you are aware of the dire situation on Pine Ridge Reservation and have seen the photos and read the news reports. In view of the situation there, we are working with the Tribal Emergency Management Services to purchase food and water for them to distribute. Right now, much distribution is being done by horseback and boat. In addition to the flooding, a water main was compromised and 8000 people are reported to be without water. All people on the Reservation are being advised to boil water, if they have any coming into their house.
Photo: Kristina Barker for The New York Times : https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/24/us/midwest-flooding-pine-ridge.html