http://freepeltiernow.blogspot.com/2009/12/american-indians-suffer-from-brutal.html
Rumor has it that theTribal Government of the Oglala Sioux Tribe is unable (for lack of fuel) to dig out tribal residents in rural areas. Hundreds of families and elders are without propane and of course, no monies for that either. Propane deliveries are impossible for those who have a way to pay because the roads are impassable.
This is nothing new for the poorest living on the Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Cheyenne River, Crow Creek, and Standing Rock Reservations in South Dakota. The struggle for the poor among the haves is a continual and ignored condition of disparity. Those that have jobs among the 10-20% employed also have minimal problems compared to the poor among them who struggle to stay warm and have enough food to eat.
The likelihood of a rich casino tribe such as the Shakopee or Seminole among others coming to the rescue of poor American Indians is not going to happen either. Example? I just had the multi-million dollar giveaway to disconnected from the Grass Roots Poor Shakopee Tribe rejected a request from my charity for 20 infrared heaters that would have kept 20 Oglala Sioux Tribe families warm and electric bills cut on half.
Why? Say the color of my skin. I am a Caucasian who runs a charity struggling to help the poor which amounts to about 80-90% of the populations on Indian Reservations in North and South Dakota. Most of the benefactors of the millions from casino tribes do not have any programs that provide help in emergency times caused by brutal winters. Few if any contribute to economic development programs either. And if help is given, it does not always get to those in need.
And for the Obama worshippers in Indian Country thinking he will take a break from his golf game in Hawaii, don't hold your breath. The likelihood of any federal help coming to the families in need of wood, food, and propane is dependent upon the State of South Dakota making this emergency condition acknowledged officially. With elections coming up next year, being "pro-Indian" could cost you valuable votes.
From my own personal experience, living in South Dakota for almost a year as well as on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation also, I have come to realize South Dakota has embedded in it’s psyche a deeply rooted dark diabolical hate for American Indians. Given my Jewish background on my grandfathers side, I see the same parallel spiritual traits of "the only good Indian (Jew) is a dead one" alive in well in the profiling by local media of Indians to the KKK-Nazi comments found in the comment sections connected to articles about American Indians in the Rapid City Journal. What this means is that American Indians on Pine Ridge and elsewhere who are without propane and food etc. will continue to be ignored in the name and tradition of George Custer’s 7th Calvary. And this includes the enclave of “saved” Christians scattered in the Black Hills and elsewhere in the Dakotas who go to church on Sunday's and thank God for the blessings of life.
As for the Salvation Army or Red Cross helping? I do know that the Salvation Army is close to meeting their fundraising goal of over $200,000.00. I also firmly believe NONE of that money will be used to help those without food and propane on Indian Reservations in South Dakota. This organization is in the process of squandering a 1.5 billion dollar donation from the heir of Mc Donalds in the building of unnecessary structures that are functionally disconnected from helping the poor in America let alone American Indians. I have yet to see any positive impact of this charity on a Indian Reservation in the Dakotas or elsewhere.
If there is help offered for those in need in a crisis situation, then there is the problem of the documented tradition of covert nepotistic corruption within Tribal Governments which siphons and steals that which is given. One such example is found on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation where a Caucasian out of state health care organization working with the Porcupine Health Clinic and which provides health checks to tribal members sent in a truckload of supplies for the residents of the Kyle-Porcupine area. It seems that those items were hijacked and were not used as intended. In fact, monies sent in from the outside such as France, mysteriously disappear instead of being used for needs at this clinic.
So if one wants to help and at the same time want documented assurance that their help will go to those in need, what is the verifiable option?
This is where Operation Morning Star comes in. They do not “receive monies” as all other charities do and then you wonder if they will be used as you intended when you sent them. With them, monies sent are directed to the provider of the need being met in the name of the family or elder such as the food store or utility company. Operation Morning Star connects you direct with elders and families who need help and also gives you their contact numbers as well as for those working within the food and utility companies. This is how you have proof that your monies are used as intended.
If you desire to help and send in supplies as a corporation or business etc, you also have the option of making arrangements for a rental truck (or you can donate a 26’ straight truck) to be loaded and brought in and we will both provide a driver and coordinate the “give away” to those in need. Operation Morning Star works hands on with the “grass roots poor” and in their history of 15 years of working among Lakota/Dakota peoples, they have identified those who are unselfish and care about their own people in the Lakota/Dakota spiritual tradition of love for one another.
Needed are chain saws, axes, wood burning stoves with install kits, good working 4x4 trucks (title is signed over to family, not Operation Morning Star, tons of food in the form of beans and rice, flour, cooking oil etc., toilet paper, soap, shampoo, working appliances, washers and dryers, women’s sanitary items, diapers, pampers, and wipes as well as formula for babies.
To make arrangements to help, please call 816-352-7999 or email at operationmorningstar@gmail.com. More information about Operation Morning Star programs and projects can be found on their web page. http://www.operationmorningstar.org.
Richard Boyden is Founder of Operation Morning Star. He also ministers in the area of suicide among American Indian youth and is a part time writer and journalist.
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