Many on South Dakota Reservation Remain Without Power After Storm
By EMMA GRAVES FITZSIMMONS Published: January 31, 2010 The New York Times
Many homes on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota have been without power for more than a week because of an ice storm that knocked down utility lines and damaged the water system.
Tribal officials are hoping for a federal disaster declaration.
Crews have restored electricity to most communities on the sprawling reservation, but about1,500 homes in outlying areas are without power and could be for weeks, tribal officials said. As they worked to distribute blankets and food to those in need, tribal officials said they were grateful that the outcome of the storm, which struck on Jan. 21, was not worse.
"I'm just so thankful that none of the people living on this reservation died," said Joseph Brings Plenty, the chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
Tribal officials estimate that the storm brought down about 3,000 utility poles, causing extensive failures. Many residents stayed in their homes as they lost water and power and as temperatures plummeted, with windchills reaching 20 degrees below zero.
"Nobody had electricity,"Mr. Brings Plenty said. "We used the stove to try to keep the house warm. You could still see your breath, though. We were dressed up like we were outside just to stay warm."
At least 39 elderly residents who receive dialysis treatment were evacuated to nearby towns the day after the storm, tribal officials said. Power and water began to be restored a few days ago to homes in the city of Eagle Butte, the tribal headquarters.
About 10,000 people live on the 1.4-million-acre reservation, which is about 50 miles northwest of the state capital, Pierre. The reservation, which takes up most of two counties, is very poor, with 50 percent of the population living below the poverty level in Ziebach County and 34 percent under the poverty level in DeweyCounty, according to the 2000 census.
The tribe's emergency fund was depleted by another major storm in December, tribal leaders said, and they are struggling to pay for the response to the latest one. The tribe has received donations and supplies from across the country, Mr. Brings Plenty said, but needs more help.
Tribal leaders have used the Internet to spread awareness of the damage from the storm, sending out e-mail messages and posting updates to their Website. A Facebook group dedicated to disaster relief for the tribe had 125 members on Sunday.
Tribal leaders are asking for federal aid and said they hoped for a federal disaster declaration. Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are planning to visit the reservation on Monday to assess the damage, Mr. Brings Plenty said.
"Life is slowly getting back to what we knew before this, but our members on the east side, they're still dealing with it," he said. "They're still trying to stay warm and to find clean water to drink."
On Saturday, January 30th a rented Penske truck out of Reading, PA made a brief stop in the parking lot of Meijers on North Main Street in Englewood, OH. With the urgency of the situation happening out on Cheyenne River the truck stopped long enough to load much needed supplies and continue on. As updates continue to come out of Eagle Butte the situation continues and the crisis is not over yet.
With the urgency of the last outreach and the generosity of people it has become apparent as donated items continue, the need to send out another load. Bill Boswell has offered to drive out with a 16 ft. box trailer. He will be going to Eagle Butte and continuing on up to Standing Rock as well. To allow time so each can have an opportunity to contribute he is planning on leaving February, 17, 2010.
All donations and contributions can be coordinated with Bill Boswell directly by calling him at (513) 702-4064. Monetary Contributions to cover traveling expenses out and back would be greatly appreciated.
From: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) 2010 Disaster Relief Subject: PressRelease_Jan31 Date: Monday, February 1, 2010, 2:51 AM Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) 2010 Disaster Relief Bulletin
Posted by Natalie Stites
PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX TRIBE CONTINUES TO ACCEPT DONATIONS OF FUNDS AND SUPPLIES TO ADDRESS THE DISASTER CRISIS
Eagle Butte, South Dakota (January 31, 2010) – The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe declared a state of emergency in central South Dakota, an Indian reservation approximately the size of Connecticut with nearly 15,000 residents. The Tribe awaits a Presidential disaster declaration.
Thus far, the Tribe has graciously accepted help from Indian Country and beyond, including Wal-Mart, Inc., the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, the Santee Sioux Tribe, Hawkwing, Inc., Joseph Kennedy II and CITGO, American Indian Relief Council, National Indian Gaming Association and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. More help and assistance is still needed.
The ice storm of January 21, 2010, followed by a blizzard and bitterly cold temperatures, resulted in reservation-wide power and water outages. Our water and utility companies remain diligently at work restoring essential services to the Reservation, however, several elderly, ranching and rural communities remain without power or water. Supplies are needed to help get these communities through the winter, and donations are needed to address the costs of the immediate crisis, response and recovery.
The official donations to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe can be made as follows:
• WEB: https://secure.piryx.com/donate/0oFFsK8c/Cheyenn-River-Sioux-Tribe/ • MAIL: Benita Clark, Tribal Treasurer, P.O. Box 590, Eagle Butte, SD 57625, make checks payable to the "Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe CRST 2010 Disaster." • WIRE: United Bkrs Bloomington ABA# 091 001 322; Beneficiary Bank or Beneficiary: Account# 250 3373, State Bank of Eagle Butte; Beneficiary of Final Credit: Account Holder@UBB Customers Bank; Account Holder: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe CRST 2010 Disaster, Routing #: 091409351, Account #: 103173.
The purpose of this email is to inform you about an upcoming fundraiser to help finance the sixth annual Spring Break-Out Trip to Standing Rock Reservation and surrounding communities. This fundraiser and trip is co-sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega, Circle of Light, and Two Trees, Inc. If you might be interested in making the trip, contact me and I will send you more information.
Spring Trip Fundraiser
All the spaghetti, chili, frybread, and dessert you can eat plus a silent auction, raffles, and entertainment for $5.
Donations of items for the dinner, auction, or raffle are greatly appreciated and tax deductible .
Fri . Feb. 12 at 6 - 9 pm UD McGinnis Center 301 Lowes St. Dayton , OH 45469
If you can't find parking close to the building, park in the C Lot and call for a shuttle to pick you up - Mary Horwath at 937- 681- 7297 or Will Blakely at 703 - 475 - 3579.
Spring Break Trip 2010
The trip to SD this year by UD Alpha Phi Omega students and non-student supporters will be May 12 - 22. This trip is normally made during the Mar/April Spring Break but the 2010 Break was scheduled too early this year to make driving safe. On a positive note, that means warmer weather for both service projects and cultural immersion activities.
Last year eighteen students and nine supporting adults provided GED tutoring; cleaned and organized the Sitting Bull Day School Library that was damaged by flooding; held a public community meeting about the next phase of the Little Eagle Community Center project; participated in the signing of contracts for soil testing and construction; did radio interviews; and continued to learn about the Lakota culture through community feeds and give-aways, youth events, and Elder teaching activities.
For more information on the dinner, donations, or the Spring Break Out Trip contact:
(Admission is $5.00 for Adults and $3.00 for Children)
When: Saturday, February 21, 2009. Doors open at 10:00 a.m.; Dancing starts at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Sunday, February 22, 2009. Doors open at 10:00 a.m.; Dancing starts at 1:00 p.m.
The Native American Indian Gathering (also known as the Native American Powwow) will feature Indians dancing in full regalia! The programs bring Native American educators, scholars, Tribal members, and dancers from all over the United States and Canada into the local community to provide a "hands on" experience with the Native ways and culture. The public is invited to this family-oriented and educational event with Native food, arts & crafts and entertainment.
