Cost of food on The Pine Ridge Reservation? (Aberdeen: to rent, theater)

[KatherineM]

I would like to provide fresh food the the Lakota people. I have never been to the state however and I was wondering if some of the local residents could help me out with a few questions here.

1. How cheap is it to rent land for farming usage? I am an organic grower and I don't use chemicals of any kind. I only produce fruits and vegetables. No animal products.

2. What is the cost of various fresh fruits and vegetables on the reservation?

3. What is the availability of fresh foods and vegetables on the reservation?

4. In your opinion would the local people be interested in a food co-op? Would they be interested in a flea market or other such place (please explain)?

5. In your opinion would the local people be interested in an open air theater?

Thank you for your time!

[ElkHunter]

Just out of curiousity, why would you want to do something like that?

Your best bet is to contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) with those questions.

You can call or write to them at:

Great Plains Regional Office
115 4th Avenue Southeast
Aberdeen, SD 57401

Telephone: (605) 226-7343
Telefax: (605) 226-7446

[KatherineM]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

Just out of curiousity, why would you want to do something like that?

While on a recent vacation I witnessed the poverty of the Navajo reservation first hand. I wondered as to the state of other reservations and as I learned about the situation on Pine Ridge I feel compelled to help in anyway that I can.

My great great grandfather was kidnapped from an indian reservation when he was very young. I have never been able to trace his ancestry but he knows that he was Lakota.

[KatherineM]

Please don't get me started on the BIA. While some good things have been accomplished there are many terrible things that are done or worse yet complete inaction.

[ElkHunter]

Well, this has been discussed many times in the South Dakota forum.

There's not much I can tell you if you don't want to go through the BIA and no, this forum is not the place to vent about experiences with the BIA.

Here are some threads where people have discussed this before.

How to help Pine Ridge Reservation

Can you recommend a good Christian ministry on the Pine Ridge Rez?

Would like to visit Pine Ridge Reservation. Worthwhile?

[kbat]

Your best bet is to contact Jeri Baker at One Spirit. One Spirit

Elders and community leaders tell her what they need, and One Spirit tries to make it happen. They also--perhaps even more importantly--tell her what they don't want. It's no good spending money and effort on a project that the people don't want or won't utilize. Even when you have something they do need and want, if you unintentionally offend people (very easy to do when you aren't intimately familiar with the culture) your help won't be accepted. Unfortunately a lot of well-meaning people do just that.

[KatherineM]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

Well, this has been discussed many times in the South Dakota forum.

There's not much I can tell you if you don't want to go through the BIA and no, this forum is not the place to vent about experiences with the BIA.

Here are some threads where people have discussed this before.

How to help Pine Ridge Reservation

Can you recommend a good Christian ministry on the Pine Ridge Rez?

Would like to visit Pine Ridge Reservation. Worthwhile?

I don't mind working with the BIA in this instance. I just don't want anything to do with them when it comes to money or making sure that the goods get to those that need them.

I am more than willing to work with those I don't like for the common good.

[KatherineM]

Originally Posted by kbat

Your best bet is to contact Jeri Baker at One Spirit. One Spirit

Elders and community leaders tell her what they need, and One Spirit tries to make it happen. They also--perhaps even more importantly--tell her what they don't want. It's no good spending money and effort on a project that the people don't want or won't utilize. Even when you have something they do need and want, if you unintentionally offend people (very easy to do when you aren't intimately familiar with the culture) your help won't be accepted. Unfortunately a lot of well-meaning people do just that.

One Spirit seems like a great organization.

I will get in touch with them and find out about the kinds of things that the elders are looking for.

Better to find that out then to waste time and resources.