Moving near Pine Ridge in hopes of volunteering. (Hot Springs, Oglala: low income, health insurance)

[Jammie]

Misty, your heart is in the right place, but may I suggest that you find a family in your area who could use your help? Someone may be in desperate need of having someone come in and watch their children or an elderly parent so they can get out of the house for a few hours. There may be children in your own area who may need a mentor. You could "adopt" them and buy them Christmas gifts and spend time with them.

You've been given excellent advice and I hope you'll think this all through. There have been many others before you who feel that the people in Pine Ridge have been abandoned and if "someone" would just help them, things would be ok. After they see the situation for what it is, they're quickly discouraged.

This has actually be rehashed on the forum and it ended up becoming so heated that the thread had to be closed.

Many of us have lived in this area our entire lives so we understand the situation. You've got to know that the people here have kind hearts and if we thought for one second that by giving them a hand "up", their lives would be changed forever. Unfortunately, many of them are looking for hand out after hand out and have no intention of changing their lives. I've worked with several Sioux in my life and the outcome has always been just as is described above.

I'm sorry, but those are just the facts.

[hi ppl]

Clothes would be the best thing to send as they don't get pawned only borrowed and never returned. Contact the local boarding schools which usually have a church that run a needy nook. They distribute them to the kids in the dorms and community members as they need them like jackets, gloves, jeans, etc. There are programs with the boarding schools to receive donations and things but I don't know the contacts. Kids are sent because in most cases the parents can't handle them or home life is bad, many kids find they would rather stay at school vs. live at home, it's stable, safe, food, etc. Others go home only to roam the streets and get in trouble. Some are there because they were kickout out of local schools as a result of bad parenting. School supply donations are always welcome and greatly appreciated. Some organizations put care packages together for the kids with school supplies, personal care products, etc. which everyone welcomes. The community health nurses also take such supplies and create newborn care packets for new mothers with baby clothes, blankets, etc. and deliver them to the home, awesome. That is an idea that I know people enjoy.

[Living4Him]

First of all, I want to say that I understand what you mean by "Calling." My Husband and I are Pastor's in Oglala - (Small town 10 minutes north of Pine Ridge). He has lived on the Reservation for almost 8 years now; I just moved up about a year and a half ago (When we got married).

You are very wise to ask questions before moving up here. I can tell you that there are very few jobs out here....even with a degree it is hard to find a job in the area. Most of the jobs in the area are 'Native Preference' (Native applicants are hired before any other) and the jobs that aren't usually go to family members of employees. It is very difficult to find work when you don't know anyone.

I'm not sure what church you come from, but there is a Catholic School (Red Cloud Indian School) in the area. Chances are you won't get a staff position (they very rarely hire anyone), but you may get hired on as a government employee with the Americore program. This job does not pay well, does not offer any health insurance and is only a 2 year program (and they will work you like a slave!), but it is one of your options (and maybe your only option out here - it has been my only option so far).

You may also try to commute from one of the local towns. There are about 5 towns within 45 minutes. Alot of people commute at least 45 minutes for work.

As for the living situation....there is a very slim chance you will be able to purchase any kind of land or any house near Pine Ridge. Many in the tribe are
still without homes and many extended families cram together in a two roomed house. I know of a family living in a 2 bedroom house with 20 family members. You may find a house / apartment in a near by town in Nebraska or South Dakota (Haysprings NE, Gordon NE, Hot Springs SD, Rushville NE, Chadron NE) Be careful when applying for jobs or looking for homes in these towns. They are what we call "border towns" and they are very racist!

I hope I have answered your questions and that I have not discouraged you too much. Remember - a calling is rarely ever easy, but, if it's a true calling, God will provide for your every need! Even on the Pine Ridge Reservation There is nothing too difficult for Him

[Living4Him]

Also, I want to add - it is not a very great idea to send things here. As mentioned before, gifts are not appreciated. They are taken and ruined hours later. It is not a good idea to send money - as the money rarely ever gets to the children...people pocket it for themselves and spend it on frivolous things.

Baby clothes and diapers are an exception! Anything for babies! I would recommend sending gifts to one of the MANY local churches and allowing them to distribute them - as they have a better idea of who needs the gift the most.

Food is not the greatest idea - every church in the area hands out food boxes (mostly from the local food bank) and I believe it does more harm then good sometimes. Since many people out here get a monthly check, they will spend their check on worthless things (alcohol, drugs, that brand new television!) instead of buying their children food (KNOWING that they can walk down to the local church and grab a food box whenever)! (This is not all the people, but it is a majority mentality)

The only thing that will change the lives of these people is prayer! and a miracle! Giving and giving to them is only going to feed the problem!

[Dan Castello]

Wow, it almost sounds like a hopeless situation there. Is there any comprehensive list of churches and non-denominational NGOs that provide services and distribute aid?

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by Dan Castello

Wow, it almost sounds like a hopeless situation there. Is there any comprehensive list of churches and non-denominational NGOs that provide services and distribute aid?

Churches across the state generally give a collection at least one Sunday a year for the Pine Ridge Rez. I'm not sure how it's channeled there, but I know our church does. The government is also very generous and instead of providing employment there, the handouts keep the people from wanting to be self sufficient. But then there's the work ethic and that's a whole other topic.

[Living4Him]

There are quite a few churches out here and they do what they can. As for a comprehensive list of churches and non-denominational NGO's (not quite sure what NGO means) I know of no such list...My husband and I live/work at the ReCreation and Worship Center - which is one of the many churches in the area. I will see about maybe getting a list together for you.

[Jammie]

I'd just like to add this as a side note~since there are others interested in this subject, we can continue this thread. But I'd like to add that the original poste has never returned to receive the info that's given here.

[Living4Him]

Here is a list of the churches. I believe they are all still running - some churches only run about 1 sunday a month, where as others run less and many have closed down for good in the past. I will asterik (*) the ones that I know provide services and relief to the community (not to say that the ones not marked don't do anything, I just not aware of what they do)

Christ the King Church – Catholic

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Lakota Baptist Church

Lakota Memorial Church of the Nazarene

Lutheran-Presbyterian Retreat Center

Makasan Presbyterian Church * (Holds regular services, hands out food boxes, and provides relief)

Our Lady of the Sioux Catholic Church * (Holds regular services, provides relief)

Pine Ridge Episcopal Mission

Pine Ridge Gospel Fellowship

Sacred Heart - Catholic

Oyate Concern Ministries * (Holds regular services for the children and teens of the area, provides food boxes and relief)

Oglala ReCreation and Worship Center – Assemblies of God * (Holds regular services; Doubles as a recreation center to provide a safe place for the children in the area to play during the week, hands out food boxes, provides relief)

As Jamie said, many churches statewide AND nationwide send money and donations to the Pine Ridge Reservation...mostly through one of the organizations listed above. And many people come and volunteer their time with these churches and the local schools. The help is there....and the reservation is changing - its all just very slight.

[Dan Castello]

Originally Posted by Living4Him

There are quite a few churches out here and they do what they can. As for a comprehensive list of churches and non-denominational NGO's (not quite sure what NGO means) I know of no such list...My husband and I live/work at the ReCreation and Worship Center - which is one of the many churches in the area. I will see about maybe getting a list together for you in the next couple of days.

NGO - Non-Governmental Organization