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

[mistystarla]

I am sorry I have not been back on here. This is still something that is a huge part of my heart but I have had some family situations come to me that I have had to take care of. My heart breaks daily for Pine Ridge, I ache to be there but I have to live my life right now.

I still want to go there today!!!!




I will be back. Again, sorry I haven't been on here in a while.

Life gets in the way...you know?

[imbobbbb]

well.....not to be critical....but since you live in alabama,which has the 8th highest poverty rate in the united states perhaps you ought to try helping some people closer to home.your neighboring state ,mississipi has the highest poverty rate in the country and it would seem to me you could likely do more good in an area you are already familiar with and dealing with people that are a little closer to you culturally then coming blindly to south dakota regardless of how well intentioned you are.goodluck regardless

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by imbobbbb

well.....not to be critical....but since you live in alabama,which has the 8th highest poverty rate in the united states perhaps you ought to try helping some people closer to home.your neighboring state ,mississipi has the highest poverty rate in the country and it would seem to me you could likely do more good in an area you are already familiar with and dealing with people that are a little closer to you culturally then coming blindly to south dakota regardless of how well intentioned you are.goodluck regardless

That is such an excellent suggestion.

[pejuta]

good comments all. i have some indian on both sides my family (not sioux) . i moved to rapid city about 4 yrs ago,lived there about 2 years,now in spearfish about 2 years. i have always helped people. one good place to start is eat at cornerstone rescue mission. if you have little or no money,they have limited shelter space some for women. they also have other services.there is low income housing,also monthly motels (winter is less business so cheaper) not all subsidized housing under HUD. i am called grandma by some sioux, sister and cuz by others. if you dont mind what kind of work you get,you can usually find something. good city bus service. if you will contact me personally( i dont get much time on library computer) i will give you as much info as you want and help you learn things you need to know if you move. i get hugs from friends in rapid,(all races) so go there now about once a mth. by bus. and since i am low income i eat lunch with my friends at the rescue mission. love it! Moderator cut: Please use DM

[Jammie]

Just an FYI~in the upper right hand corner of the forum where it says, "Welcome and your name"~underneath is a "Direct Messages" spot. Click on the link to read DMs.

To get in personal contact with someone~just click on their name and a box will drop down with a DM option. If you click on that, you can then send them a private message. It's SO much safer then personal addys on here.

[pejuta]

about the homeless,many homeless have places to live,but prefer to live outdoors or at shelters. some have no place but CHOOSE to be homeless. i have been told this by a number of homeless people.

[Tzaphkiel]

If you feel an inner drive to go someplace then it is happening for a reason. I picked up and moved 1000 miles away to a state I had never been to before, with about 6 weeks money, based on nothing more than a strong urge that would not let me alone. And a willingness to trust my intuition. And a strong desire not to spend the rest of my life wondering "what if" if I ignored that inner drive.

That said, be realistic about things like money and how you are going to live and support yourself. Have a back up plan, even if it is $200 set aside for a bus ticket to a city where you know you can get work while you plan what to do next.

Don't expect things to turn out a certain way, because you won't know until you get there what will happen. Your higher self knows exactly what carrot to dangle in front of you to get you where you NEED TO BE. But you don't get to know ahead of time what will happen or why you are gonig.

If you have a dream that will not leave you alone, then it is ALWAYS worth exploring, and ALWAYS very meaningful. If you have the willingness to adventure into the unknown you are always amply rewarded.

I have not regretted a single moment. If I had not gone, my life would have been poorer in so many ways. It helps to be honest about your motives too. Going to "help the poor Indians" may not be well received or turn out the way you think or expect, but guaranteed you will find something in your travels, in your experience, in your time there that will change your life forever, and that is ALWAYS A GOOD THING.

P.S. I am not a bored rich kid or drop out from life or anything. I was a 45-year-old mother of 3 with a college degree who reached a point where following my own dreams was the most important thing for me, so that's what I've been doing. It takes a willingness to live with the unkown and embrace all life has to offer.

[Butterfly777]

Originally Posted by 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

I'm comming from Michigan soon to Pine Ridge for a visit!!! I will be going to a service at your Church.

[Badland wonder]

Everyone has spoken well and truthfully. Heed their advice.

[delusianne]

I just read through all the posts here as I too am interested in Pine Ridge. I first became aware of it during the AIM days, then got reacquainted via On the Rez, In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, etc. The story of Pine Ridge in its desolate setting appealed to the romantic in me, reading about it in my comfortable home far away.

A way to "connect" with Pine Ridge and the Oglala Sioux as well as satisfy your own yearning might be to use your talents in a roundabout way. Write, paint, draw, photograph...make a film....these ways could also indirectly help the people of Pine Ridge. Just a thought.

Want inspiration? Here's the unabridged SuAnne section from On the Rez, at The Atlantic Monthly. Warning - you WILL find yourself crying helplessly several times, have Kleenex nearby.
On the Rez - 99.12 (Part Four)