THANK YOU - PILAMAYA!

Before we look ahead to plans for the coming year, let's take time to look back on what we and the Lakota People were able to do last year. In addition to the program list below, we:

• were the first "on the ground" with urgently needed supplies when the blizzard hit in November;
• supplied a new pump, installed by the Lakota men, to give a grandmother and her grandchildren water in their home;
• are purchasing new wood stoves for elders;
• helped meet urgent needs of families and elders throughout the year

These and the accomplishments of the programs happened because of the involvement of each of you who gave monetary donations, sponsored a child or elder, participated in the Okini program, bought food through Project SHARE, gave of your time and expertise or publicized the story of the Lakota and their efforts to care for their people.

We are grateful for your help and proud of what we have done together.

HEAT

"....most of all the best accomplishment can not be
measured by money alone. The men will have made
a stand for their community and in a place where
there are almost no chances of making a living these
men will earn a few dollars for their families in a good
way."

John DuBray, describing the wood program.

• Men on the reservation cut, split and delivered wood to over 100 families and elders throughout the winter.
• The Lakota people delivered wood, blankets, lanterns, food, and other emergency supplies during the November blizzard.
• 1000 families and elders received room heaters top rated for effectiveness, efficiency, and safety.

FOOD

"Last month's Share was so welcome and so helpful. Thank you."

Monthly food deliveries feeding over 1000 people reached an annual value of more than $100,000.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

An Auntie caring for 4 of her nieces and nephews:

"During the week of December 22nd through December 29th, 2008, our family had the awesome experience of participating in the Si Tanka Wookiksuye. My nephew, Cyrus participated in the ride and we supported him throughout the ride in hopes that things will begin to change for him.

He has experienced a lot in his thirteen years and our prayers as well as his were to not only pray for all our relatives but to pray for him as well. As many people know, alcoholism, drugs, social problems from these issues are rampant across the reservation. The problems associated with a mother who drinks while pregnant has a lifetime effect on a child. It has been my experience to try to deal with these effects and it has been a real struggle. It makes me wonder just how many of our sacred children across the reservation are experiencing these effects and who is helping them if even they are getting help.

Cyrus loves riding horses and had a great experience while on the Big Foot Ride. He said he was anxious everyday to ride and to feel free. He met a lot of different people and had a chance see the "world" in a new perspective.

I strongly believe that equine therapy will be a new avenue of seeking help he so desperately needs. The belief of our people is that we are one with the winged, the four legged, the plants and so it is with this in mind that I want for Cyrus as well as other children throughout the reservation to be able to experience this oneness.

It is my prayer that children throughout the reservation get help for issues they are dealing with and go back to our traditional ways of life.

My prayers to friends and relatives, near and far."

SPONSORSHIP

Over the past couple of years, more than 700 people have sponsored children and elders on Pine Ridge Reservation for varying lengths of time. As the national and world economies have faltered, many found traditional sponsorship financially difficult. In 2008, the numbers of children and elders waiting for sponsors rose to more than 1100.

The new service supervisor, Regina Hay, and the Area Service Coordinators, are developing a variety of ways that people can "sponsor" a child, elder or family - ways that are responsive to the needs of both the families and the sponsor. We will shortly be sending out information on the many ways that individuals and groups can participate in the sponsorship program and also develop a friendship with Lakota elders and families.

The Lakota children, elders and families are thankful to the people who have helped through the sponsorship program. During our evaluation of the program, they spoke enthusiastically about the friendships they had developed, the help they receive and the wonderful feeling of knowing that people care about them.

OKINI

"Everything I received has been clean and of good quality especially the shoes. I would like to say Thank You to all the people who help us. Its nice to know that people think about us."

The Okini program has proven invaluable in its ability to meet urgent needs of Lakota families. The recent evaluation of the program showed that needs posted with Okini were met quickly and both clothing and household items were judged by the families as being of superb quality.

As this program expands and picks up speed, the new manager, Shelly Powers, ably assisted by Lorna Fletcher, is developing the program to be even more efficient and responsive. They will be working with Rosalie Janis and her daughters on the reservation to quickly distribute items where needed.

We will be sending out more information on the evolution of this program.

We thank you for your dedication and commitment.

The ONE Spirit Staff