

Six inch diameter ice from power line explains devastating power outages.

Photo provided by Brenda Kleinjan, Diector of Communications and Member Relations/Editor for South Dakota Rural Electric Association

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More background and details are in the following diaries along with the comments helping us resource future diaries. Many thanks to the new volunteers to help us and the Kossacks who donated.



January 29th,Friday's diaries:

Chris Rodda's originating diary Emergency Help Desperately Needed to Heat Homes on the Pine Ridge Reservation and mine a repost of the original.



February 1st, Yesterday's diary:

Emergency: Ice Storms Devastate Pine Ridge Reservation and Others

There are nine reservations In South Dakota. News reports are covering only two reservations, Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River.



Full size photo and courtesy of South Dakota Office of Tribal Government Relations

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Rosebud Reservation

UPDATE FROM Kossack CARTER CAMP! Donations here help homes get their power turned back on since yesterday was cutoff day! Please see Carter's heart breaking comment from last night at the bottom of the Rosebud section. Navajo, here's a Rosebud company... I spoke with a local company owner who agreed to take credit cards for propane delivery. She's also a local resident and one of the only native owned propane companies. Here it is;

St. Francis Energy Co. 605-747-2542. Patsy Valandra said she and her daughter Sherry will be answering the phone and she'll be working with community leaders to identify families in need and particularly those who need help but are ineligible for LIHEAP. by cacamp on Wed Feb 03, 2010 at 07:28:20 AM PST

From KentuckyKat and boadicea:

I am trying to see if LIHEAP can set up a paypal account that we can use to donate. We will continue to use Cherry Todd Electric of Mission, South Dakota (605)856-4416 Tell them to direct your donation to LIHEAP.

Ask for Samantha. URGENT! Yesterday was disconnection day, some families had their power cut your donation today will help a family get their power turned back on. Credit Cards ok. Country Pride also does not want to participate. They turned away 4 donations yesterday. Lacreek Electric will not be participating in the donation program. If you can only donate by check which will be used for future propane deliveries and other necessities send a ck to: LIHEAP, attn Eileen.

P.O. Box 430

Rosebud, SD 57570 Cks payable to:RFT (Rosebud Free Tribe) LIHEAP



From SarahLee:

Clothing: White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc

291 N. Main

P.O. Box 227

Mission, SD 57555

605-856-2317

Paypal link at our outdated website: www.wbcws.org The tribal chairman's office can also accept donations of money or clothes. At this time they do not have a way to accept credit card donations. Monetary donations can include a note specifying how you would like the funds used. Clothing is passed out to those who come into the offices in need or through the tribal social services office. RST President's Office

P.O. Box 430

Rosebud, SD 57570



REPORT FROM THE GROUND FROM CARTER CAMP:

I think this comment should be highlighted.

From Rosebud Rez Today I spent the afternoon sitting in the IHS waiting to get some meds filled. As I talked to different Indian friends and told them how it has been impossible for our kossack friends here to donate to the electric companies on Rosebud none were surprised but all were angry and disappointed. Today is cutoff day, the day when those who are behind in their bill to have their power cut off. And on a horrible day like this, one dreaded by all of us, the damn electric companies would rather cut off the power than help you all donate your help. It's beyond maddening for me. It would have been simple for them to take your cards and compile their own list of those they were about to shut off. But they couldn't be bothered. Tonight the temperature will go down to about 8* and I can't help but wonder what those who were cut off today will do for heat. But they're Lakota and tough as hell so they'll find a way to survive once more. At the same time I blame myself for not doing more ground work and compiling a list of names myself. At first I didn't think it would be necessary and then my health and other things kept me away. Hell I could have just walked around my neighborhood and found many who need all the help they can get. And if there's a next time I sure as hell will. In closing I want to once again say "Pilamaye" (thank you) to all of you kossacks who opened your hearts to my people during this bad time. You have touched my heart deeply. I know those on Pine Ridge you helped are greatful also. I have children and grandkids over on Pine Ridge and maybe some of your help went to them or their relatives. And up on Cheyenne River where the disaster is the worst I know every dime you guys sent was desperately needed by very needy people and those people felt good when some unexpected assistance showed up. I know younger Sister Navajo and Chris had good help from several other kossacks who took time out of their lives to do this for us... Pilamaye-yo my friends, I appreciate each of you and I see your good hearts. Carter by cacamp on Tue Feb 02, 2010 at 08:36:29 PM PST

Carter found a Native owned company to help this morning and I've bumped them to the top of the list.

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Pine Ridge Reservation

Power:

Call the Lakota Plains Propane Company at 605-867-5199 or 605-455-1188. (Minimum of $120 buys one week of propane) Credit Cards ok!

Call Lacreek Electric Company at 800-655-9324 or 605-658-6581.

Food:

There are three different food stores that will accept credit cards by phone. To help a family in need of food, call Autumn directly at 605-407-8487, and she will match you with a family and let you know which food store to call to put money on account in their name.

Clothing Donation:

(Clothing must be clean or it will be thrown away!)

Lakota Oyate Wakanyeja Owicakiyape

East Highway 18

IHS Compound, Box 604

Pine Ridge, SD 57770.

See changingwinds.org for addresses of other agencies participating in the Winter Warmth Drive for the people of Pine Ridge.

Special thanks to Autumn Two Bulls who has been our contact from Pine Ridge. Autumn is completely a first responder volunteer, she is not getting paid nor profiting from this effort. She knows her people well and has driven all over this vast reservation which is half the size of Connecticut to check on families in need and collect their names for the power companies. She is currently working on plans to bring solar energy to the Pine Ridge Reservation, and also the construction this summer of an entirely green homeless shelter -- projects that, when completed, will serve as a model for other reservations.

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CHEYENNE RIVER RESERVATION

Here is a large excerpt from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe's disaster declaration:

Experts estimate it may be as long as a month before

all areas have electricity restored. Donations Needed: MEDICAL NEEDS: Dialysis Patients/Glucose Strips/Financial

Support for Hotels * The dialysis patients have all been evacuated three

hours away to Rapid City, SD.

They are staying in hotels for at least a week and half,

probably longer.

The Tribe is looking into reimbursement sources from CMS

and IHS, but in the interim financial contributions are

needed to help the families pay for their hotel expenses

and food.

An account has been set up at Wells Fargo to help with

these expenses.

You can contribute at any Wells Fargo or send to the Rapid City branch. CONTRIBUTIONS:

Wells Fargo

Cheyenne Dialysis Patients (c/o Dew Bad Warrior)

Acct. #: 5815904338

1615 N 7th St.

Rapid City, SD 55701 * Medical Items Need on the Reservation itself (shipping address

below): * Glucose Strips * First Aid Kits * Children's Tylenol * Children's Cough Syrup NEEDED SUPPLIES:

Please forward to any

companies that manufacture these items that may

be of assistance. * CONTRIBUTIONS: Can be made directly to the Tribe's

emergency fund listed below. * IN KIND: Or if you prefer to make in-kind donations: * Non-perishable food * Cots * Heat sources (heaters & fuel) * Camp stoves & fuel * Light sources: * Lithium 1, 2 and 3 batteries for law enforcement * Lamps/Batteries/Lamp Oil * Toiletries * Toilet paper * Paper products for the shelters * Pampers/formula * Hand/baby wipes/Hand sanitizer FINANCIAL DONATIONS:

The Tribe has depleted its emergency budget with

the two blizzards that already hit the reservation since December.

It needs funds to help buy food and supplies for the community

and volunteers, to pay for gas and overtime for the workers,

to replace the motor at the water pump station that was

destroyed, etc.

Any financial donations are much appreciated.

The Tribe is also trying to set up on-line donations but

that may take some time. THEY'VE DONE IT! Donate ONLINE to Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe WIRE DONATIONS TO:

Cheyenne River Sioux 2010 Disaster Account

Direct to: United Bkrs Bloomington ABA # 091 001 322

Beneficiary Bank: Account Number 250 3373

State Bank of Eagle Butte

Eagle Butte, SD 57625

Final Credit: Account Holder @ UBB Customers Bank

Account Holder: CRST 2010 Disaster, Account Number 103173 MAIL CHECK DONATIONS TO:

TO: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe/2010 Disaster Account

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman's Office

Attn: Ice Storm Emergency Fund

PO Box 590

2001 Main Street (Tribal Offices)

Eagle Butte, SD 57625 SHIP SUPPLIES TO:

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman's Office

Attn: Ice Storm Emergency Supplies

PO Box 590

2001 Main Street (Tribal Offices)

Eagle Butte, SD 57625 CHEYNNNE RIVER SIOUX CONTACTS:

Robin Le Beau, Chairman's Assistant c (610) 568-2101

Joe Brings Plenty, Tribal Chairman c (605) 365-6548

CRST Emergency Coordination Center (605) 964-7711 (7712)

CRST 2010 Disaster Relief Press Release, Background, Assessment and Public Service Announcement for local residents.

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Umbrella Groups

You can double your donation and use a credit card. The (Archibald & Edyth) Bush Foundation is matching gifts to relieve suffering on SD Indian reservations following an ice storm that will leave many without heat, electricity and food for weeks. The Foundation will give up to $25,000 in 1 for 1 matching dollars. The Minneapolis based foundation announced today that it will match gifts to Native Americans in Philanthropy which has created a special fund to assist the Cheyenne River Tribe of the Lakota Nation. (You can donate here and $3,766 (yesterday)$7,866 (at noon PST before this diary) four hours later $8,781 Tues. a.m. $11,200 raised to date, could be a DailyKos bump and the word is getting out!) by Alice Olson on Fri Jan 29, 2010 at 05:54:39 PM PST

The Native American Heritage Association (NAHA) (NAHA) is a very reputable organization with a 4 star rating from Charity Navigator, so if you're looking for a way that you can donate online, and want to be sure your donation is going to a legitimate charity, this would be the organization to send your donation to. NAHA provides food, clothing, heating assistance, etc., to the people on several South Dakota reservations.

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Government Officials To Contact

Legislator Info gathered by KentuckyKat:

Sen. Tim Johnson

Democrat

E-mail: tim@johnson.senate.gov

SH-136 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510-4104

(202) 224-5842

(202) 228-5765 Fax

Senator John Thune

383 Russell

Washington, DC 20510

(202) 224-2321

Fax:(202) 228-5429

Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin

Democrat

U.S. House of Representatives

WWW Home Page: http://hersethsandlin.house.gov/

1504 Longworth HOB

Washington, DC 20515

phone: 202-225-2801

fax: 202-225-5823

Contact Governor Rounds

Office of the Governor

500 E. Capitol Ave.

Pierre, SD 57501

605.773.3212

email link here

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Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

http://indian.senate.gov/...

Democrats only

Byron Dorgan, Chair, ND

1-800-666-4482 only in ND

Contact Form:

http://dorgan.senate.gov/...

Kent Conrad ND

1-800-223-4457 only in ND

Contact Form:

http://conrad.senate.gov.contact

Tim Johnson SD

1-800-537-0025 only in SD

Contact form:

http://johnson.senate.gov.contact

Maria Cantwell WA

1-866-648-7328 only in WA

Contact form:

http://cantwell.senate.gov.contact

Jon Tester MT

Contact Form:

http://tester.senate.gov.contact

Tom Udall NM

Contact Form:

http://udall.senate.gov.contact

Al Franken MN

Contact Form:

http://franken.senate.gov.contact

(H/T CuriousBoston)

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White House info (H/T DeepHarm)

To send an email message, go here.

To telephone or FAX:

Comments: 202-456-1111

Switchboard: 202-456-1414

FAX: 202-456-2461

To use TTY/TDD:

TTY/TDD:

Comments: 202-456-6213

Visitors Office: 202-456-2121

To send traditional mail:

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

(Please include your e-mail address)

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More:

The Native American Advocacy Program (NAAP)

Not so much for emergencies, but they help our tribal members with disabilities.

302 East 2nd Street

P.O. Box 527

Winner, South Dakota 57580-0527

Phone: (605) 842-3977

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National:

Native American Rights Fund

"Our Mission: preservation of tribal existence, protection of tribal natural resources, promotion of Native American human rights, accountability of governments to Native Americans, development of Indian law and educating the public about Indian rights, laws, and issues."

http://www.narf.org

E-Mail: pereira@narf.org

1712 N St. NW

Washington, DC 20036

Phone: 202-785-4166

Fax: 202-822-0068

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From Winter Rabbit's kickass diary from last night.

Many, many thanks to KentuckyKat for helping me put this together and to all the others in the comments helping us research.

Remember it is URGENT to get financial help to these tribes, please help.

Please leave us a comment if your were able to donate.