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Winter Aid Needed for South Dakotaâ€
Early Season Blizzard Blasts South Dakota
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTNgL7noiyQ
CALL FOR ACTIONPeople of Rosebud & Pine Ridge Reservations in Need of Emergency Assistance Following Severe Blizzard & Weather ConditionsChildren, Elderly, Disabled, and Sick In Need of Heat and Winter Necessities"About 60% of the Elders on Pine Ridge have sole custody of their grandchildren or great-grandchildren so there are often small children in the home, also at risk."N.A.M.A. Task Force Committed to Assisting Throughout Winter SeasonThe Native American Music Association, N.A.M.A., a non profit 501(c)(3), (Fed Id# 13-4032761) is heeding the requests of NAMAPAAH Radio and is joining in the effort to provide emergency clothing, and heating/utility assistance for the Elders, children, the disabled, and the sick on the Rosebud & Pine Ridge Reservations in South Dakota throughout this Winter season. N.A.M.A. is calling upon its international membership to make a donation in which ALL funds will go directly to providing clothing to local churches and schools on the Reservations as well as emergency heating/utility assistance determined by the application process of the Link Center Foundation's primary program. N.A.M.A. is also building a task force consisting of Winners, Nominees & Volunteer Staff in South Dakota to assist in filing emergency applications for those most in need of heat and Winter clothing on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations.The current goal is to raise over $15,000.00 in donations which will provide all current application approved households with several weeks of emergency propane and winter clothing. Fuel vendors will be paid directly. A list of fuel vendors is available for those interested. Additionally, an open line of communication is available with Propane companies in the event they refer an emergency recipient, i.g, , Lakota Plains Propane Co. on Pine Ridge. Assistance is provided in the order applications are received or in cases of dire or life-threatening emergencies which then take precedence. Propane is currently running about $2.20 to $2.50 per gallon. Fuel costs have risen about 33% in the last year. The various propane companies are requiring $120-$150 minimum purchase per delivery.Sadly, some of the elders in the back country (many of whom take care of their grandchildren) don't get into towns or local CAP offices and often miss out on obtaining emergency applications or even knowing about them. We can be of help to them!!! And most importantly, we want to be assured that the assistance goes directly to those most in need.While need is everywhere, particularly at this time of crisis, there are no greater needs than those of the Elders, children, disabled, and ill on these reservations. They have the lowest income, the least ability to gain funds, and often suffer from such serious health issues as to be severely impaired by the cold. Even worse, for the most part, they are the least able to travel to get assistance or to get someplace that might be warm. Moreover, according to the last Federal census, about 60% of the Elders on Pine Ridge have sole custody of their grandchildren or great-grandchildren so there are often small children in the home, also at risk.We are depending on YOU, the individual donor, to help us help these families in crisis. DONATE NOW through N.A.M.A.'s website.FACTS: Average income on the Oglala Lakota Sioux Pine Ridge Reservation is about $3,500.00 per YEAR. Jobs are extremely scarce; unemployment hovers around 85% on this 11,000-square-mile reservation which houses about 40,000 people. The other Lakota Reservations face similar economic conditions.Death by hypothermia is always a concern on the reservations. Each winter (October – March), temperatures drop well below 0*F. Many families must choose between food and heat. In some cases, they have neither.Federal LHEAP and Tribal Assistance Programs offer each low-income family approximately $300 per year. With the current rate of propane at $2.20 per gallon, this provides only 136 gallons – about enough fuel for 2 to 4 weeks (depending on the harsh weather).For more information on the LCF Elder heating/utility application process, feel free to visit the Link Center Foundation, www.linkcenterfoundation.org.To send clothing, blankets, boots, etc directly, you may request a list of ministries, churches and schools via email to; [email protected]'s help ASAP. It is just unacceptable to have third world country conditions in the middle of America! We need to help them not only during this crisis, but throughout the entire Winter Season.Please make a donation by clicking the donate button on the Native American Music Awards' website, "Special Programs" page. All donations are tax deductible.Media References:http://www.blogtalkradio.comhttp://www.rapidcityj
ournal.com By Kayla Gahagan, Journal Staff November 9th, 2008www.NDNnews.com by: Tamra Brennan November 15th, 2008--------------------------------------------------------
------------------------NOTE FROM NAMA'S FOUNDERThe Native American Music Awards & Association would like to assist those on Pine Ridge & Rosebud with their winter crisis.The inspiration for our entire organization, was given to us by the youth on Rosebud and Pine Ridge over 12 years ago. We are well aware of the difficulties and conditions facing those on Pine Ridge and Rosebud and it would be a wonderful effort for myself and our organization to come full circle and assist those there that are most in need. Not only in this crisis - but on a continuing basis.It just amazes me at times that the mainstream or others throughout the world do not realize we still have third world country conditions existing in the middle of America. Without Rosebud or Pine Ridge, there would be no NAMMYS today, and it is imperative that we make others aware of the hardships the Lakota face.We believe we have secured the best possible methods to offer the most direct assistance and reach those most in need, whether its money, diapers, toys, food, water, etc.We look forward to your assistance. Please visit our website www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com on the Special Programs Page and make your tax deductible donation now.In Unity,
Ellen Bello
NAMA President & Founder
212 228 8300
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You can help make a difference!! Please read this and share it!
Life Expectancy and Health Conditions on Pine Ridge.
§ Some figures state that the life expectancy on the Reservation is 48 years old for men and 52 for women. Other reports state that the average life expectancy on the Reservation is 45 years old. These statistics are far from the 77.5 years of age life expectancy average found in the United States as a whole. According to current USDA Rural Development documents, the Lakota have the lowest life expectancy of any group in America.
§ Teenage suicide rate on the Pine Ridge Reservation is 150% higher than the U.S. national average for this age group.
§ The infant mortality rate is the highest on this continent and is about 300% higher than the U.S. national average.
§ More than half the Reservation's adults battle addiction and disease. Alcoholism, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and malnutrition are pervasive.
§ The rate of diabetes on the Reservation is reported to be 800% higher than the U.S. national average.
§ Recent reports indicate that almost 50% of the adults on the Reservation over the age of 40 have diabetes.
§ As a result of the high rate of diabetes on the Reservation, diabetic-related blindness, amputations, and kidney failure are common.
§ The tuberculosis rate on the Pine Ridge Reservation is approximately 800% higher than the U.S. national average.
§ Cervical cancer is 500% higher than the U.S. national average.
§ It is reported that at least 60% of the homes on the Pine Ridge Reservation are infested with Black Mold, Stachybotrys. This infestation causes an often-fatal condition with infants, children, elderly, those with damaged immune systems, and those with lung and pulmonary conditions at the highest risk. Exposure to this mold can cause hemorrhaging of the lungs and brain as well as cancer.
§ A Federal Commodity Food Program is active but supplies mostly inappropriate foods (high in carbohydrate and/or sugar) for the largely diabetic population of the Reservation.
§ A small non-profit Food Co-op is in operation on the Reservation but is available only for those with funds to participate.
In a recent case study, the Tribal Council estimated a need for at least 4,000 new homes in order to combat the homeless situation.
§ There is an estimated average of 17 people living in each family home (a home which may only have two to three rooms). Some larger homes, built for 6 to 8 people, have up to 30 people living in them.
§ Over-all, 59% of the Reservation homes are substandard.
§ Over 33% of the Reservation homes lack basic water and sewage systems as well as electricity.
§ Many residents must carry (often contaminated) water from the local rivers daily for their personal needs.
§ Some Reservation families are forced to sleep on dirt floors.
§ Without basic insulation or central heating in their homes, many residents on the Pine Ridge Reservation use their ovens to heat their homes.
§ Many Reservation homes lack adequate insulation. Even more homes lack central heating.
§ Periodically, Reservation residents are found dead from hypothermia (freezing).
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WWW. SAVEOURTRIBALYOUTH. COM
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YOU CAN VISIT AND MAKE A DONATION TOWARDS HEAT FOR WINTER RELIEF!! VISIT OUR SITE AT:
WWW. SAVEOURTRIBALYOUTH. COM
FOR PAYPAL DONATIONS INSTANTLY!
OR MAIL TO:
SOTY
PO BOX 637
TARRYTOWN, NY 10591
PLEASE HELP IN WHATEVER YOU ARE ABLE TO BRING SOME HOPE AND RELIEF TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ON PINE RIDGE RESERVATION.
PILAMAYA!!
ALL OF US AT S.O.T.Y.
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