FREE SPEECH ZONE | Emergency appeal from South Dakota reservations

You may have heard the Dakotas had terrible ice storms this past weekend. The ice has brought down over 2,000-3,000 utility poles down on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
 
Electricity has been out for five days (since Friday). Crews are working feverishly, but it may be out for up to 30 days in some areas. With no electricity, no heat, no running water, and a wind chill below zero the situation is growing more difficult.

The Tribal government is setting up shelters and working hard to provide for the community's needs. http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_95604146-0ab5-11df-88a7-001cc4c03286.html The State, the Red Cross, and other Tribes are helping, but options and resources have been drained with the two most recent blizzards. 

The Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation is one of the most impoverished communities in the United States. http://www.sioux.org  It is about the size of Connecticut: yet there are only a handful of generators on the Reservation, the water pump station is down so there is no running water, the gas stations hasn't been able to pump gas, and the Tribal grocery store has lost all its perishables.

Please donate if you can, and pass on to others and companies that might be able to provide donations or assistance.

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. http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_ec833f00-0a38-11df-a62b-001cc4c002e0.html

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:
A big thank you to Wal-Mart for sending some initial food and supplies!!  Additional items are needed, especially for the communities whose electricity is expected to be down for up to 30 days. 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.
 
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  (610) 568-2101     (610) 568-2101  (610) 568-2101         (610) 568-2101  (610) 568-2101     (610) 568-2101  (610) 568-2101
Joe Brings Plenty, Tribal Chairman c      (605) 365-6548  (605) 365-6548     (605) 365-6548  (605) 365-6548         (605) 365-6548  (605) 365-6548     (605) 365-6548  (605) 365-6548
         CRST Emergency Coordination Center      (605) 964-7711  (605) 964-7711     (605) 964-7711  (605) 964-7711         (605) 964-7711  (605) 964-7711     (605) 964-7711  (605) 964-7711 (7712)
 
Lila wopila (Great thanks),
Heather Dawn Thompson

Chris Mato Nunpa

Chris Mato Nunpa, Ph.D is a retired Associate Professor of Indigenous Nations & Dakota Studies (INDS) at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall