Safe & Legitimate Ways to Donate to Reservations in South Dakota

Image credit: Supporting South Dakota Reservations Page
/ Facebook

Today is Thursday, July 11, 2013.

The other day I wrote about the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, once known as Prisoner of War Camp #334.

Thanks to a community page on Facebook known as Supporting South Dakota Reservations Page, I have come by a list of safe and legitimate ways to help out, if you so desire.  Please visit the web pages and do your homework to see which organization you would like to support.  Some of the organizations support a particular reservation, while others support various ones.  Please feel free to share this information.   :-)

*CHEYENNE RIVER RESERVATION*
- The Cheyenne River Youth Project
http://www.lakotayouth.org
A place to learn and a place to receive a healthy, hot meal. Check the programs they offer.

- Okiciyapi Tipi
https://www.facebook.com/OkiciyapiTipiHousingPartnerships
Their mission is to provide simple, decent, affordable housing for the people of the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. Check out their page for volunteering and wishlist information.

- Four Bands
http://www.fourbands.org
The leading organization on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in the areas of small business training and lending, entrepreneurship education, and financial literacy. Four Bands also provides services for youth-sowing the seeds to encourage private business ownership and financial literacy at an early age.

*VARIOUS SD RESERVATIONS*
- Running Strong
https://indianyouth.org
Their mission is to help people meet their immediate survival needs – food, water, and shelter; while implementing and supporting programs designed to create opportunities for self-sufficiency and self-esteem.

*PINE RIDGE RESERVATION*
- Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation
http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org
 http://twitter.com/FoPRR
Loads of programs and various activities.

 - Re-Member
http://re-member.org
It seeks to improve the quality of reservation life through relationships, shared resources and volunteer services. Book a trip to volunteer in Pine Ridge!!
Online Store: http://www.cafepress.com/kiksuya

- Heart of the Sacred Spirit
  http://www.heartsofthesacredspirit.org
Donations for propane, firewood, electric bills, donated Items, blankets, Christmas Gifts for kids/Easter Egg Hunt.

- Lakota Circle Village
http://www.lakotacirclevillage.org
They wish to build a Lakota school that will learn the language. They are going to give free Lakota classes online soon as well. Check out their wishlists to help finishing this school.

- Lakota Solar Entreprises (Trees Water people)
http://www.lakotasolarenterprises.com
Solar heating system.

- Wakanyeja Tiospaye O’Tipi (ex-Children's village)
http://www.otakuye.org
Emergency care for children. Look at their programs. They are very active and keep on with their goals. They serve children who have been abused, orphaned, who have no one to turn to, who have a parent in prison. They are teaching them Lakota language and culture.

- Lakota Funds
http://www.lakotafunds.org
Certified by CDFI. They offer loans to Lakota people to build or expand a business. They offer business courses as well. You can donate or invest by becoming a low interest loaner.

- Wounded Knee Tiyospaye Project (WKTP)
http://villageearth.org/global-affiliates/wounded-knee-tiospaye-project
Supporting Wounded Knee district to develop and implement small economic, cultural and social projects. Thank you in advance for your help.

- Lakota Pine Ridge Children's Enrichment Project
http://lakotakids.blogspot.fr
They organize various drives for kids (school, Winter clothes, Christmas toys).

- Trees, Water & People
http://www.treeswaterpeople.org/locations/united_states/tribal_lands/tribal_lands.html
When donating, specify it is for the "Tribal Renewable Energy Program".

- One spirit
http://www.nativeprogress.org
 http://twitter.com/SpiritPineRidge
They have a youth program and a Lakota art market. You can sponsor a child, elder or family. And more! They take any clothing, blankets, etc.

- Knife Chief Buffalo Nation
http://villageearth.org/global-affiliates/knife-chief-buffalo-nation-2
Reconnect the Lakota people and the Buffalo Nation through Lakota Governance and Culture.

- Lakota Buffalo Caretakers
http://villageearth.org/global-affiliates/lakota-buffalo-caretakers-association
A marketing cooperative to assist with processing, marketing, and sale of buffalo.
Online shop where you can buy buffalo meat and jerky.

*LOWER BRULE RESERVATION*
- Supporting South Dakota Reservations' Winter Drive
List of supplies needed: Warm clothes, blankets, socks, mittens, gloves, hats, sweatshirts for children/babies and adults. When mailing packages, please address correctly, purchase delivery confirmation thru Post Office.
Mail to:
Lower Brule Community College
c/o Supporting South Dakota Reservations
Attention Tanya Krietlow (Director of Human Resources)
111 Little Partisan Lane
Lower Brule SD 57548.