An update on projects and plans for new ones
Buffalo House and Regenerative Gardens
I recently returned from my 4th visit this year to the Reservation. The first three visits were to continue planning for the Regenerative Agriculture program and to work with contractors on the expansion of the Bufalo House. These projects have become hugely important for ensuring that the Lakota people will have a self-sufficient food source in the future.
The food sources we have traditionally relied on to supply food have let us know that the quantity of food available is greatly reduced and there is uncertainty about how fast that might increase—if it does. Fortunately, the federal government is, for the first time, allowing local meats and produce to be included in the government’s commodity food program so The Buffalo House can supply meat to the people through that program.
Another factor that is affecting buffalo is the current drought. It has been two months without rain. The fields are now bare, having been grazed down to the ground. We recently installed a well to bring water for the buffalo. The well had to be drilled down to 320 feet before producing water. This will allow the animals to be rotated to graze in different areas of the fields, allowing other areas to rest and rejuvenate.
A House for the Family Whose Home Burned
Thanks to all of you, the family of 12 whose home burned now has a beautiful trailer. Your donations paid for the trailer and the Tribe helped with clearing the site and moving the new trailer in. As of this week, just in time to plan for Thanksgiving, the family will be able to occupy the trailer. Needless to say, excitement is high.
“I am writing to you today with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation during our hardship,” wrote one member of the family. “To One Spirit and sponsors, I can’t thank you enough. You’ve helped tremendously.”
Youth from the Employment Program Provide a Community Meal at the Youth Center in Allen
On Saturday, November 9th, 5 young people who are in the Workforce Development Program were on the Reservation and prepared a meal for the Allen Community. These young people recently began training to prepare and manage a food truck which will be brought to the Reservation next year and set up as an ongoing business. The food truck has been bought and will be available for training in Minnesota before being brought to the Reservation.
Looking Ahead
Laundromats are the most urgent need
We have been hearing from the Lakota across the Reservation about the need for laundromats.
A survey of the youth in the Allen area showed clearly that the kids wanted a place to wash their clothes. They were staying away from school because they did not have clean clothes. We built an addition to the youth center and installed laundry facilities as well as a shower for people to use when there was no water in their homes. The laundry facility has been used continuously, all day long, six days a week since it was opened. After five years, we recently had to replace the machines.
People living in other districts of the Reservation now drive more than 100 miles round trip to wash their clothes at a cost of $5 per load. This cost and the cost of gas prohibit regular trips to the laundromat.
We are working now with the districts to determine where and how laundromats can be installed to serve the people. The Reservation needs at least three more laundromats to meet the needs of the Lakota people.