Last week I shared information from Chase Iron Eyes about the flooding disaster at Pine Ridge Reservation. The flood emergency continues, as does the need for help. “Your help is needed now more than ever”. Following is updated information.

We are extremely grateful for the many of you who have already taken action to help. I am happy to report that the water is back on in many of our districts and progress is being made on several fronts. That said, we are still in a state of extreme emergency with urgent needs including skilled volunteers and in-kind donations (materials) — and now Winter Storm Wesley is bearing down.

We have just launched a new site, OglalaOyankeRelief.org, as a place to find needed information and provide support. Please share it with anyone who might be able to help!

Topline priorities to care for our families, elders, and displaced citizens are bottled water and storage containers, nonperishable food, diapers, toilet paper, and hygiene products. And the rebuilding effort will be massive. Putting people back in residence requires some big ticket items, including vehicles of all kinds (especially UTVs), and green building supplies.

We also need things as simple as generators, fuel containers, water pumps, shovels, and other tools. Please email me directly at the tribal office to inquire before sending specific items so I can verify the items are still top-priority: chase@oglala.org.

Human resources are also essential. We are looking for grant writers, contractors, engineers, skilled laborers, bookkeepers, and administrative assistants who are experts in their field and able to cover the cost of a trip to Pine Ridge. If you can join us here, please email us at volunteer@oglalaoyankerelief.org before coming so we can discuss logistics.

Please send relief items to:
West Hwy 18
OST President’s Office
Pine Ridge, SD 57770

To the many of you who have already assisted us, I can’t thank you enough. With your support, we will persevere and rise again stronger, just as we have always done.

Wopila — all your help is greatly appreciated!

Chase Iron Eyes
Lead Counsel
Lakota People’s Law Project