In many of these difficult times, accelerated by COVID-19 and resultant economic and health situations, banning together in groups is helpful.
Native Americans grapple with similar situations continually. (See The Voice November 5 and 12 on Native American voting challenges.)
One Spirit is an organization which seeks to address the problems with solutions and publishes a newsletter. It can offer a relevant view.
• Okini program: Okini is the Lakota (Native American) word for sharing material goods. It allows donors to view the Okini list of urgent needs for supplies to be sent directly to families who request help.
One Spirit built a youth and community center in the poorest place in the United States, Allen, S.D. which was completed in 2015.The building and staff members provide a safe and welcoming environment for the children in high-risk situations.
Not only are meals provided at the Allen Youth Center, but children have a small library, games, and computers. There are learning opportunities, including classes from Lakota art to daily living skills. Loving support is included.
• Heating program: Many homes in the Pine Ridge, South Dakota reservation rely on wood-burning stoves as a sole source of heat for cooking and fuel in below-zero Winters.
One Spirit hires Lakota workers, provides them with work tools, and pays them to deliver truck loads of harvested firewood to homes in need. Free firewood assists those in need.
• Food program: Food is the single-most requested item from Lakota families. One Spirit distributes monthly food boxes of fresh, healthy, food. The One Spirit Food Program feeds more than 6,000 individuals each month. One Spirit provides food for organizations such as Rosebud Soup Kitchen, Allen Youth Center, Goldie’s Meals on Wheel, Manderson Feeding Program, Pine Ridge Veterans, and Bear Cave Suicide Prevention. A box of fresh, healthy, food costs One Spirit $65 to deliver to each home.
• Buffalo Charging: One Spirit built the only meat-processing plant on the Pine Ridge Reservation, the Charging Buffalo Facility. Prior, the Lakota Native American took their game and herd meat to Nebraska for processing at great expense. The facility provides employment opportunities for indigenous people.
Donations are accepted: One Spirit, P.O. Box 3209, Rapid City, SD 57709.
—One Spirit
—Submitted by Lisa Sfeir, Native American activist