Disaster declared on Cheyenne R Sioux Reservation: Aid urgently needed

February 2, 11:23 AM

Posted by: Human Rights ExaminerDeborah Dupre’

Source: Indigenous Peoples Issues & Resources

Severe Ice Storms and Freezing Temperatures Knocked Down 3,000 Utility Poles – Tribal Residents Have Been Without Electricity, Heat and Running Water for Six Days.

Chairman of Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe has declared a State of Emergency in central South Dakota on the Indian reservation approximately the size of Connecticut with nearly 15,000 Tribal members. The Tribe is still awaiting Presidential disaster declaration.

Days of ice storms and strong winds have downed over 3,000 utility poles across the reservation. Thousands of already impoverished tribal residents have been without electricity or heat for five days, with wind chill factors well below zero. Experts estimate it may be as long as a month before all areas have electricity restored.

No running water

“Making matters worse,” said Tribal Chairman Joe Brings Plenty, “the loss of electricity has also knocked out the Reservation’s aging water system. We have no running water on the entire Reservation, it is also affecting of Reservation communities such as Faith, whose water is supplied from pipes running through the Reservation.”

The Tribe is working hard to bring families in, out of the cold and into shelters. The South Dakota National Guard, The State’s Department of Public Safety plus the Army Corps of Engineers have come to the reservation and supplied some emergency generators.

The Tribe especially thanks Wal-Mart for providing emergency food and supplies, and the Navajo Nation for sending a tribal utility crew to help with downed electrical lines.

Much more assistance is still needed. No one facility can host a shelter large enough for all the Tribal residents. Additional generators are needed to create additional shelters.

The Tribe’s one and only grocery store has lost all perishables. Food is needed.

Dialysis patients had to be evacuated to Rapid City.

Donations Needed

MEDICAL NEEDS: Dialysis Patients/Glucose Strips/Financial Support for Hotels

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.

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

CRST Emergency Coordination Center (605) 964-7711 (7712)