You can help make a difference in the lives of the People
Don Bosdell and Tsiya'Geya Willis had a dream - to travel out to Indian country, specifically Rosebud and Pine Ridge to offer their help and assistance to the people to make their lives better in whatever way they can. Things we take for granted are desperately needed.
Some people might think, why would anyone just head off to one of the poorest reservations in the states and think they could do anything to change life there? Well, they are doing it, a little bit at a time. But your help is needed too and if you are one of the many people that is very interested in the Lakota people, here are some ways you can help that will make a difference in the daily lives of elders, children and families.
Their first goal is to help elders and they hope to bring in as much firewood as possible to prepare for the cold winters. They are also making ramps at the homes of elders who need them to become more mobile and independent.
They have had their share of challenges - the sawmill blade broke and they had to wait for some donations before they were able to purchase more to continue cutting firewood. According to Otter Woman, their "to-do" list is growing every day. Here is a list of some things people do need and which can be donated.
There is a desperate need for clothing - and while clothing does not have to be new, it should be in very good condition and clean. Clothing is needed for adults as well as children and infants.
Blankets, dishes, houseware, pots and pans, and Walmart gift cards are greatly needed and appreciated. If you want to donate funds, you may write on your check or money order what you want the money to be used for and it will be done. Money is needed for gas, disel fuel and saw blades. Please make sure to mark this on your donations so it will go to these things specifically.
Sizes needed for clothing:
Premies, 0 to 6 months, 12 months to 24 months, 24 months to 6T
6T to youth sizes: 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19+, for boys & girls.
Toiletries would be a plus for these young people.
To those who are sending packages of donations,
please use this address:
Don Bosdell & Tsiya 'GeyaWillis
c/o Smoky's Own Shop
The First Site South Of the Old Rosebud Dump Site Off Hwy 18 On BIA Rosebud, SD 57570.
Also put on envelope below address: #605-747-4744 so UPS can call us for directions.
To those who are sending Money Orders, Cashier Checks Please use this address:
Don Bosdell & Tsiya 'GeyaWillis
c/o Smoky's Own Shop
P.O. Box 607
Rosebud, SD 57570
Please make Money Orders or Cashier Checks out to:
Don Bosdell or Melanie Willis
Please remember to mark on your donation what if anything, you would like the funds to specifically cover.
Wado.
Our cell phone doesn't work here, so if you need to get a hold of us, you can reach us at either of these numbers:
605-747-4744 or 605-747-4680.
Pokey & Smokey run the Native Indian Heritage Organization, also known as NIHO. Anybody, who wants to make out checks, or money orders or cashiers check's to Pokey's Organization of there non-profit org is welcomed to do so. I told Pokey that when we leave from here, there should be some donations coming in for their cause as well.
Pokey said to make them payable to South Dakota Native Indian Heritage Organization or for short S.D.N.I.H.O. She also said that, those who mark the donations for gas, or baby, will go specifically to what is the donations on the checks etc, that is what it will go for. We have been helping Pokey with her free store, and those who come into the store, she has told them what we are doing. They can't seem to understand the word free. We tell them yes for free, we are donating our services to them, for fire wood and for ramps. It is an honor to help our Elders.
As far as Pokey and Smokey's organization is concerned, you may also contact Nimchira, better known as Nim, if you have any questions at Nim. They have a non-profit organization called Web of Life Enterprises and Nim's organization works closely with Pokey on the reservation.
You can do so much for the elders, children and families in making these donations. Now is the time to prepare for the upcoming winter months, when the weather turns brutally cold and they need to be warm both outside and in their homes. The goal is to prepare ahead of time, to avoid any deaths from freezing. This happens a lot during the cold winter months.
Your help and giving hearts are so appreciated by the people.
Contents
July 2007 Reports
Last updated on August 13, 2007