What would you do if you were totally dependent upon a single monthly check of $250 to cover all your living expenses from rent, heat, electricity to food and then your check suddenly ceased arriving in your mail box without any explanation? What if you live on a reservation where there is 80-85% unemployment and your tribe is $60 million in debt? Add to the context the highest rates per population of child suicide in the world. Now imagine what goes through your mind when your single source of income becomes “invisible” and you already know you don’t have the gas to drive off the reservation to search for employment, you have no funds to find housing off the reservation, and you are the sole adult caretaker for your grandchildren. What is now going through your mind at this point?
The following information is directly from Anne Fields who has been in direct contact with people on Pine Ridge Reservation who are currently in precisely the situation presented above.
Anne Fields:
There is a new situation on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota (and presumably on other reservations) that is very dire and perhaps life threatening.
I am a white grandmother who has spent a total of 18 months on the reservation, including four months teaching in the Early Head Start program. I have friends who are directly affected by the problem and who are growing more desperate each day. So far my efforts to find information or help for them have been unsuccessful.
Each month the Bureau of Indian Affairs has been providing General Assistance grants (see below) to many residents who are desperately needy. On Pine Ridge approximately 940 people receive monthly checks of up to $250. These checks are often their only source of income and their lifeline.
In December 2012 no checks came. I spent several hours on the phone with officials at the local, regional, and national levels trying to find out what had happened. Eventually I ended up at the BIA Division of Human Services in Washington where I spoke with Bevette Hern at 202-513-7608. She told me that there had been new software which had a glitch that was holding things up. She said it was now fixed and that the Treasury would get a file transfer shortly and that the Agencies should have the money by the end of that week. This did indeed happen.
But then in March 2013 again no checks ever came and there were no notifications to the recipients. The Post Offices were besieged by people looking for their money. No checks have arrived for April 2013 and folks are seriously cold and hungry. They do not know if the money will ever come again. They have had no information from the BIA.
In an effort to try to get some information regarding these crucial funds, I tried to call Bevette to see if this is a permanent situation, only to find that she is no longer working there (even though her answering machine still uses her name). I spoke with someone who would only give her name as “Roberta” and who said that she knew nothing about the details, only that the money available for “Welfare” has been cut back. She told me that I needed to talk to the BIA Great Plains Social Services in Aberdeen, SD. I called them at 605-226-7351 and spoke with “Patti.” She told me that Central Office has not received any funds so they have nothing to give out. She recommended that I talk to the folks in Washington–the same people who directed me to call her office.
I have written to South Dakota Congresswoman Noem and Senators Johnson and Thune for clarification, but as of now I have heard nothing back from any of them.
BIA Human Services handles 6 components of Financial Assistance, which consist of:
1. General Assistance
a) An applicant must meet the criteria contained in 25 CFR 20.300 (Who qualifies for Direct Assistance)
b) Apply concurrently for financial assistance from other state, tribal, county, local, or other federal agency programs for which he/she is eligible;
c) Not receive any comparable public assistance, and
d) Develop and sign an employment strategy in the ISP with the assistance of the social service
worker to meet the goal of employment through specific action steps including job readiness and job search activities.
So, what should Anne Fields and these 940 people on Pine Ridge Reservation DO to get some information from the BIA and/or the Federal Government? Any suggestions? Even if you have no notions about how to deal with this continuing situation, please take a moment to send this information via your favorite internet social network sharing options.
Sheelah McLean (left), Nina Wilson, Sylvia McAdam, Jessica Gordon
If you’re still wondering what has Canada’s First Nations “Idle No More” then brew some tea, get your seat all comfy and let the ladies do their thing–teach. Here’s a very accessible introduction to the issues. Canada’s Omnibus Bill C-45 has been passed by the senate. Guess what that means after Dr. Pamela Palmater lays it all out.
Sylvia McAdam, Jan. 6 Teach In, Calgary via placesintheforest
Sylvia McAdam presents Peaceful Women Warriors ~ Alberta
Nina Wilson interview with Trevor Grey Eyes News regarding C-45
In depth presentation about Canada’s First Nations issues. This is very clearly presented information and explanations.
Dr. Pamela Palmater ~ Alberta (part 1/4)– On the legislation/Harper/Indian Act/environment and more.
(part 2/4) Water issues, discrimination via the Canadian legal system, pipeline, treaty partners, reserve land, First Nations elections, protests, chiefs and more.
(part 3/4) Omnibus Bill C-45, treaty rights, jurisdiction, ”unlocking our lands,” education, who benefits from First Nations poverty and more.
(part 4/4) Resource Development by force, right wing media spin issues, social media, White Paper 2012, et al.
Anyone else get the sense that just meeting with Harper is not going to silence the drums of ”Idle No More” while genocide is committed via legislation?
Lovely how one thing leads to another and another and then again another–and they’re all connected back and forth along the spider’s steel webs. Being the curious cat that I am watching one video on the Wild Horse Channel just wasn’t enough. Had to ear sniff more of them. O those Spanish mustang are so engaging! Well, eventually my ears caught wind of Michael Bucher’s music video on the channel. That discovery led to more cyberswamp exploration to Bucher’s website
http://www.michaelbucher.com/ where there’s more for your ears’ feasting. O and if you tweet there’s a free music download. Yep, there is. So today my flow has gone from Facebook to Horses to Film to Music and it all traverses sacred ground in some form. I was going to save this post for another day until I viewed the “You’re Not Alone” video and considered some of the content. Figure it’s best to not save it for another day. There’s music and videos on Bucher’s website and links to “You Are Not Alone” for suicide prevention connections. Everything needed for connecting is provided
http://www.michaelbucher.com/links .
Bucher’s connections include history, sacred sites, Indian graves, suicide, healing and –got the drift? Pay it forward.
For what you can do to join in solidarity with the 40,000 Indigenous people of Brazil visit ‘Eye on the Amazon–Official blog of Amazon Watch’
http://amazonwatch.org/news/2012/1204-take-action-for-justice-now-on-dec-10 Join the campaign on Facebook, send letters to the Brazilian consulate nearest you, sign the petition, distribute the petition, tweet the campaign and raise awareness globally.
The displacement of 40,000 Indigenous people and the destruction of the ecosystem of the Xingu River seems to be of no concern to those demanding the construction of the Belo Monte Dam. What is real progress? Is changing the landscape and destroying the lives of people “progress” in our world of climate change? Or is “progress” learning how to reach sustainable life-ways in harmony and balance with our environment upon which we are all dependent for survival as a species? What world will your grandchildren know? Or will there be a life-sustaining habitat for humans in the future? Is energy at any cost really worth the price of extinction?
Imagine it, an artist leading the way to a sustainable, healthy habitat for urban dwellers everywhere. Where are all the yappers about “change we can breathe in”? Hmm? Where? Never mind them. This sort of creating is not part of the political playbook for gaining and keeping power. Gee, what if it was? What if we all demanded clean air around the globe? No exceptions–everywhere. And what if we refused to let politicians play their games as usual? Imagine a better world for ALL living things–not just us humans. Now. Today. It’s possible. Just ask Stephen Glassman and his team. Clearly they think it’s possible and doable. If we really want it.
This is not a joke, folks. Stephen Glassman really has the plans for cleaning the air of Los Angeles using BAMBOO! Living, breathing bamboo plant billboards. Ah the interconnectedness of all things–houseplants for cleaning indoor air and dealing with sick building syndrome, the urban farming revolution gaining ground, greening of urban rooftops and balconies–and now I find that an artist, sculptor Stephen Glassman, wants to build bamboo air cleaners along LA highways. There’s something in the air. I’m telling you, folks. If Glassman had just a tiny portion of the money spent on the latest round of political bs poured into the last election everyone’s urban air would be CLEAN. Or at least on its way to being much safer for all living things.
We can all do our part to share this dream–because we all have the tools right at our fingertips. Yes, I’m talking about that keyboard under your fingertips. If nothing else please “share” globally. Our future depends on us. Let’s give the artist a shot at improving our reality. Hmm. Why not?
Ah the joys, not, of the computer age where your pc connection dictates the level of cooperation from any url in cyberspace. Yes, I’m having issues today with my keyboard, monitor and hard drive. So, since ‘everything’ connected apparently had no desire to inhabit the same blog post here on WordPress at the same time here’s one just for the videos on YouTube for the performers at the upcoming Spirit in the Pines benefit concert at the Museum of Northern Arizona. If you’re in or around Flagstaff, AZ and in search of quality musical entertaiment the Spirit in the Pines concert might be just what your ears are listening for and let your entertainment funds work for a worthy cause. If you attend please return here and drop a line or two about the concert for those of us too far away to enjoy in person.
Also, thanks to everyone who takes the time to visit my blogcasa. Often some of you leave much appreciated comments for connecting online. Those of you too “shy” to talk or who are not inclined to leave connecting tracks are also much appreciated. Silent views from around the world are recorded by stats. Thank you ALL for your viewing support and interest.
Spirit in the Pines Benefit Concert support services to families affected by DV
On Aug. 25, Native American performers Tony Duncan, Anthony Wakeman and Radmilla Cody will perform a concert, Spirit in the Pines, to benefit Northland Family Help Center’s (NFHC) Women’s Shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their children. The evening will also include wine, appetizers, and an auction of a one-of-a-kind handmade Native American style flute. A beautiful handcrafted quilt made by an anonymous donor for NFHC will be displayed.
A reception will be held at 4:30 p.m. with the concert following at 5:30 p.m. at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Tickets are $40 per person. Proceeds will support critical services to families affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Tickets can be purchased by calling (928) 233-4300 or emailing msims@northlandfamily.org.
From Canyon Records
“A Beautiful Dawn” song by Radmilla Cody
“Into the Wind” by Anthony Wakeman and Aaron White
Tony Duncan “Circle of Life” documentary trailer uploaded to YouTube by raedamon
What’s on the minds of young people contemplating their future choices on the Navajo Reservation? Find out in a documentary that will air on PBS July 26, at 10 pm EST. I caught a preview for this film while watching my local PBS station Sunday evening. Then I noticed the segement featuring the young people on Native America Calling and listened online. Serious issues are raised about education, culture, generations and being Native in America. Some of the issues are similar for all teenagers –even those swiming hard in the maintream. At its best, when “the box” offers more than moronic junk food it can get us all thinking outside all sorts of boxes. “Up Haertbreak Hill” sure does not sound like mental junk food.
Visit the “Up Heartbreak Hill” site for information about director Erica Scharf and the other filmmakers, including producer Chris Eyre, involved in this documentary –>>
http://www.upheartbreakhill.com/
Life is tough and complex for teenagers everywhere so the issues in this film are of interest to everyone, not just Native American/Indigenous/Indian people. How would you handle being a teenager in America in these times?
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 – Native Teens Racing Towards Life:
As teenagers get older and start reaching their last years of high school, many will look towards leaving home to pursue their life and education far from home. But, just how common is this dream? A new documentary, “Up Heartbreak Hill,” follows two bright Native American high school seniors through their final year of high school as they tackle daunting decisions and questions that will alter their life forever. What all is at stake in answering the question, should I stay or should I go? How do economic hardships on tribal nations skew visions of opportunity? Guests include Native youths Thomas Martinez (Navajo) and Tamara Hardy (Navajo) and Erica Scharf, Director & Producer/”Up Heartbreak Hill” Documentary.
Kristyn Dunnion strikes hard punk gold again in The Dirt Chronicles, a Lambda Literary Award Finalist, which is mis-identified as a collection of short stories. I can see how that labeling came about. These can be read as short stories. But, in reality, this is a novel presented from several different characters’ viewpoints and fully individual voices. It’s a little disconcerting unless you’re a fan of Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury. The story is dark, hard, gritty and it’s all about the lives of several punk street kids in Toronto. It’s not pretty. There’s the corrupt cops, drugs, rape, murder, sexual identity issues and relationship issues galore. This may not be an easy read for some folks. But if you’ve got a rebellious teenager overflowing with angst–you might want to take a hard look at the issues Dunnion deals with head on–from the perspective of the kids instead of the adults they run from. Dunnion’s ability to present convincing male and female voices and perspectives is uncanny. Writing about such subjects with harsh realism is the forte of few. It’s verification of Dunnion’s talent as a writer every time you cringe while discovering the very dark side of street and squat life. Oh and yes, again, this is also a love story (ies). How much does Oreo love Ferret? Enough to leave the entire world behind while pole dancing. What will Eddie do to get back to protecting Ray Ray? Whatever it takes.
Warning: This is not Patsy Cline crooning on this video.
Violating copyright births bad karma---imagine a mad hacker you'll never see coming--nor catch going. Respect = my work is my work and your work is your work.
Everything posted here is my work, copyrighted, unless otherwise noted. Comments aside. Om
Streaming Online
For Kili 90.1 fm, Pine Ridge, SD, click the image below for The Voice of the Lakota Nation.
Kili 90.1 fm The voice of the Lakota Nation
Native America Calling ~ Native Voice
Native America Calling on Native Voice
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Cemetery Hill, Wounded Knee, Mugged by a Squirrel for a plum, Ed's driving, Art for Art's Sake, painting nudes, Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, KKFI, Crazy Horse, Reading, Marry, Critical Path, Political Missionary, White Wolves, teaser (1), We Shall Remain Shallow, Winter Fox Frank, Wes Studi, The Only Good Indian, Spotted Elk, naked woman centered, devotees (Crazy Horse), Blue Heron, Critical Path, An Adaptable Woman, and other plums ripening and Tanka Bars.
these ladies are awesome. 
om mani padme hum jewel in the lotus wahupa qi prana universal life energy
