And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Date: Sun, 06 Jun 1999 11:53:38 -0700 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: Tehaliwaskenhas-Bob Kennedy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Oglala Sioux--Tornado Disaster Update Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" As reported June 6th, 1999 by Turtle Island Native Network Http://www.turtleisland.org The Oglala Sioux are reeling after disaster struck this weekend wiping out a large part of one of their communities.It is being described by tribal members as the worst they can recall. Tornadoes had touched down on the reservation many times over the years but nothing like what struck Friday.As if they haven't suffered enough already, there's a threat of even more severe weather in South Dakota today.In an interview with Turtle Island Native Network, Oglala Sioux intertribal liaison Shawn Perkins said they are bracing for more tornadoes. Friday, six tornadoes smashed their way through the Pine Ridge Indian reservation communities of Oglala, Porcupine, Manderson and Kyle. One person was killed and dozens of people were left homeless. Oglala was practically wiped out, said Perkins who also is the Red Cross representative for the tribe.Six or seven more tornadoes swept through the area Saturday before emergency crews were able to complete their assessment of damage caused by Friday's deadly twister. Perkins said he has been told by the weather experts the community should brace itself for this kind of weather for a couple of more days.Dozens of people have spent a couple of nights either with friends or in a local school. Others are refusing to leave their basements,even though their homes were destroyed and there's just the foundation left, added Perkins.Rescue workers are still checking to see if all people have been accounted for, especially in the hills where it is believed some people have stayed during the storms.Because of the second wave of torandoes that struck Saturday, workers still haven't been able to reach the hill areas of the reservation.To provide immediate relief,Francine Redwillow has set up a donations and distribution centre at the Loneman School. The Red cross emergency workers are on the scene and efforts are being made to ensure food and clothing gets to those people who refuse to leave their disaster-stricken homes.Perkins said experts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrived there quickly and are continuing to make their disaster assessment, but he believes Washington already has declared an emergency for the area.If you want to help, Shawn Perkins said the greatest need is for housing, furniture, clothing and those kinds of items. But for anyone who wants to donate money you can send it to the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Box H Pine Ridge South Dakota ZIP 57770 Also, a Relief Fund has been established by a local radio and tv station - KELO - to help the Native American community at Oglala.If you want to make a pledge to them you can e-mail your name, address and phone number and how you want to help------AS EARLIER REPORTED by TURTLE ISLAND NATIVE NETWORK June 6, 1999 South Dakota Governor Calls for Emergency Declaration in Wake of Deadly Tornado at Oglala.The Governor of South Dakota is calling for a presidential disaster declaration for the community of Oglala where the Lakota Nation is coping with the aftermath of a deadly tornado.Friday night's tornadoes took one life-54 year old Jonas Belt died when tornadoes tore through his house.Search crews spent the day looking for three missing people, but by Saturday evening,every man,woman and child were accounted for.One hundred people are homeless.The twister touched down on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation at 6:30 mountain time Friday night.It leveled at least 15-homes in a 5-mile wide area. Survivors moved into Pine Ridge High School for shelter.The Red Cross provided food and assistance.South Dakota Governor Bill Janklow and the National Guard were quick to go there to Oglala to assess the damage and start cleaning up.The biggest need,Congressman John Thune says should be met by Capitol Hill.He spent the day in Oglala assessing damage.The Pine Ridge reservation does not have weather siren or a system to warn residents of severe weather.Thune says it's an issue the feds and tribes need to address.Thune says, the tribe obviously is a soverign government and they have a responsibility for a lot of things, but if for some reason whether its a funding issue or whatever,they don't have a warning system in place and we need to find out why.The whole house was vibrating, said Milo Sits Poor, who rode out the storm in a basement. A car that was parked out front started spinning in circles.Myrna Eagle Hawk said she hid under a mattress with her niece and nephew when the storm struck. The living room, one bedroom is demolished. The roof — there is no roof,she said.About 20 homes,a church and a church hall were destroyed and 50 houses were damaged, said Gene Abdallah, superintendent of the state Highway Patrol. Eight people were taken to a Rapid City hospital, and about 20 were treated in Pine Ridge.Violent thunderstorms, baseball-size hail, high winds and at least four tornados rolled across the southern part of the state Saturday.National Guard members were sent to Oglala and the town was evacuated for an hour Saturday night because of the bad weather.Gov. Bill Janklow flew to Oglala earlier in the day and said the most immediate need was finding temporary housing for people who need a place to sleep, eat and bathe.You'll have a lot of people that want to help, he told tribal officials.----This is Turtle Island Native Network...Your Aboriginal news and information network. ----------- Turtle Island Native Network Your Aboriginal News and Information Network on the Internet http://www.turtleisland.org Winner - 1999 Aboriginal Media Arts Award. "Let's do it before we don't do it!" Tehaliwaskenhas - G.R.(Bob) Kennedy INFOCOM Management 1 - 1986 Glenidle Road, Sooke, BC V0S 1N0 Phone: (250) 642-0277 Fax: (250) 642-0278 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.turtleisland.org Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
