And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: ---------------- Original message follows ---------------- *From: Ben Sherman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> *To: Suppressed *Date: Sunday, June 13 1999 *Subject: Oglala Tornado Victim Assistance in Denver -- Please distribute widely... * * * * OGLALA SIOUX DISASTER RELIEF COLLECTION Denver, CO - June 9, 1999 - Local Indians and their friends have started a drive to collect goods and funds for the victims of the tornados that recently struck the remote village of Oglala on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Ben Sherman, Chairman of the Western American Indian Chamber in Denver and a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, is one of the leaders of the disaster relief drive in the Denver metro area and Colorado Springs. Also leading the effort are tribal members Rose Brave from the Native American Rights Fund in Boulder and Margaret Red Shirt Tyon from the Denver Indian Center Elderly Program. Latest surveys from Oglala indicate one person was killed, 22 injured and 67 houses destroyed. Several organizations and agencies are on-site with assistance, including the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the State of South Dakota. Most of the current work at Oglala consists of cleaning up wreckage and debris, patching up some homes, and seeing to the temporary food and shelter needs of the victims. Sherman explains, "Even with available assistance, there still remain many critical needs that must be met through other resources. That is why private donations are so important." The Pine Ridge Reservation is a part of Shannon County, which is consistently listed in census statistics as the poorest county in the United States. The unemployment rate on the reservation fluctuates seasonally between 70 and 85 percent. Reservation residents suffer >from some of the worst health conditions in the country. Winters can be especially brutal because of shortages of housing and heating. HOW TO HELP Critical needs are bottled water, baby food, baby formula, sterile water, diapers, wipes, baby clothes, blankets, pillows, inflatable mattresses, personal care items for women and men, cleaning supplies, trash bags, paperware, plasticware, tents, propane campstoves, propane, lanterns, flashlights, batteries, camp cots, canned foods, non-perishable foods, paper towels, toilet paper, canvas/plastic sheeting, folding chairs, sleeping bags, stackable containers, ice chests, thermos jugs. Do not send clothes, furniture or appliances at this time. Goods can be dropped off at the following locations: A-1 Relocation, 11701 E. 33rd Avenue, Aurora, (303) 364-2684 Denver Indian Center, 4407 Morrison Road, Denver, (303) 936-2688 City Moving & Storage, 481 S. Arthur Ave., Louisville, (303) 666-2121 Send checks and money orders to: Oglala Community Disaster Fund Norwest Banks of Colorado, Attn: Tania Reading 1740 Broadway Denver, CO 80274 For further information, contact Ben Sherman Phone: (303) 661-9819 or (303) 620-9292 * * * * Submitted by: Ben Sherman, Chairman Western American Indian Chamber 1900 Wazee Street, Suite 100 Denver, CO 80202 (303)620-9292 Phone (303)664-5139 Fax e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 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/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&