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One of the most devastating natural disasters in
modern times slammed into the Gulf coast on August 29th. Since then,
many of us have watched in horror and anguish as the survivors begin the
long journey back to normalcy. Most of the news has focused on damage to
the city of New Orleans and to the plight of the poor black class whose
homes have been largely wiped out. But I have not heard much about what
has happened to the numerous Native Americans who have lived in the area
long before the coming of the white man.
Among the tribes affected are the Chitimacha Tribe
of Louisiana, the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe
of Louisiana, the Jena Band of Choctaw of Louisiana, the Mississippi
Band of Choctaw, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the Miccosukee Tribe of
Florida, the United Houma Nation, the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe, the
Isle de Jean Charles Indian Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha Confederation of
Muskogees, located in Terrebonne Parish; the Bayou Lafourche Band of
Biloxi-Chitimacha Confederation of Muskogees, located in Lafourche
Parish, the Muskogees, located in Terrebonne Parish and the Poarch Band
of Creek Indians of Alabama.
Due to lack of phone service, many of the more isolated tribes have not
yet been contacted to see if they survived. There are 3500 members of
the Houma tribe alone who are in need of help. The Tunica-Biloxi Indian
Tribe in central Louisiana has opened their Paragon Casino Resort
convention center and it is now a Red Cross shelter which is currently
housing 600 refugees.
Many of the People who formerly lived on their own, most of whom made
their living fishing in the Gulf, will now be forced to move back to the
reservations. Currently there is not enough housing or jobs to support
their return. According to an article appearing in Indian Country Today,
while federally recognized tribes are eligible for some government
assistance, non-recognized peoples are not.
The National Council of American Indians is mounting a campaign to help
our People in need. They are encouraging tribes as well as individuals
who wish to aid the tribes affected by Hurricane Katrina
TO SEND DONATIONS TO:
NCAI
1301 Connecticut Ave, NW Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036.
They ask that you put "Hurricane Relief" in subject line of your check.
All donations will go directly to tribes in the affected region of
Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
They will certainly appreciate your helping hand in their time of great
need.
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PROJECT WARM EMBRACE
I know your focus is on helping the hurricane disaster survivors, but
there are others who are still in need. I'd like to call your attention
to the third annual "Project Warm Embrace Coat and Comfort Item Drive"
for the People who live on the Cheyenne River Reservation.
This year project coordinators are going to collect all NEW comfort
items, with the exception of coats. They are asking for NEW-Blankets,
Packages of socks, Hats, Gloves and scarves and LIKE NEW coats. All of
the items are for men, women and children.
Winters are very hard in the north and especially hard for people who do
not have the means to buy warm clothes, fuel, and enough
food to sustain them and their families. Every year people freeze to
death on the northern reservations. If you could send a coat or blanket,
you might actually save a life.
The items will be gifted to Lakota pastors and they will give them to
their congregations as gifts at the holidays.
The drive officially starts on October 1 and runs through October 31 and
the donated gifts will be delivered around the middle of November.
Please mail your warm gifts to:
Second Baptist Church
309 E. Kansas Street
Liberty, Missouri 64068
Attention: PROJECT WARM EMBRACE.
For more information contact:
Dana Ray Thompson
KCUR-FM, 89.3 Kansas City
Account Executive
816.792.8617 (direct)
816.781.3902 (fax)
thompsonda@umkc.edu
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PASSING OF AN ELDER
I have just received word that Mary Cecilia Looking Horse, Mother of
Arvol Looking Horse, the 19th Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe, has
made her final journey.
You can send condolences to
Arvol
Box # 687
Eagle Butte, S.D. 57625-0687
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