Native American Disaster Overshadowed by Haiti - 2010

Feb. 12, 2010 -
Thank you everyone. The initial crisis is over! Electricity is back on in Eagle Butte and surrounding communities.

I'd like to thank those who have helped spread the word, no one would have known without you!

In reply to "blsnet" comment, as to why this was declared a disaster area: This kind of situation has never-ever happened before on the reservation, even the elders were in shock. The power has gone out before, yes. However 2,000 utility poles have never dropped like dominos, forcing 14,000 modern residents to huddle for warmth around a gas stove for two weeks while polar winds whistled through the walls. Families and pets are still dealing with the after effects of carbon monoxide poisoning from the gas. And ice storms in particular "never" happen! Winter weather in this area is usually cold and dry, so dry that the snow blows and creates drifts, that's about it.

Historically, Native Americans living on the plains were nomads, following the animal herds (their food source) they moved south for the winter. This area in the north was their summer stomping grounds, winter was never a problem until boundaries were set and reservations were established. Check your local libraries or wikipedia for more history.

I know other communities across the states are also having a tough time, this winter has been hard on all Americans. I've even heard there was a blizzard in Texas! I just want to let everyone know how much we all have appreciated your help! As far as the major media coverage is concerned, it's amazing how far they go to ignore anything to do with the reservation. -- "I think that if we are to ever going to eliminate poverty in America, it will have to been done through the free enterprise system and certainly not by Government." --Walter Knott


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(CNN iReport) "Native American Disaster Overshadowed by Haiti" http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-400454
Ice and snow that began January 20, 2010 wrecked havoc on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation located in South Dakota, causing power lines to snap under the weight of the ice. Within hours 50+mph polar winds....

CRST 2010 Disaster Relief Information:
http://www.sioux.org/English/CRST_2010_Disaster_Relief.php

Press Release as of Jan. 31, 2010:
http://klavaux.blogspot.com/2010/02/press-release-jan-31.html

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.native/browse_thread/thread/2fb8cf80d1379441

JOIN THE CAUSE ON FACEBOOK!:
http://www.causes.com/causes/440182


------------------- In the News --------------------
CRST awaiting disaster declaration by president Obama:
http://www.examiner.com/x-34368-Rapid-City-Native-American-Culture-Examiner~y...
Lakota Sioux Lose Heat, Water Amid Storms:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704094304575029450101290726.html
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Hurting After Ice Storm:
http://www.nc-cherokee.com/onefeather/2010/01/28/crst-hurting-after-ice-storm/
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Struggles After Big Storm:
http://64.38.12.138/News/2010/018170.asp
South Dakota Sioux Tribe Seeks Emergency Assistance After Storm:
http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read/1571122/South_Dakota_Sioux_Tribe_Seeks_E...
Disaster Declared on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota:
http://community.tide.com/tide/topics/disaster_declared_on_the_cheyenne_river...

Video Edited by Kelly Lavaux
Music by ImmediateMusic.com - "Serenata"

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[bigjalil]

this is awful. but the title of your video makes it seem as if we shouldnt care about the ppl of Haiti. I luv all my ppl, hispanic, black, native american, etc. I do blame the media for not covering this,bc i had no idea.

[NewSpeakproductions]

@bigjalil Haiti had full coverage from the news networks, and we did our part to help. The media however refused to cover this disaster even a little bit and therefor it was being overshadowed. It wouldn't have mattered what or who was in the news, according to media it's not politically correct to mention native american news on top broadcasting networks.

[gamdillo]

this is happening all over the world right now with this dumb snow storms.

[NewSpeakproductions]

So I've noticed, this is the craziest winter weather I have ever seen! Did you hear about the tornado in California?

[shar4tn]

Actually, nobody was "immediately" mobilized. The storm was so bad that roads were impassable for a while, that means days not hours. Many froze to death because their propane tanks were not delivered. Water pipes froze, their cattle froze. How do we measure what is more important? I agree we need to take care of our own first. Period.

[PhoenixAquua2012]

interesting, with the US ability to control the weather using HAARP, and creating the earthquake in Haiti...it makes me wonder if this too was created....

[xingwei12]

The rise of native tribes will happen. They will see how to really live, Time to realize ,The only way is the native way"> Love and light all ways

[rabekahwashington]

This made me nauseous and want to sob my heart out. I am SO TIRED of natives, ESPECIALLY my beloved Lakota being cast aside. I would gather all of the people in my arms if I could.

[ThizZLaMiK1]

And forgotten as if nothing happened.

[ThizZLaMiK1]

I am 90% Lakota, and a PFC 816th Combat Engineer in the U.S. Army. From what I've seen, the state has and federal goverment seem acknowledge "major" disasters outside of our beloved country. And no we soldiers are not trained to be hitmen and bullies, more like a friend who will push our problems aside to help. Yes, those problems are the floods in North and South Dakota. But do we ever see or hear of any aide in the disasters that strike the reservations? No, instead they are pushed aside

[Vinicius3404]

Chupa o meu pal peludo.

Tend poha nem uma desse vídeo faz uma dublagem em português caralho.

[websuspect]

The problem here is US infrastructure. Those poles are placed about twice as far apart as they should be... and of course the reservation should have its own grid supply. Alot of Native Americans are turning to solar...

[selenadelos]

@artruh We do have a common experience here in this land, but experience does not do away with the fact that Africans have populations just like Europeans elsewhere on the globe. We are here this is it, it is our only stand there is to few of us left as is now to encourage any sort of mixing, you may call me names if you so choose. I have one child now I plan more Indian ones and grand children as well your not a outcast unless you choose, but we can not deny reality and no Indian should ever.

[sourheartroasie]

@NewSpeakproductions: Did you hear about the snow in Hawaii?

[lmollot]

in montreal ICE STORM i was there- & so many pple decided to switch to woodstoves/oil heat etc- & doubled insulation- they feel equipped now to face another ice storm-big tree branch smashed a car flat-in front of my window- the apple trees split down-but not the crabapple trees native to region-lets build womens longhouses for more organized unified matriarchy values-why sell our lands which keep us employed for life- in exchange for white mans diplomas-now unemployed graduates are LANDLESS-sad