NIGA Urges Assistance to the Great Plains for Disaster Relief

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March 28, 2019


Washington, D.C. – March 28, 2019 – Over the past few days, the tribes of the Great Plains, have been facing what many are calling a humanitarian disaster with the aftermath of a winter storm blizzard that struck the states of South Dakota and Nebraska this month.

Severe flooding has overwhelmed the Pine Ridge Reservation leaving a large number of the community residents trapped in their homes and has resulted in four deaths as a result of the extreme weather conditions.

Conditions were worsened after a water break; thousands of residents were left without running water, and the tribe is working non-stop to reach elders and those with urgent medical needs.

On March 14, 2019, Julian R. Bear Runner, President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe issues a declaration of a state of emergency for the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, due to severe winter weather, severe flooding and blizzard conditions.

In the declaration, President Bear Runner stated, “This severe winter weather has resulted in a complete closure and lockdown of the Reservation [Pine Ridge], inability for emergency services to adequately access roads and provide emergency medical assistance in a timely matter.”

Bear Runner shared concerns that the health and general welfare of the Oglala Oyate require State and Federal action to help alleviate the condition caused by this situation. Adding, “The effects of this severe winter weather, severe flooding, blizzard condition constitutes a disaster wherein human life and public and private property are, and or are likely to be endangered.

Similarly, the other tribes of the Great Plains have also suffered severe flooding, property damage and limited to no access to necessary and lifesaving medical treatment. Those tribes include the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and the Santee Sioux Tribe.

The National Indian Gaming Association is joining the rest of Indian country in urging all to assist the Great Plains tribes and those affected by making donations. “It is in times like these that we must come together to stand side-by-side with the tribal communities in need of help. We are reaching out on behalf of those affected by these severe weather conditions and asking consideration of any donations and support to our tribes in need,” said National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr.

Below is a list of tribes and how you can help.

Oglala Sioux Tribe
OST Treasurer
PO Box 2070
Pine Ridge, S.D. 57770
For more information on how to donate, please go to oglalalakotanation.info.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
standingrock.org

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
sioux.org/home.html

Omaha Tribe of Nebraska
Tribal Contact:
Jarell Grant, Director Omaha Tribe Emergency Management
402-837-5391 ext. 174
Tribal Address for Supplies:
Please call the tribal point of contact to verify supply needs before sending any items.

Omaha Tribe of Nebraska
Attention: Jarell Grant
101 Main St.
Macy, NE 68039

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska
poncatribe-ne.org

Ponca Tribe of Nebraska
Tribal Contact:
Falon McAlpin, Executive Director
402-640-6104
No Supplies: The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska does not request any supplies, only monetary donations. However, Chairman Wright has stated that any excess funds donated will be sent to other tribes in the region who need assistance.

Santee Sioux Nation
Tribal Contacts:
Seymour Brandt, Fire Chief – (402) 857-2302
Jamie Chinana, Office Manager – (402) 857-2302

Monetary Donations:
To donate online to the Santee Sioux Nation Emergency Utilities Relief Fund
gofundme.com/santee-sioux-nation-utilities
To donate via mail to the Santee Sioux Nation Emergency Utilities Relief Fund, send funds to the following address:

Santee Sioux Nation Tribal Headquarters
Attention: Treasure Derrick LaPointe
Emergency Utilities Relief Fund
108 Spirit Lake Ave
Niobrara, NE 68760
To donate via mail to Santee Volunteer Fire Department, send funds to the following address:

Santee Volunteer Fire Department
Attention: Fire Chief Seymour Brandt
425 Frazier Ave.
Niobrara, NE 68760
Tribal Address for Supplies: Please call the tribal point of contact to verify supply needs before sending any items.

Santee Sioux Nation
110 S. Visiting Eagle St.
Niobarar, NE 68760
Supplies Requested by the Santee Sioux Nation: Please call the tribal point of contact to verify supply needs before sending any items.
Bottled water
Infant and toddler supplies: diapers, baby wipes, and baby lotion
Cleaning supplies

Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association
In addition, the Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association has also started a GoFundMe page to support the immediate needs of the impacted tribal nations in the Great Plains. You can find the online donation go to
gofundme.com/hqgsms-flood-relief-for-great-plains-tribes?member=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_email%2Binvitesupporters