THE LAKOTA’S WINTER OF DISCONTENT

The first Native Tribe to officially support Barack Obama for president is now waiting for him to declare the reservation a disaster. According to a Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) press release, 3,000 utility poles were downed during recent severe storms. CRST Chairman, Joseph Brings Plenty, has declared a state of emergency.Thousands of CRST residents have been without water, heat, and electricity for over two weeks. Experts relate it may be as long as one month to restore power across the reservation. Wind-chill factors in central South Dakota have been subzero. Brings Plenty worries the reservation’s all ready overburdened water system, which consists of pipes running through the reservation, will fail. Neighboring off-reservation communities are also affected, because the reservation pipelines feed those communities. The tribe is very grateful for assistance from the Navajo Nation, Army Corps of Engineers, South Dakota National Guard, and State’s Department of Public Safety.But, much more help is needed. Click here for more information