Projects
Taking Direction from the Community
Over the years, we have come to recognize that community support is our priority. Rather than feeling like we need to “be in charge” of figuring out what we can help with, we ask our Lakota community partners what they might need and then work from there to provide assistance. This method allows us to de-center ourselves from our service work and minimize overt colonialism, a harmful practice that puts the needs of the organization above the needs of the community. We are, after all, a group of friends helping friends; we simply ask what we can help with and then go from there. We have made so many wonderful connections and friends by working this way, that in the end, the partnerships always become mutually beneficial.
“More than a Fence”, 2019. Building 300′ of fence at Gather Our Children Home.
Work in Progress
Gather Our Children Home
The emergency foster care in Porcupine houses up to 10 children in need of immediate assistance. The organization, also a 501(c)(3) is a licensed care facility designated by South Dakota CPS. We assist with build projects and general support on an ongoing basis. We also provide the propane needed for the home.
Education Assistance
Students who would like to expand their horizons at college or through opportunities that can help them investigate careers outside of Pine Ridge can be beneficial to the longterm growth of Lakota students. A future goal of our organization is to provide scholarship assistance for students who might need additional support or who are interested in applying for or looking into education opportunities such as internships, skills training, or who might need college application assistance. As we start to identify student interests, we can start to provide additional support in this area.
Community Support
We take much of our lead from our community partners. They communicate their needs (such as supply backpacks or food assistance), and we help provide for these items by creating packing events in Colorado. Once these packs are handed off to a specific community, they take the lead in distribution. We prefer to work behind the scenes rather than designating how our organization assists on the reservation.
© 2022 Friends of the Lakota Nation Inc.
7819 Notch Mtn. Littleton, CO 80127, USA