My name is Richard Fox and I am a friend of the Lakota. I wanted to take a moment to introduce you to our work on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations in South Dakota.
I work with the non-profit organization, Trees, Water & People. For the last 5 years, we have been working with the Lakota to improve their living conditions and lower their outrageously high utility bills. We have been doing this by introducing renewable energy approaches that counteract the harsher side of nature. Since many Lakota live in substandard homes and suffer greatly from the weather on the Great Plains, we feel it is a good way to be helpful.
Specifically, we install supplementary solar heat systems that produce heat any time the sun is out for just pennies a day. We also plant trees as windbreaks to lessen the impact of the very fierce north winter wind that blows off the Badlands and sometimes creates ice INSIDE family’s homes. Finally, we plant shade trees to give relief from the relentless summer heat.
We have provided solar heat systems for more than 120 Lakota families. We have additionally planted windbreak and shade trees for more than 125 additional families.
It does not solve ALL of the problems there by any means, but it is what WE can do...and we all can do something.
Truth is... we cannot change the PAST where two cultures clashed and much blood was spilled. We CAN though help to build a better FUTURE, where tribal people are respected and we work together to make a stronger and more united nation.
Our projects are successful because we work WITH nature, and by doing so, we blend new renewable energy approaches with traditional Lakota beliefs.
In the spring of 2007, we will be involved in also installing a wind turbine and a solar photovoltaic system as renewable energy demonstrations as part of the “Clean Energy Education Partnership” with the Rosebud tribe. This will take place in May during a two-day workshop. Both installations will produce electricity and will greatly lower the utility costs of the Little Thunder family.
Additionally in the spring of 2007, we will once again take a small group of people to the Pine Ridge reservation to help us plant trees there. It is no doubt very hard work, but QUITE the powerful experience, with most of us camping out for several days in the community of Oglala. There are a variety of other cultural and interactive activities that will take place then also.
If you are interested in possibly coming and helping or want to learn more about what we are doing or help in other ways, feel free to contact me directly (richard@treeswaterpeople.org) or visit our website (www.treeswaterpeople.org).
Thank you for your time and for your caring thoughts and I apologize for cross posting this on several of my tribe sites
Richard
I work with the non-profit organization, Trees, Water & People. For the last 5 years, we have been working with the Lakota to improve their living conditions and lower their outrageously high utility bills. We have been doing this by introducing renewable energy approaches that counteract the harsher side of nature. Since many Lakota live in substandard homes and suffer greatly from the weather on the Great Plains, we feel it is a good way to be helpful.
Specifically, we install supplementary solar heat systems that produce heat any time the sun is out for just pennies a day. We also plant trees as windbreaks to lessen the impact of the very fierce north winter wind that blows off the Badlands and sometimes creates ice INSIDE family’s homes. Finally, we plant shade trees to give relief from the relentless summer heat.
We have provided solar heat systems for more than 120 Lakota families. We have additionally planted windbreak and shade trees for more than 125 additional families.
It does not solve ALL of the problems there by any means, but it is what WE can do...and we all can do something.
Truth is... we cannot change the PAST where two cultures clashed and much blood was spilled. We CAN though help to build a better FUTURE, where tribal people are respected and we work together to make a stronger and more united nation.
Our projects are successful because we work WITH nature, and by doing so, we blend new renewable energy approaches with traditional Lakota beliefs.
In the spring of 2007, we will be involved in also installing a wind turbine and a solar photovoltaic system as renewable energy demonstrations as part of the “Clean Energy Education Partnership” with the Rosebud tribe. This will take place in May during a two-day workshop. Both installations will produce electricity and will greatly lower the utility costs of the Little Thunder family.
Additionally in the spring of 2007, we will once again take a small group of people to the Pine Ridge reservation to help us plant trees there. It is no doubt very hard work, but QUITE the powerful experience, with most of us camping out for several days in the community of Oglala. There are a variety of other cultural and interactive activities that will take place then also.
If you are interested in possibly coming and helping or want to learn more about what we are doing or help in other ways, feel free to contact me directly (richard@treeswaterpeople.org) or visit our website (www.treeswaterpeople.org).
Thank you for your time and for your caring thoughts and I apologize for cross posting this on several of my tribe sites
Richard
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