The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe donated $9,000 to ship 75 tons of to Hurricane Katrina victims in Mississippi.

The tribe gave the money after learning that the Crow Wing County United Way need $12,000 to ship the clothes to Mississippi. The United Way only had $4,000 so the tribe came up with the rest.

"We know what it's like to be without life's necessities, such as electricity and running water," said Melanie Benjamin, the band's chief executive in a statement quoted by The Brainerd Dispatch. "Anytime we are in a position to share what we have, we want to do it."

National tribal organizations are raising money to help the tribes affected by Katrina. Donations for the National Congress of American Indians fund can be sent to the National Congress of American Indians 1301 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036.

Donations for the National Indian Gaming Association fund may be sent to the Spirit of Sovereignty Foundation, attn: Hurricane Katrina Fund, 224 Second St. S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003.

Get the Story:
Tribe enables United Way to keep on truckin' for victims (The Brainerd Dispatch 9/15)
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Relevant Links:
National Indian Gaming Association - http://www.indiangaming.org
National Congress of American Indians - http://www.ncai.org

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