A young volunteer helps One Spirit prepare food packages for delivery on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in February 2016. Photo from Facebook

One Spirit steps up help BEARs
By Brandon Ecoffey
Lakota Country Times Editor
www.lakotacountrytimes.com

PINE RIDGE—As the winter begins to make its exit food supplies on the reservation are becoming harder and harder to come by. To address the shortcomings several organizations are now working together to assure that no children go hungry.

Over ten years ago the One Spirit organization came to Pine Ridge with the hopes of taking helping relieve the burdens that accompany mass poverty. Since then the charity started by Jeri Baker has done everything from sending a group of Lakota runners to the New York City Marathon to raise awareness to donating firewood to cold and needy families during the harshest winter weather.

“One Spirit people work with the Lakota of Pine Ridge to develop the programs they need for the 40,000 people who live in extreme poverty on the Reservation. Our goal is to preserve the culture and traditions of these people who can provide so much wisdom and knowledge to the world,” says the One Spirit website.

Unlike some other charitable organizations One Spirit has established roots in the community through its creation of its Lakota running team and by building a food distribution center for community members. So when another essential tribally run program reached out for help, One Spirit answered the call.

Young members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe participate in a youth camp hosted by One Spirit in March 2016. Photo from Facebook

“When I heard that the BEAR cave had run short on food we added them to our list of places who receive food deliveries,” said Jeri Baker, founder and executive director of One Spirit.

The BEAR program has become a staple of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation as a result of the troupe of larger than life mascots who urge local children to read more, love life, and stay sober. Originally started as program intended to improve literacy rates on the reservation, BEAR has morphed into a multidimensional support system for children. Part of BEAR’s work includes maintaining, the Bear Cave, a place that serves as temporary youth shelter.

Recently a campaign was started to raise funds for food supplies for youth accessing the shelter. When Baker heard that food was needed, One Spirit jumped at the opportunity.

“I don’t want to hear of any kids going hungry on the reservation,” said Baker.

According to Baker, there now 300 families across Pine Ridge who are receiving regular deliveries of food from One Spirit’s team working just east of Pine Ridge. The food packages delivered to families include venison, ham steaks, sausage, potatoes, burritos, onions, carrots, corn, green beans, oranges, apples and cereal. These packages can be purchased for donation for $65 on the One Spirit website.

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Hunger is a real on the reservation as one study concluded that nearly 50% of people on the reservation have reported not having enough to eat at some point in the past year.

Baker would also go on to confirm that the charity’s effort to fight hunger on the reservation will be expanded to include the construction of several food centers in a number of communities across the reservation.

To learn more about One Spirit please visit www.nativeprogress.org

(Contact Brandon Ecoffey at editor@lakotacountrytimes.com)

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