The staff of Gathering Thunder (left to right back row) Lillian Cosme, Todd Francisco and David Fix; (left to right front row) Tara Rietberg, President Denise Iwaniw, Neshi Lokotz, baby Sofia Fix, Nicole Fix and Claudia Nielsen. Photo by James Giago Davies
New safe house in Oglala
Ready for occupancy after six years of groundwork
By James Giago Davies
Native Sun News Today Correspondent
nativesunnews.today OGLALA –– Barbara Dullknife, founder and president of the Wakanyeja Gluwitayan Otipi, the Children’s Emergency Foster Home, stands before a mic in the Oglala Recreation Center, and she tells the gathering, “I am going to London, England. It is scary, but I am going because I want to raise money for the children.” Dulknife is the welcoming speaker at a gathering to celebrate the opening of the new six-bed safe house for children 0-12 years of age in nearby Loneman. She will not bother with a lengthy speech. She tells the crowd “we started this in 1997,” and then turns the attention over to Richard Broken Nose and his nephew Everett Broken Nose, who guide a dozen people through the Wiping of the Tears, a ceremony that ends with the children fittingly completing the ceremony.
Vimeo: The Children of Pine Ridge - Wikanyeja Gluitanyan Otipi
For years the Pine Ridge Reservation, and the town of Oglala is no exception, struggled to protect children from neglect and abuse. During all that struggle, there was never any place for children 0-12 to find a safe haven, until long term arrangements could be made for their well being. But funding was finally obtained through Twila True and her True Sioux Hope Foundation, to the tune of $54,000 annually, and the concerted efforts of Gathering Thunder, an all volunteer group of concerned, committed, spiritually sensitive people. Denise Iwaniw, Gathering Thunder president says, “We are housed in Michigan. Our mission is to preserve the language, customs and spirituality of Native Americans.” Iwaniw says Gathering Thunder actually got started ten years ago nearby at a Porcupine community sundance. For this reason, among many others, the Pine Ridge reservation has a special place in her heart. There was also lots of invaluable help from Gary Ruse, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Financial Advisor.
Read the rest of the story on the Native Sun News Today website: New safe house in Oglala (Contact James Davies Giago at skindiesel@msn.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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