Pine Ridge Reservation Today

One of our on goals is to inform the public about the living conditions on Pine Ridge Reservation. So that everyone will see that even a small donation can help.

Population: 46,000 Lakota people one half of the population is under the age of 18

Unemployment: 73-85% US unemployment rate: 5.50%

Per Capita Income: $6,143 US per capita Income: $36,714

Life Expectancy: Male 55 (US. avg 75) Female 60 (US avg 80)

Infant Mortality Rate: 2.6 times the national average National ave 9.3 deaths per 1,000

Suicide Rate: 72% higher than the national avg

Diabetic Rate: 37% of of the population 8% of US population

Children in Poverty: 69% of the children on the reservation
US children 6 and under is 20%
US children 6 and up 16%

Anpetu Wastela

Good morning!
I know it's difficult to think of blankets and coats when it is hot and humid here in Eastern NC, however Fall and Winter come early in the Dakota's, sometimes it snows in September! Folks start needing heavier coats in early October - so different than in Eastern NC where we can go until November or sometimes even early December with out heavier coats - so now is the time to start thinking about Blankets for the Elderly and Coats for the Kids. We do have a place to store items until there is enough for a shipment, so please don't hesitate to start gathering items. Please help folks remember to donate clean, very gently used items. A good way to determine what one would donate is: Can I stand and look the person receiving this in the face when offering this item.
Pilamaya yela,
Marji