Two weeks after ice storm hits South Dakota rez, help is still needed

By Lailani Upham

(photo courtesy Kelly Lavaux)

EAGLE BUTTE, SD — It’s been nearly two weeks since an ice storm toppled over almost 3,000 utility poles on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota and tribal residents are still awaiting Presidential disaster declaration.

The ice storm that hit the Reservation on January 21 was followed by a blizzard with bitter cold temperatures, resulting in reservation-wide power and water outages forcing kidney dialysis patients from the area to temporarily relocate to Rapid City.

Cheyenne River Tribal Chairman Joseph Brings Plenty

has declared a State of Emergency on the reservation. The reservation is the size of Connecticut with nearly 15,000 tribal members and 8,000 residents residing on the reservation boundaries in central South Dakota.

While many Red Cross resources are being diverted to relief efforts in Haiti, there is still the need for money and supplies for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, including Pine Ridge and Standing Rock reservations, which all have a full list of needed medical and general supplies.

Crews are working feverishly, but electricity may be out for up to 30 days in some areas. With no electricity, no heat, no running water, and a wind chill below zero the situation is growing more difficult.

The Tribe is working hard to bring families, out of the cold and into shelters. The South Dakota National Guard, The State’s Department of Public Safety as well as the Army Corps of Engineers have come to the Reservation and supplied some emergency generators.

The Cheyenne dialysis patients have been evacuated three hours away to Rapid City in hotels. The Tribe is looking into reimbursement sources from CMS and IHS, but in the meantime financial contributions are needed to help the families pay for their hotel expenses and food.

The local Wal-Mart has sent food and supplies, but in-kind contributions are being accepted. Here is a list of what the Tribe requests:
   •Non-perishable food
   •Cots
   •Heat sources (heaters and fuel)
   •Camp stoves and fuel
   •Lithium 1, 2 and 3 batteries for law enforcement
   •Lamps/Batteries/Lamp Oil
   •Toilet paper
   •Paper products for the shelters
   •Pampers/formula
   •Hand/baby wipes/Hand sanitizer

Mail checks to or ship in-kind donations to:
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman’s Office
Attn: Ice Storm Emergency Supplies
PO Box 590
2001 Main Street (Tribal Offices)
Eagle Butte, SD 57625

Contact are: Robin Le Beau, Chairman’s Assistant (610) 568-2101; Joe Brings Plenty, Tribal Chairman (605) 365-6548; CRST Emergency Coordination Center (605) 964-7711.

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