February Update
In May of 1998, Re-Member founders Keith and Ginny Titus and Mike Alles drove from Michigan to South Dakota for their first visit to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Later that month, a freak storm in Michigan brought down hundreds of trees. By July, 81 volunteers had filled two trailer trucks with cut and split firewood to be delivered to Pine Ridge. And thus, Re-Member began its commitment to Pine Ridge. In that first year, six trips, comprised of 27 volunteers made their way to the reservation. Humble beginnings, indeed.
Twenty-five years later, we find ourselves in the midst of our annual winter heating assistance program (see below for a complete update), and preparing to welcome our first volunteers of 2023. Hundreds of individuals, school groups, faith-based communities and families will travel to Re-Member over the coming months. We will continue to develop a growing circle of advocates standing in solidarity with the people of Pine Ridge.
We look forward to sharing memories of the past, and aspirations of Re-Member’s future in the year ahead. We look forward to celebrating your first Pine Ridge experience – whether it was years ago, or will happen later this summer. We look forward to building relationships – and building things – alongside the Oglala Lakota Oyate, the people, of Pine Ridge.
We celebrate this milestone of service and solidarity with you, our volunteers and supporters from across the United States and around the world. You are an essential component of Re-Member’s legacy that has been built over the past decades. Thank you.
Even more though, we offer our humble gratitude and unwavering commitment to the Oglala Lakota Nation. Without your trust, and without your belief in Re-Member’s approach to learning and serving alongside you, we would not be here today. As one of the longest-tenured independent non-profit organizations on the Pine Ridge Reservation, we do not take lightly our responsibilities to the community. Wopila Tanka.
Join us this year – our 25th – to Re-Member the past as we build a better tomorrow with the Oglala Lakota Nation.
Winter Heating Program Update
Up to three feet of snow accumulated across the reservation during a four-day blizzard in December. Drifts were upwards of ten feet in some areas. The following week, temperatures plummeted into the negative thirties, with “feels like” temperatures falling to as low as negative sixty. The tribe’s president declared a state of emergency as roads became impassable, groceries scarce, and many households struggled with inadequate heating for the extreme conditions.
Although conditions have stabilized, the winter heating season on Pine Ridge is far from over. Re-Member’s efforts began in October, and will continue through March, as is the case every winter.
Since October, our staff have cut, split, and delivered more than 450 loads of firewood to all corners of the reservation. In just one week, our delivery trucks traveled more than 1,000 miles.
In addition to the wood program, we also assist with utility payments, paid directly to the utility companies that service the reservation:
We assist with past-due electric accounts at risk of disconnection. We make direct payments of $200 to the utility company.
We submit orders to the local propane and home heating oil companies for households in need. 100 gallons of propane is $211.70 today. 100 gallons of home heating oil is $462.14.
During the month of January, we disbursed approximately $20,000 in utility assistance.
Our efforts – made possible by your donations – help hundreds of families through tough times.
Support The Oglala Lakota Artisan Community
Shop our Re-Member online store for an always-changing selection of handcrafted Lakota crafts, paintings and more. We have dozens of items available, purchased directly from local artisans and crafters including handcrafted porcupine quill jewelry, a stunning satin star quilt, and beautiful original paintings and drawings.
All purchases directly benefit Oglala Lakota artisans, and support Re-Member’s ongoing work across the Pine Ridge Reservation.
2023 Season Information
We began accepting trip requests for our 2023 season on September 15. Plenty of availability remains, and can be seen in real-time on our website.
Please visit our website to learn more about 2023 trips, including special program weeks, updated fees, and adjusted group size information.
On behalf of the Oglala Lakota community we serve, thank you for your continued support.