Today 02/15/2010 at 8:35pm
To Friends, Relations and supporters.,
Over the last while, you have seen and heard of the terrible situations and conditions on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
A few weeks ago, I asked you all to participate in a mass phone in campaign to the CNN. That campaign drew major media attention beacause of your help. Keith Olbermen picked up the story and aired it to the world. Also Oglala Sioux Tribe Declared a State of Emergency on Suicide.
I am asking for your help and support again.
I am asking that you join me tomorrow, Tuesday February 16th, in calling or emailing President Barack Obama at the White House, to inform him of the awful conditions facing my people here on Pine Ridge. And remind him of the promises that he has made to the First Nations/Native American people.
Tell him about the grinding poverty rates, the 80% unemployment and the desperation that is leading so many of our people and youth to commite suicide. We are asking that Aide is brought to our Lakota Nation in these matters.
1: When you make your call, please be respectful
2: State in your call Why you are calling, i.e., Suicide and poverty, etc
3: State that you would like to know what the President can do about this.
4: Remind respectfully that the President made promises to the First NationsNative American People during his campaign.
Help me to have our voices heard again, as you did a few weeks ago.
Together we can make a difference for the people. One voice together, loud enough for the President to open his mind and his heart to my people, the Lakota Nation of Pine Ridge Reservation.
Please begin calling during buisness hours which are 9am - 4 pm Eastern time. Keep calling and emailing all day.
I would be so grateful, if you would join me in this effort to help Our Lakota Nation be heard. Lets work together as one voice
Pila Unyape, Wopila Tanka Echichiyape
Respectfully, Autumn Two Bulls
Oglala Lakota of Pine Ridge South Dakota
PHONE THE WHITE HOUSE:
202 456 1111
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faced with rash of suicides, OST President Two Bulls declares an emergency
In an emotional appeal to the people of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Oglala Sioux Tribe President Theresa Two Bulls declared a state of emergency Thursday in the face of overwhelming numbers of suicides and suicide attempts on South Dakota's largest reservation.
Between October 2008 and August 2009, the OST Public Safety Department responded to 96 suicide attempts or completions, Two Bulls said. Since September, there have been a rash of teen suicides on Pine Ridge. During November, the OST ambulance service responded to 17 suicide-related calls.
One of them was the death of a Pine Ridge High School student who hanged himself last week. On Thursday, a contingent of the teen's classmates were present for Two Bull's proclamation on the same day friends and family buried the boy and "sent him into the spirit world," Two Bulls said. "In our culture, we say children are sacred. Instead of just saying it, we need action now."
Specifics about OST's suicide prevention plans weren't revealed Thursday, except that Two Bulls mandated that Indian Health Services and all OST programs assist the Sweetgrass Project, OST's suicide prevention program, "to the fullest extent of their services."
She also called for schools and youth centers on the reservation to develop an action plan to keep gymnasiums and recreation centers open and available to youths on weekends and other "down times."
The state of emergency declaration was broadcast live throughout the reservation by KILI Radio.
"We can no longer have numbers like that," Sweetgrass Project director Carol O'Rourke said.
O'Rourke promised that the reservation would be blanketed with suicide prevention symbols of yellow ribbons and sweetgrass during the upcoming holiday season, a time when officials particularly worry about people who are contemplating suicide. "You'll see a lot of yellow ribbons during the holiday season," she said.
Tribal leaders need education about suicide prevention, said Rick Grey Grass, an OST council representative who expressed alarm about the recent rise in teen violence, pregnancy and suicide he sees.
"We need to step up to the plate as elected leaders and find something for our youth," Grey Grass said. "I'm listening, and I want to help and be a part of what's going on."
Two Bulls called on parents, grandparents and other adults to listen to the tribe's youths.
"It's time to listen to teens to hear how we can help them -- physically, mentally and emotionally," she said. "A lot of these youth don't get a hug a day. They never hear that they're loved. We need to start using that word."
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_f86dfe92-e5ec-11de-ae92-001cc4c03286.html
