How to Help Native Americans Stay Warm This Winter

http://nativeprogress.org

Many Native Americans face a choice every winter between having the fuel to heat their homes, or the food to feed their hunger. Despite what you might expect, there are still far too many Native Americans who suffer through long cold winters in inadequate shelters with little or no heat. Too often, there are no nearby jobs for these people, usually living on or near reservation land, to earn enough money to provide the basics of a decent lifestyle. If you would like to help an Native American elder or a family this winter, then read on.

Things You'll Need

• A desire to help Native Americans Stay Warm
• The ability to help financially
• an internet connection

Instructions

1. 

   Donate money to one of the many fine organizations that are helping to provide fuel and heating assistance, or warm winter clothing, or installing solar heating, or building or upgrading the substandard houses that many Native Americans are forced to live in. See the resources section below for links to some organizations that are helping Native Americans with various assistance programs.

2. 

   You can also donate directly, things like food, blankets, warm clothing, electric heaters, and even building materials for houses. Again, see the links below for how to give much needed supplies so that Native Americans do not spend the winter in freezing homes, with no fuel or heat, ever again.

   Remember Alaska when thinking of Native Americans as the native villagers in Western Alaska have been particularly hard hit by high fuel costs, no jobs or low incomes, and extremely high food costs there the last couple of years, and are still suffering because of that.

   There are Native Americans living in poverty and hunger in every state in the United States, including yours, so donating to your local food bank helps too.

3. 

   Another thing you can do to see that people living on the reservations are warm this winter is to donate your time and energy. Go directly to the most affected areas, the reservations like Rosebud or Pine Ridge and others, and help with building a house, or bring a truckload of warm winter coats and blankets with you when you come. Food is always welcome too. Again, see the web sites, for the assistance needed and how to get goods to the places of greatest need.

Tips & Warnings

• Imagine life without heat, or enough food or warm clothing, this winter. That is exactly the life conditions that many Native Americans are facing as you read this. Anything you can do to help with this is a great service.

• Helping others can be addictive, so be sure not to spread yourself, or your resources, too thin.

Resources

• Native American Assistance Programs links
• One Spirit
• Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation
• Sundogs Warriors Helping Hands
• Au'Inca
• Native American Aid
• Help Native Alaskans