About
MISSION STATEMENT
- To educate people about the basic unmet needs that American Indian Communities and families continue to face, and
- To provide winter heat and utility financial assistance to families and individuals on the South Dakota Native American Reservations, particularly on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and assist spiritual leaders for the preceding purpose(s), and
- To help form home-building partnerships with other organizations, and eligible families on the Pine Ridge Reservation to participate in the building of energy efficient, environmentally appropriate (straw bale) homes.
ABOUT THE BUFFALO HEART PROJECT
The Buffalo Heart Project was inspired by the work of The Link Center Foundation, which disbanded after the death of its founder, Audrey Link in 2008 and her predecessor Stephanie Schwartz in 2009. Its core project was an emergency heating and utility assistance program for the elderly, disabled, and sick on the Lakota Reservation(s) in South Dakota. With two untimely deaths in quick succession, winter coming on and not enough time to reorganize, the LCF Board unanimously but reluctantly agreed to shut down.
Shortly after the closing of the LCF in 2009, Atashnaa Werner, active for many years in Lakota ways, and familiar with the conditions that generations of families were living in on the Pine Ridge Reservation, became aware that traditional community leaders were seeking another non-profit to help them continue to assist the elders, sick and disabled meet their winter utility needs.
"To the Turtle Island indigenous people of the Great Plains and Mountain West, the buffalo represented life. The buffalo nation provided the people with food, shelter, clothing, utensils and spiritual tools. The vision that was given to me, The Buffalo Heart Project, is to expand beyond providing annual winter survival aid for generations to come. The Buffalo Heart Project envisions forming sustainable home building partnerships with organizations and eligible families on the Lakota Reservations, specifically Pine Ridge, to fulfill this vision.”
Interview with Atashnaa Werner, Founder of The Buffalo Heart Project
What is The Buffalo Heart Project?
An organization with a 3 fold mission:
To educate people about the basic unmet needs that American Indian Communities and families continue to face today;
To provide emergency heating assistance to the Lakota people (specifically) on the Pine Ridge Reservation;
To partner with other organizations to form sustainable home building projects on the Reservation
How do you feel the need on the Lakota reservations is unique or different than in other cities?
There are no cities, only small settlements. There is little to no economy, jobs or job training. No (viable) hospital or doctors, No (real) supermarkets or grocery stores offering healthy choices; the schools lack everything. Conditions for most residents on the Lakota reservation(s) are akin to living in Appalachia at the turn of the 20th century. I was familiar with people who were in the Peace Corp and NGOs, doing wonderful work all over the world to help people make their lives better. It got me to thinking “Well what about here!
When I talked about conditions in Indian Country often I would hear “Why don’t they leave or do something to improve their situation”. Most people today are not aware that The Lakota Nation is a sovereign Country within the USA. The Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 between the two Countries “gave" the Lakota Nation a Reservation; Established a Trust relationship with certain obligations to the Lakota Nation; and compelled a foreign governing system that often is contradictory to and does not interface well with the cultural / kinship systems that it "overlays”. The media and most people are ignorant of Native Americans histories and Cultures; tend to romanticize them, or think that Native American Indians are no longer here. They believe that the US government “owes” the Lakota Nation nothing.
What are the direct effects of The Buffalo Heart Project on the people you serve?
In the short-term to help meet the immediate basic need for heat during the bitter winter(s); And, to help in whatever way(s) during winter crisis to communicate what the needs of the people are. Sort of like an NGO.
Are there any specific stories to illustrate the needs of the people on the reservation(s)?
In the tribal culture of the Lakota, as with most traditional cultures, you take care of your family. I heard about an (extended) family of nine that included children and elderly: the heater went out in the trailer they lived in. Then the floor in the bathroom collapsed from rot and a portion of the roof in the kitchen fell in. They lived in a tent through the remaining winter with a wood stove.
In October of 2009, than Xmas and then again New Years of 2010, the Lakota Reservation(s) were hit with 3 winter storms of epic proportions (heavy snow and ice with -50 degree temperatures); akin to Hurricane Katrina. It was not reported or covered by any mass or major media. Most people live out off the main road(s). They were trapped in their homes because they didn’t have a vehicle or the vehicle wasn’t working. They ran out of heating fuel, food, medicine. The electricity was down and they were told it might be up to 3 weeks before it could be brought up. That meant no lights, water or ability to cook. Normally very limited cell phone service exists and due to the storms that was down; meaning no means of communication. Those who might have been able to get to an emergency shelter, if they existed, didn’t want to leave their pets to die and there was no way to get hay to the horses. There are many more such “unbelievable” stories.
How did musicians get involved with this project?
Music can be a powerful tie that unites people. It is the histories and personal stories of ordinary people. It is about hopes, dreams, and visions.
Contact:
info@thebuffaloheartproject.org