Church raising funds to aid Lakota group

By Mark Ranzenberger

Morning Star

The prairie grass is not covered by snow on the Pine Ridge Reservation this winter, but the temperature is expected to plunge below zero this week.

"We are looking to send out wood stoves," said the Rev. Doyle Perry, pastor of Mt. Pleasant's Faith Indian Church of the Nazarene. "The people are very cold."

Perry's church is working to establish a relationship with a tiny church near Wounded Knee, S.D., the Lakota Memorial Church of the Nazarene. Perry said that next week, he plans an emergency trip to Wounded Knee to try to help struggling members of the Lakota church.

"We want to build bridges from our reservation to theirs," Perry said. "The need for propane is very great because of the high cost," wrote the Rev. Cecelia Spotted Bear, pastor of the Lakota church, "and wood for heat, for those who use wood stoves."

Perry said he was traveling across the reservation last year on a hunting trip, when he spotted "an old, beat-up cross" on the rugged landscape of the 2 million-acre reservation. Soon, he found the church, several miles from the main road.

And he found a community in great poverty, with great needs.

"The income level is so low," Perry said. "I just could not believe it."

The Lakota church published a list of Christmas needs. They were simple: warm socks, gloves and stocking caps; pocket knives, pens and pencils, dish towels, bedding; everyday, basic things such as brushes, combs, hair ties and deodorant.

Heating fuel is a major need, Spotted Bear said. She said her church has an account with the local propane company for emergencies.

"As people let me know, we check up on them," she wrote, "and if it really is a need, then we tell the propane company."

Perry said his church is asking for donations of stoves, chain saws, tools and other cold-weather gear for the South Dakota Natives. The Faith Indian Nazarene Church also has set a fund-raising spaghetti lunch and supper for Thursday.

The fund-raiser is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. at the church, 6304 E. Broadway Road.

"The churches in our community always have been there for our people," said Fred Cantu, chief of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. He encouraged Tribal members to donate to help the Lakotas.

"What we'd like to do is share some of the blessings we have received with other communities, other Tribes," Tribal spokesman Joe Sowmick said.

Perry said after the emergency trip, set for Jan. 17, he hopes to make another journey to South Dakota in May with more for the Wounded Knee church.

"When you see people in such need," Perry said, "how can you turn away?"

Donations may be sent to the Faith Indian Church of the Nazarene, 6304 E. Broadway Road, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. Donations for propane also may be sent directly to the Lakota Memorial Church of the Nazarene, Box 197, Wounded Knee, SD 57794; write "propane" in the memo space on the check.