Lakota territory is one of the richest places in the world. Perhaps you have heard the opposite. It is often reported that places like the Pine Ridge Reservation and Rosebud Reservation are the poorest counties in the United States.

While this statistic might be accurate through the lens of capitalism, it is far from the truth. As Lakota people, we don’t define our wealth by how much we store up but by how much we give away.

Our culture, lifeways, kinships, and connection to Uŋčí Makȟá can not be measured in dollars and cents. The life of a Lakota is a hard life but a good life!

It is true, however, that many of our people lack basic necessities for a safe and healthy life. So we’re looking for partners to help! We’re launching two programs—one to assist in the winter and one to help in the summer months.

We will place one window unit air conditioner in 50 Lakota homes before next summer. The estimated cost for each unit, delivery and installation will be $300 per home.

We need to raise a total of $15,000 to complete this mission. Perhaps you can buy a whole unit, or maybe you can only donate $5. Either way, we will be closer to our goal of ensuring the weather does not harm our elders and children.