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| The Oglala Commemoration's Annual SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE |
| This annual school supply drive is one of our community projects created to honor Leonard Peltier's vision of empowering the Oglala People to have an active role in defining the furture of their tribe. Both Leonard and the committee believe that all have the potential to rise above their given circumstances and to effectively contribute to the preservation of traditional lamguage and spirituality through education in spite of the historial circumstances which sought to deprive the Oglala of their destiny. Given the right tools, support and resource, many Oglala children are able to transcend the dire economic and social situation of the challenged reservation community. The failure to adequately provide for these choldren raises the need individuals to become involved and to help the balance in these childrensfavor. "It's time to listen to our Youth, to hear how we can help them -- physically, mentally and emotionally" There is much need , with dropout rates over 70% and Lakota teen suicide rates at 150 % above the norm for the US, the BIA reports that Pine Ridge Schools are in the bottom 10% of school funding by the US Dept. of Education. High Umemployment, illiteracy, alcoholism and drug addiction, farther fuels the vast sense of hopelessness that many of these children experience daily. It is our vision of empowerment and our belief in the destiny of our youth. Promoting good and healthy life choices. Contributions may be mailed, dropped off, or brought to the Oglala Commemoration Event. Also collecting cast donations and I will pick up supplies to save on postage cost. Mail to: Oglala Commemoration 1939 Wentzville Pkwy - Ste. 191 Wentzville, MO 63385 Pick ups may be arranged in Tempe. St. Louis . LA areas. Please contact us for arrangements. Drop offs: NAICCO Pow-wow - Labor Day weekend, Earth Works - Newark, Ohio More to be announced. |