Some moments in life change everything. Not because they arrive with fanfare, but because they quietly remind us of what matters. My first trip to Pine Ridge was one of those moments. I didn’t go expecting transformation. In fact, I went mostly because two friends kept asking me time and again “When ya comin’?” I finally said yes, unaware that the visit to South Dakota, to the home of the Oglala Lakota people, would reshape my understanding of the world and myself.
Read MorePutting people in this situation is not ok. It is not justifiable. The ease with which many political leaders feel comfortable letting such a potential crisis unfold is not only concerning, it is cruel and it is wrong. Leaders need to lead, not utilize suffering as a means of political leverage. And it’s just part of the story.
Read MoreRemote and marginalized reservation communities such as Pine Ridge stand to suffer the most from the impacts of the federal shutdown. For many people on the reservation, SNAP is the primary option to put food on the table.
Access to food is a basic and fundamental human right. To provide the opportunity for families and individuals to eat is not only an obligation, it is simply the right thing to do. In a country of abundance people should not go hungry.
Read MoreDuring a typical winter, we cut, split, and deliver several hundred truckloads of firewood to homes across the reservation and provide emergency electric assistance and propane assistance, paid directly to utility companies.
Read MoreWe’re getting close to the end of another summer here at Re-Member and are excited for the final month of what has been a wonderful season.
Read MoreWe have been hard at work out in the community. The start of summer has brought dozens of volunteers each week, and we couldn’t be happier about it! Connections are being made, and relationships are being built.
Read MoreWe have been hard at work out in the community. The start of summer has brought dozens of volunteers each week, and we couldn’t be happier about it! Connections are being made, and relationships are being built.
Read MoreSpring showers have been making things rather wet and muddy around Re-Member and across the rez as of late. Many folks on Pine Ridge live off pavement, on dirt roads, which liquify in consistent, heavy rains. Many are forced to park their cars near the highway or the nearest paved road to ensure they will be able to get where they need to go. Despite the conditions our staff and volunteers continue to make a difference in the community daily.
Read MoreWe have been busy working on our standard construction projects and making meaningful progress at our Feather II gardens. In the coming weeks we will begin planting in our four high-tunnel greenhouses, where we hope to grow several thousand pounds of produce this summer.
Read MoreThe food truck scene was just getting started in 2019 when I began my tenure as Executive Director, and began to solicit donations for Re-Member’s version of a food truck. Except ours was going to be a little…different.
Read MorePorcupine is a food desert, in the middle of a food desert: The Pine Ridge Reservation. It’s also home to Re-Member’s Feather II Gardens, where we’re growing a healthier today.
Read MoreAs the weather (slowly) begins to warm we have started to transition from our winter heating work to our summer construction projects. Our early season volunteers have been an awesome boost of energy and productivity – cutting, splitting and delivering firewood, building and delivering beds and prepping our Feather II gardens for the coming planting season.
Read MoreIn less than a week, we will welcome our first volunteers of the season. It is always exciting when groups start flowing into our buildings again. The winter months can be long and sometimes lonely—it’s always nice to have the added company!
Read MoreAlthough it is a time of great division and tension nationally – we celebrate that there are places like Re-Member where people can still come together.
Read MoreAs another year begins at Re-Member it is impossible to not think back and reflect. We have come so far. We owe that growth to all the people who have supported us, walked through our doors as volunteers, worked on staff and, of course, to the community members who have guided and informed our direction.
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