White Swan community struggling, support needed
The annual powwow and ball tournament in White Swan had to be cancelled this year because of the flooding. Photograph: Amber Bracken,The Guardian.
White Swan, a community on the Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota, is home to 800 Native Americans. They have been struggling to cope with unprecedented flooding, damaged homes, unsafe water, and lack of basics.
Many residents of the Lake Andes area are suffering from damage to their homes that began in March of 2019. Many of the houses still have water in the basement. The water is contaminated with sewage and runoff from the overflowing lake. Many people do not have safe water for drinking, cooking, bathing, or cleaning their homes. Many of the people in the community, especially children, continue to suffer from diseases related to the contaminated water. Many of the homes have no furnaces and no water heaters. These problems are especially severe in the community of White Swan, a housing area on the southeast corner of Lake Andes.
In November of 2019, a group of students from Yankton High School initiated an effort to help as they could. This effort was brought to the attention of the members of First United Methodist Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton. To date, more than $3,000 has been donated to help. These funds have already provided several community meals, including a Thanksgiving meal for 250 people, several heaters, and many gallons of safe drinking water.
Much of the damage still exists, and many of the people still are in need. The local officials anticipate that severe problems will reoccur next spring when the winter snows melt.
Shelly Saunsoci, who is the vice-chair of the community and the tribal employment rights director, in White Swan. "We feel like we are all alone." Photograph: Amber Bracken, The Guardian.
"We hope that many neighbors will recognize the needs of these people and join us in doing what we can do to show them that others care about them and want to help," said Tom and Jane Gilmore, who are members of First UMC in Yankton, South Dakota." At this time, the greatest needs continue to be food, heaters, and cleaning supplies."
There is a very supportive crew of tribal ladies, led by Shelly Saunsoci, who are preparing meals and ensuring that food, water, and other needed items are distributed equitably.
The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference is calling for churches, partners, and allies to help collect items to benefit members of the Yankton Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. Specifically, the conference is asking for children and youth underwear (boys and girls) and monetary donations to purchase snow boots and snow pants. See details here.
Read more about White Swan here.
If you would like to contribute or assist contact:
First UMC, Yankton, South Dakota
firstumc@iw.net | 605-665-2991
Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference
www.umc-oimc.org/online | 405-632-2006
