Helping the families of the Pine Ridge Reservation
Give them a helping hand out of Poverty
This is Cassy Warriors Intreview about living in Poverty and her struggles

Cassy beaded earrings she sells to get food for her family.

Everyday i try to reach out to my Lakota sisters. I want them to know that they are not alone in their struggles. I myself understand clearly about poverty. I recently met a young Lakota lady. Her name is Cassy. She is 23 years old with 2 children. She is a bright young Lady with alot of dreams. I sat and had lunch with her a few days ago in a local place to eat. I asked her some very truthful questions about the life On the Pine Ridge Reservation. And how she is effected by poverty. So people could understand the real needs. And maybe i could get her some help. So here's the intreview

Autumn: Cassy, can you tell me with a few words how you feel about living here on the rez?

Cassy: Um, a few words. Well, i would have to say hard, strong, and sad.

Autumn: So explain why you answered those 3 words Cassy express how you feel to me. I really want other people to understand and know how you feel my sister.

Cassy: I said those 3 words becasue that's what first came to my mind. Hard because everyday when i wake up it's a struggle just to get things done and for people not to think i am a begger. Strong because i have have to be everyday to go on for myself and my kids. And sad because i wish i had a better life.

Autumn: What do you mean better life?

Cassy: Well there are some jobs here but not alot. And i do try to get jobs i tried every where here. And if i got a job in another town i need car and a babysitter. I don't have either. And i sometimes run out of food for my kids. So, i go out to sell my earrings that i make. It's hard to sell them because people here are just not intrested. And if they want to buy them they want them real cheap and they don't understand that i am trying to feed my kids. And to get the supplies to make them is even hard.

Autumn: Can you tell me how you feel about living in poverty?

Cassy: It was something i was born into. So i just except it, it's the way it is. I don't know how to change it but just live in it and do the best i can to take care of my family.

Autumn: Cassy tell me about some of your struggles. Such as things you don't have. Things you really need and why you can't get them?

Cassy: Well my struggles are never ending. Well food is a big one. And, supplies for my kids like pampers, clothes. And, i only have a couple pairs of clothes my self. Winter is coming and it's been real cold. My kids and I don't even have warm clothes or shoes. We walk every where we go,sometimes it gets hard to carry them. Sometimes i wish my kids had a better life. I mean i want them to have a better life. I just don't want them to struggle like this. When i was a kid my mom struggled like this. I remember kids use to make fun of me for wearing old clothes with holes in them. I just don't want my kids to go through that. I remember being hungry alot. So i know how my kids feel. I can't get the things i need because there is no where to get them. I don't have a job so i have no money for anything.

( We had to take a minute because Cassy started to cry)

Autumn: Cassy i want you to know that i am going to get the word out there for you. I want to be able to get help for you not to struggle so much. How do you feel about me doing this?

Cassy: I am thankful that somebody cares about me and my kids. And that i am not alone. You know sometimes i cry myself to sleep worrying about the next day. Autumn you given me some hope i hope you know that.

Autumn: Cassy is there a massage that you would like to share with the world?

Cassy: Yes, why do we have to live like this. I watch the TV sometimes and see all the nice things in the world. Which i know i will never see. I want you all to know that our struggles are real and they do hurt us. I just want to wake up one day and not have to worry so much! I just want my kids to be happy and not suffer any more!

This interview with this beautiful young lady was really hard because she was so truthful about everything. It really touched my heart and when i came home i cried because i know that their many stories like this on our REZ. So i made a care package myself with things around my home for her family. She calls me everyday now and we talk. And i give her support that she needs. She's not alone! I stand with her in her struggles. I will walk and cry with my sisters because i know their pains. I am going to do something about it. I opened up this Blog sit to try to bring awareness to People like Cassy and many others!! Please open your hearts and lay down judgement... I am not affiliated with any Organization. I am just a Oglala Lakota women who truely cares about my people.

If would like to help Cassy and her family here is some info:

Clothing: Womens XL - pants 18- shoes 8 1/2

Kids: Girl 3t shoes 7-8 if possible some toys

Kids Boy 4t shoes 9-10 if possible some toys

Hygene products: Shampoo, body washes, towels, wash clothes, lotion, tooth brushes, tooth paste

Bedding: Blankets, Pillows, sheets, kids blankets

Food: Non-perishable, Dried or Canned

If possible Wal-mart gift cards

Please send to:

C/O Autumn Two Bulls

Cassy Warrior

P.O Box 564 Allen S.D 57714

Call for more info

605-407-0582

Wopila Tanka

Autumn Two Bulls

Oglala Lakota from Pine Ridge

Lakota Women Takes a Stand to Educate

I give A voice to those who can't or don't have one!

I am a Proud Oglala Lakota Warrior Women from the Pine Ridge Lakota reservation. I was born and raised here. I see everyday what goes on here and how much my people suffer due to poverty. And show you the strength and beauty we still walk with. I take stand and fight for my people to bring awareness about the cruel situations we have to live everyday. The unjustices the we endure. In Bringing awareness we give light to these situations. The time for Change is not near It's now! Working together we can Accomplish great things!

The Poverty of Pine Ridge Effect Kids the Most

The children of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation are effected the most from Poverty. People in America don't quite understand the depth of the problem that we as Native Americans face. People on the reservation don't chose to live in poverty. It's something they are born into. And, the odds against the person trying to get out are high. So many children use the education systems to find a way out of poverty and oppression. The images that the world puts out about Native Americans is one of the 3. They are all alcoholics, they are rich from casinos, or they don't know we exist. Okay now were is this problem stemming from (The Media) or the main stream picture of natives. Well, i am here to tell you we are not all alcoholics. The people of Pine Ridge don't get money from our casino, and we do exist. We are the forgotten people! Why because we were written out of the American history. Why?..Because they don't want to justify for killing millions of our innocent people. And they don't want to give back stolen lands. So basically we are America's dirty little secret. But not no more! We are here and we stand strong and many support us. The majority is pro-native. And the word is being spread about how you (GOVERNMENT) keep us. And i as a proud Oglala Lakota women will not sit back and see my people suffer no more. My Lakota ancestors were proud people who gave their lives so i could be here today to seek justice for them!! Please take the time to learn the truth about our people. People ask us why can't you just get over it that was a 150 years ago. So what their saying is that STEALING PEOPLE LAND and KILLING innocent people is okay. Well, here i go again. It's not easy to get over your whole life begging taken away. And beat from speaking a language that's has been around for thousands of years. It's not easy to get over when we are still Prisoners of War... We were put on reservation as militant people. The Bill of release prisoner of war was never signed by the American government. We are still live in a concentration camp basically. So why can't the People of the world take the time to understand this? Most of the world knows about Adolf Hitler and what he did to the innocent Jews. Well that's exactly what America Goverment did to us and still is by not passing laws to bring economical development. To bring us out of poverty. Adolf Hitler got the idea of punishing the Jews from the how the American government treated Native people. I am not saying that they worked to gather, he just got the idea that's all.. So please give me feed back people let me know i am getting the message out there. Wopila Tanka Echiciyapi
Autumn
Oglala Lakota from Pine Ridge

Why have you forgotten us?

1) Pine Ridge is the biggest (most populated) Indian reservation in the United States with a population of about 40,000.2) Median income is between $2,600 and $3,500 per YEAR.3) Although estimates vary, 85%-97% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.4) Life expectancy is 50 years, compared to 78 for the national average.5) Teen suicide is 150% higher than the national average.6) Infant mortality is 300% higher than the national average, the highest on this continent.7) Diabetes and tuberculosis is 800% higher than the national average.8) School dropout rate is 70%9) Teacher turnover is 800% higher than the national average.10) 39% of the homes have no electricity.11) 33% lack basic water and sewage systems, as well as electricity.12) Pine Ridge has no banks, discount stores, or movie theaters.13) Alcohol related death is 300% higher than the national average

Hello my name is Autumn Two Bulls and i am from the Pine Ridge Lakota Reservation. We are considered one of the poorest nations in county. The poverty levels here are outrageous. The sickness due to poverty and genocide are off the charts. The effecst tie into another. But it all stems from poverty and dispare. Our lakota people have endured many hardships and struggles in their life time. And they will continue to struggle until the day they die. Unless we can step in and bring awareness and aide to these people. I am one of these people. I live right in the middle of it everyday. And i see how it effects our people. Right down to my children. I educate my children about genocide and oppression. And how it effects those who have no clue to what it is. To them it is life and they have excepted it that way. And that is the sad part of life here. I am working on building a homeless shelter for the women, children and men. Becasue i know of a man that lives in a car outside a relatives house.

Phone# 605-407-0582

Autumn Bulls

P.O Box 564

Allen S.D 57714

UPS or FED-DEX

C/O Allen Post Office

Autumn Two Bulls

100 main street sd 57714