ICWA!

In past years, the state of South Dakota has removed as many as 1000 children from individual reservations due to extreme poverty. These children were often placed in non-native homes, and often in distant states, making it impossible to reunite families. The reservations in SD are fighting desperately to keep these children in their own communities, however, they are not receiving the budgets they need to support the children.

In order to assist the Dakota, Lakota, Nakota nations in keeping their children out of the hands of the state, we want to provide for the needs of each child who comes into ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act) Office from a traumatic situation OR each child who is being returned. We will provide the minimum of what that child will need to remain on the reservation. This will be critically important in showing the state that each reservation can take care of the children.

HELP US PROVIDE "Goody Bags" for the children that will contain all of the needs of one child, either a boy or girl, you choose, including:

toothbrush
toothpaste
underwear
socks
2 outfits including a sweater
A toy, if you can, but no small pieces, please.

or

Baby Clothes/Layette, 2 outfits
onesies
socks
small package of diapers
can of formula

If we can provide this small service, the load on the DLN nation's new foster parents or the reunited family will be considerably lightened and will show the state that each reservation can take care of the children.

We are honored to participate in this important work!

Our goal is to provide one bag for each admitted child, one size, for either a boy or girl. Last year Cheyenne River went through 100 such bags. We have requests for these bags from Cheyenne River, Rosebud, and Pine Ridge.

This will keep the children with their relatives and on their land ... and most importantly, out of the hands of the state.

Cheyenne River also requests the following items to support the children who are coming into their shelter, and the advancement of the shelter itself. Remember, the children who arrive in the shelter have just suffered extreme stress. Anything of comfort will be so greatly appreciated.

• Non-perishable food
• Toys: interactive toys for very young children. No puzzles or small pieces, please.
• Craft supplies: paper, glue, paints, clay
• Movies, videos and dvds
• Sheets, towels, linens of all sorts
• Rugs
• Shampoo including baby shampoo, soap, cleaning supplies such as disinfectant

  The shelter has asked if we could possibly find a good computer to donate!

Many of the above items are not only for the shelter but also to ease the financial burden of the families who will care for the children.

Please send Goody Bags and other needs to:

Attention: Diane Garreau
Cheyenne River Emergency Children's Shelter
405 Chinatown
Eagle Butte, SD 57625

Attention: Marina Fast Horse
Lakota Oyate Wakanyeja Owicakiyape
East Highway 18
IHS Compound
P.O. Box 604
Pine Ridge, SD 57770

Madonna Bear Robe
P.O. Box 101
St. Francis, South Dakota 57572

Madonna has been with our program for years and will continue to deliver items where needed, including ICWA on the Rosebud Reservation.

Send a check to:

Changing Winds Advocacy Center
PO Box 801
Fairfield, CT 06824

Changing Winds Advocacy Center
PO Box 801
Fairfield, CT 06824
203-256-9720
CWAdvocacyCenter@aol.com

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