There have been discussions about various ways to help the people become self sufficient and also how to address the immediate needs of the people. Blackbird is doing good work bringing clothes, food etc. to the people to supply a current need. Pahchoka has offered an idea of starting a sewing organization, and has asked for input. I feel these two things are two halves to a whole. Address and provide assistance for an immediate need and plan for the future self sufficiency and sustainability of the people. Both things are needed and of EQUAL importance as the future cannot be brighter without current help, or without planning appropriate achievements by the people themselves to bring their nation back up. Help from without to buildup within. I would ask that anyone posting here offer ideas, and if they see a flaw in an idea to offer an explanation of why they think it won't work or may need to be changed. I will be watching this and if insults start flying I will contact admins and or moderators to remove that particular post. Let's work TOGETHER to share ideas and formulate plans for the good of the people, and most importantly... so that they may live!

If you dont mind me saying this, The sewing organization must be startet by a native American woman .I say this out of experience .I workt for sewing Organizations who just abused my resources I got nothing out of it and this made me very unhappy .I couIdnt use the items I made to sell it myself .that is not empowering someone .I hope that this give you some input.
rainbow

Another Idea I just had try to get some kids to start a nursery for plant.s that will help them out of their boredom and its helps the children to heal because they are caring for something it will take their mind of themselfs . let me know maybe you have something like this already , greetings rainbow

Pahchoka stated this about the idea "Let the women operate it and chose it's direction-keep the men removed entirely from
it and allow no one to steal the credit for or profit from their thunder." Which if I'm understanding you correctly is what you were talking about wasn't it rainbow? I think it's perfect that the women would have control, it would give them a sense of ownership and importance that is sorely lacking, a sense of independence separate from a man, which i also feel is important. I believe Pahchoka was just offering an idea and help where he could for the women to get this started. But I can't say for sure. It was great input and any voice or idea is helpful, thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. Woman owned and operated... I like the sound of that

As to your nursery, I like the idea, we would have to take into account the natural environment though as to not critically upset the balance of things. I don't know of anything like this, though there is a possibility off of that idea. If children were taught a small amount of natural medicine, not to the extent of medicine men as that is their role. But everyday things that would be useful, they could take the time to store and prepare the medicines during the winter. They could also have traditional remedies for things such as colds, flu, scraps, cuts, burns. It would teach them to be mindful of all the earth provides for us, and take care not to use it up, as it's what heals the people in many ways. This is just an idea mind you, these things need to be discussed with the Elders to see where we might be making mistakes. I really like your idea and maybe others can add input on their thoughts about it and see what we can come up with

These are good ideas and thoughts. I like it.

That is what I was thinking lostwhitebrother not without the help of men .But the woman can take the items they make and sell it to help the family .so that they can prosper there is a great need for prosperity in the lifes of the Lakota people .this is number 1 on my prayer list. A nursery is a place to grow seeds inside a store room and then plant them outside when its warm anough .I pray the Elders give you their Blessing .

Thankyou for reading my post .Rainbow

There is within such a project an immense opportunity for change, and
it seems like such a simple and fundamental concept it is difficult to see how
it could not work.
No more reliance on the kindness of strangers, the ability to clothe the
entire family in requirement specific articles, and a way out of idle despondency.
The restoration of dignity, pride, purpose and the ability to plan, set goals
and achieve them.
A potential exists here as well to spread to other reservations and if it
is not too grandiose a thought even to enable indigenous women on a national
level.
It is a journey like every other journey in that it begins with the first step,
and not unlike a child who pulls them self erect to to take that initial
hesitant leap of faith, then later to stride confidently and then to run, so
it can be with this.
Dedication, determination, patience and the will to succeed will be
necessities, and I have no doubt women of the nations possess all of these
attributes.

a way to be free and made happy

pahchoka you did write to me again ,I dont think its nice of you to dictate to me what to do ,we all have a freewill write what we want to .as long its not indisent .I feel moped.
rainbow

I don't know what feeling moped is but assume it isn't a good thing rainbow, and you have misunderstood
my intent
I wrote you encouraging you to post something about your culture-used the words request and encourage,
also said if you weren't comfortable in doing so I understood. I would be more than happy to copy/paste
my pm to you and post it here or for you do so if you're of a mind to.
I see no dictation in any of that, and in fact it is only an attempt to encourage you as woman to share your
ideas and experiences on the forum as it would bring another perspective and balance.

In that case thankyou very much ,But I still think that I must decide myself, maybe you didnt notice what my vision is, ? rainbow

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I.m praying Rooftopper that the Creator show everyone the way to deal with this problems .It is a sad thing that the Leaders are getting so corrupt as you say ,The children need adult.s to look up to ,Its so importent for them ,I think as soon as people see that things are getting better then also hope will rise .when woman see they can do something to contribute they will feel good about themselfs ,The children in turn will feel this too. Their life is so priceless it is a great los when a child die at a early age .I wish you all the strenght you need for this vision that you have .rainbow

Rooftopper Do they have this small candles we use to keep cheese warm .one of this candles burn for 4hours a person can melt snow with it if you take 3 at a time when there is a no wood around .just to warm hands or something. I did see some where that some kids get frost bites in winter. I used it alot to keep tea warm or soup or oats. its just an idea maybe a stupit one .rainbow

This is a good idea rainbow, would you mind describing how you make these candles? The way i see it a worn out shirt could be made into a wick but i may be mistaken. Growing up, we had to figure out how to reuse seemingly worthless things. A different type of recycling so to speak

Just a thought RT as i'm not sure of your finincial situation. But is there a posibility to send a small box once a month through the mail?

Well lostwhitebrother it will cost alot of money to make them ,You can get 100,candles for 5dallors if you have friends coming from europe to bring you some I will be happy to donate 400 of this candles to you .I think you can cut the cost of eletric bill.s by using this candles ,.

you can make a circle with some stones put the candles in the middle of the circle and the cooking pan on it .And when the pan get black from the smoke you can clean it with some soil from outside it will make it nice and shineing again ,

one of my sisters still clean her cooking pots this way she prefer to do it this way so we dont forget where we come from. .greetings rainbow

I'm sorry i think i may have gotten confused, just regular candles, or a special type of candle? That's very good that you remember where you come from and that special thing is still taught.

yes lostwhitebrother its a special candle 2cm high, 4cm wide+ round the swiss use them to keep food warm in the restaurants on the tables where the people eat I.m sure you did see this already some where .It.s just an idea I had , It can be of good use and it dont cost much . kind regards .Rainbow

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