It was a crisp sunny 50 degrees when our truck arrived at the Oglala Community Center on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.Our truck was packed with 45,000 pounds of food,clothing,and medical supplies from the Pennsylvania State education Association,(PSEA),House of Delegates,PIttsburgh and Mission of Love.

This was PSEA's first food drive effort and would not have been accomplished without the gracious assistance of MOL.

Throughout the day members of the community stopped by and gathered what they needed for their families.Community members also packed trucks and vans to deliver food and clothing to families in outlying areas unable to make the trip.

PSEA and MOL teamed up with Can'ku Luta' (Red Load inc.) to accomplish this effort.Can'ku Luta' is a grass roots organization dedicated to alleviating the impoverished conditions Indian people face on Pine Ridge,Standing Rock,Cheyenne River and Rosebud Reservations.Our goal was to deliver food and clothing to those who do not ordinarily receive these supplies.Local community members donated their time and vehicles to deliver supplies to remote areas on the four reservations.Each recipient was extremely grateful.The donations provided many families with a holiday meal and enough food to last into the winter months.

PSEA members,along with MOL contributors,can be proud of their efforts and support of this project.We made a difference in the lives of about 8,000 Lakhota people.

Vast areas on these reservations resemble conditions of third world countries.White ranchers,as a result of long term lease agreements and government programs,control the majority of reservation land.The resemblance to absentee landlords in our poor urban settings is striking.Available housing is horribly inadequate and food is scarce.Many families are hard pressed to heat their homes.This situation will not improve quickly.Unemployment is over 85 percent.

The Lakota community feels the effects of racism,discrimination,and stereotypical attitudes from the majority culture.As a result,Indian people are unable to get loans to improve their property or start a business.Some assistance comes to the reservations through religious and government aid,but the price is always more assimilation and conversion.Much of this aid never reaches those who need it most,particularly those who wish to practice and preserve as much of their traditional culture as possible.The success of this food drive was the reliance on traditional Lakhota community leaders to distribute the food,without any strings attached.

Improvements will come to the reservations if enough resources are made available on a consistant basis without undue interference or control.This food drive is an example of how this is possible.Many thanks to Double J Trucking of Ohio and truck driver Chris Smith for their time and energy.