Winyan Maka (Women of the Earth)

The mission of Winyan Maka is to promote awareness of  Native American culture and to educate the Front Range population of northern Colorado to the third world conditions that are manifest among the indigenous peoples living on reservations throughout one of the richest nations on earth. We are continuously striving to create a support network to encourage self help, healing and a sustainable lifestyle for indigenous women, youth, and families; with special concentration on Lakotas whether living off or on the reservation.

 “Our purpose is to inspire them to embrace their own history and culture. Without them, we Indians have no future”.

Floyd Red Crow Westerman – referring to native youths.

 Consider these statistics for Pine Ridge:

• Median income is between $2,600 and $3,500 per year
• Unemployment rates between 83-85%
• Life expectancy: 48 years for men and 52 for women
• Teenage suicide rates are 150% higher than the U.S. national average; the infant mortality rate is 300% higher.
• More than 50% of adults battle addiction and disease while alcoholism affects 8 out of 10 families.
• Diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and malnutrition are pervasive.
• A federal commodity food program is active but supplies mostly inappropriate foods (high in carbohydrate and/or sugar)
• School drop-out rate is over 70%.
• According to a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) report, Pine Ridge Reservation schools are in the bottom 10% of school funding by U.S. Dep’t. of Education and the BIA.
• Teacher turnover is 800% above national average, and finally,
• According to a 2003 report from South Dakota State University, 26% of the housing units on the Reservation are mobile homes, often purchased used, or obtained through donations, are low-value units with negative-value equity.

From: “The Arrogance of Ignorance” by Stephanie M. Schwartz at http://www.nativevillage.org