Winyan Maka/Tiyospaye

The American Horse Family Self Sustainable Living Project

The last two years have been an incredibly dark time for Martha American Horse. Her beloved grandfather, favorite uncle, mom and eldest brother have all met untimely deaths. Her husband walked out with their 6 month old daughter when she told him she could not return to Rosebud after the wake and funeral for her mother and brother. She would not leave her four siblings (ages 3 through 16) who all feared Social Services coming in to separate them. Martha became family matriarch at 22.

I knew the mother of this young family. She was a single mother, highly independent and loved her children fiercely. This fierce love led her to buy a used, outdated trailer and she had it hauled to her hillside site at Sharp’s Corner. She fixed it up to the best of her ability and said it was much better then living with other people who weren’t always happy to have five little children under foot.

We used to sit in that trailer doing craft work, drinking coffee, laughing and talking about many different things. I told her of my decision to go back to school after my youngest child left home. I told her about the dreams I hoped to accomplish for myself and my children. She smiled, listened and then almost in a whisper, with her eyes on her quill work she said…”I have dreams too!” She wanted to improve her trailer and start a small tree farm as a way to replenish the trees on the reservation and generate extra income.

Their collective family spirit and the land they live on has been out of balance for the past two years. They need respite and renewal and they need everything made new again. Their spirits will be renewed as they rest in Colorado through the winter, hope will be restored as they enter alternative schools. Pride will return as they participate in the design and renovation project of their trailer and their land. Education will continue when they return to Sharps Corner in early summer and have hands on training, building solar panels and a wind turbine for their land. In a second phase, their land will also be renewed and prepared for a natural agriculture garden.

We are currently trying to raise funds for the different projects we have planned for this wonderful young family. If you would like to help with either a monetary or tangible donation, please feel free to contact us or you can go to our how you can help page. We will also be updating this page to let you know of the different fundraisers coming soon!

♦♦If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to call me at (970) 980-1629.  Pilamaye.  Be well, stay strong, and wicosani to you and your loved ones.  Christinia