Oglala Commemoration - Peltier Event Update

Below is a copy of the Oglala Commemoration Newsletter from MAY 14, 2020

Greetings All,

I hope this letter finds you and  your loved ones safe and healthy. COVID-19 is taking its toll on many. As you may already know, the Pine Ridge Reservation is taking precautions to include Stay-at-Home orders, Curfews, and border closures. Perhaps if other counties and states did the same, putting people over profits, they could have contained the spread of the pandemic a little better. This virus does not discriminate and knows no boundaries. We urge you all to follow the advice of the medical experts;  PLEASE wash your hands, social distance, and wear your mask when in public places. The virus doesn't care if the mask is uncomfortable to wear, but it is important to do so to protect not only yourself, but your love ones and your community.

The Oglala Commemoration is in its 21st year, an event that involves not only community but worldwide supporters. After much discussion, the Committee has decided to cancel this year's events. Considering the health needs of community members and the already strained healthcare system on the reservation, we decided it was more prudent to cancel this year's event rather than potentially risking increased infections by bringing people on to the reservation.

In Lieu of this year's events and on Leonard's behalf, the Oglala Commemoration Committee would like to announce the 2020 Leonard Peltier Protecting the People initiative. In consideration of the additional strain on healthcare systems and dire need for PPE and supplies on our reservations, we felt that in keeping with Leonard's vision of empowering and supporting our tribal communities we ask friends to consider joining us in supporting this initiative.

As I write this, the Navajo Nation is experiencing the most deadliest 48 hours.   The number of positive cases is over 3000, with a 103 deaths in a population of just 175,000.  Curfews and travel restrictions in place are vital to reducing the spread. Further, the tribes in South Dakota are as well being affected. In efforts to proactively reduce the number of cases, many of the tribes have closed the borders to their communities, limiting  entrance to tribal members only.  The tribes have set up blockades manned by tribal members, which lack masks, gloves and the ability to clean their hands. Tribal sovereignty as well as the health and safety of tribal members are as well at risk due to the governor's shortsighted ultimatum to reopen the roads. The Governor threatens to undermine the Tribal Sovereignty and put the fragile reservation populations at great risk.

We are asking on behalf of Leonard, to protect our elders, family and sick ones, If you would like to help, please order masks from our preferred vendor:

Intelliglide
Attn: Edward Moore
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
Website:  https://www.intelliglide.com/
E:Mail: [email protected]
Phone Number - 1 (888) GLIDE-911 ,   1(888)454-3391

Mr. Moore has been extremely generous in extending a group discount to support this endeavor.  Keep in mind there is up to a 15 day window from order to delivery. Please show your support and patronage.

You may direct Intelliglide to ship to any of the following individuals or organizations: Please choose one of these address for your order.

NAVAJO & HOPI COMMUNITY DONATIONS:
1) Carl A. Begay
2225 E. Lockett Rd.
Flagstaff, AZ. 86004

Accepting: Mask and other donations
Make checks payable to Karen Begay or Paypal
www.paypal.me/KBegayToursAZ?locale.x=en_US     
"We're using any collected funds for gas money. I am taking supplies and PPE to the Navajo and
Hopi Reservations"

2) Klagetoh Veterans Nonprofit Organization
Attn: Mateo Shẽnalẽ
Unit 3 HC 58 Box 90
Granado, AZ. 86505
E-mail: t[email protected]

OGLALA LAKOTA COMMUNITY DONATIONS

1) Cedar Face Foundation
Gail Cedar face
PO Box 6031
Pine Ridge, SD. 57770
Email: [email protected]

2) Oglala Sioux Tribe
Attn: Karin M. Eagle
107 West Main Street
PO Box 2070
Pine Ridge, SD. 57770
Email: [email protected]

Note:  Material and elastic are also being accepted at the tribal office.

Otherwise, the Committee has purchased over 3000 mask,  if you would like to donate to purchase more,
you may contact the committee at:

Oglala Commemoration Committee
1939 Wentzville, Pkwy - Ste. 191
Wentzville, Mo. 63385
Email: [email protected]
Paypal: [email protected] ------>

This list may change, more may be added and some removed due to the command of the areas being hit the hardest in the weeks to come.  Please copy and paste the address to include in your order.  

If you sew or have a sewing group, homemade ones are just as good.
We thank you for your continued support and we hope to see you in 2021.
Be safe and take care of yourself and your loved ones..  

With Respects,
The Oglala Commemoration Committee

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
the 21st Annual
OGLALA COMMEMORATION
Leonard Peltier Day
June 26, 2020
Has been CANCELLED for this year
Due to COVID-19
​

Originally Posted May 14, 2020 at: http://www.oglalacommemoration.com/newsletter.html