Referral Letters

This letter is in reference to the 0/4 Full Semi Load delivered for a "Christmas Giveaway"! About 30 tons of "GIFTS" for distribution to this community.

Unfortunately, while I was away from the high school gym, that night, 3 pick up trucks and a van came and filled up before the "give away" on the 26th! GRRR! This theft was witnessed by 3 members of the community. How sad and NO, I did not report it to the police. I will let the Creator deal with "them". He always does sooner or later :)

On behalf of the residents and community members of the Red Shirt Community of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, we would like to humbly thank the sponsors and people who opened their hearts and donated much welcomed articles of clothing, gifts, the gift of warmth and food for our residents.

Red Shirt currently has a population of roughly 200 people who are residing 56 miles from Pine Ridge, and 40 miles from Rapid City. Our unique rural area has both advantages and disadvantages. Located on the edge of the Badlands National Park, the residents of the Red Shirt Community have a great need for self sufficiency and economic development. The solution lies within us and the ability to look forward and actually envision a future is paramount to the development of our community in the areas of jobs, housing, economic development.

My name is Roxanne Two Bulls and I am the Chairwoman elect in this community and believe strongly in capacity building efforts by this community to help us help ourselves. Your unselfish acts and generosity made a huge impression on this community and we are thankful for all of the staff of Operation Morning star and also the kind people who opened thier hearts to those in need.

I just wanted to email you and thank you for coming to our community. There was so much, I took things to an extended family in Rapid City. I recently let my son (Hunter) go live with his grandmother and dad in Rapid city. I took things to them also. While you were here, you told me about the website, operation morningstar. I finally had time to get online and take a look at it. It's nice. I am wondering if you would be able to help my son's grandmother, Lucy Little? Hunter's aunt Marta had a terrible accident in the first part of December and she was sent to Minnesota. Rochester, I think. She had a major operation and the outcome isn't very good. I know it will break Lucy's heart if she dies over there. I don't think she can bear losing another one of her kids. She had two sons die, one back in the 80's, he was the twin to Dave (the one you met at the gym) and he was in the Marine Corp too. If there is anything you can do, it would help tremendously.

This letter was in 98 when I interviewed Melissa Buckles when no one else would. I was a talk radio show host in KC Missouri and she shared information about US Govt. involvement in the smuggling of drugs from Canada into the US through her "reservation". Over 35 tribal members were killed in connection to what was going on and the number rose after and with no interference or investigation by the FBI...hint hint! :)

Hau Koda,
Caze Mitawa Wamni Wakan Wiya, Emakiyabi MelissaBuckles, enrolled on the Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux
Tribes, Reservation in Montana and residing thereon.

I read a response you sent to Richard Boyden regarding his website and content.

I have known Richard Boyden since approx. 1997. At that time he was a talk show host on an AM radio station in Liberty, Missouri. He had heard about the corruption and sanctioned drug trafficking here on our reservation as well as my efforts to bring the issue to mainstream media. He offered to interview me and others regarding our problems. As a result of his kindness and understanding in providing us one of very few media voices, he suffered. He assisted in bringing attention to our situation which has had its effects on the corruption we are dealing with. He took a chance on us and gave us a voice when no one else would.

Since that first interview I have come to know him professionally as well as personally. I know him to be a man of his word, he is not a well intentioned "bring the Indians to Christ" advocate, he is a man who does good works and views our native religion with the utmost respect, just as my people are taught to respect all religions.

Through my legal work with our local treaty organizations and the contact we maintain with numerous tribes, I am also aware of his work on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations in South Dakota.

His website provides many links and the key words do not necessarily reflect the content of the documents or sites.

I would hope that you would review the content of the links offered on his site. I hope that you would put aside whatever "past experiences" (which all of us have had as Native People) and look with an open mind at the work this man is accomplishing and work together in raising volume on our Native Voices throughout the world.

I hope that my writing has not offended you in any manner. My intentions were to give you some insight as to who this man is and the work he has done & continues to do.

Pidamaya,
Mitakuye Oyasin

Melissa Buckles
Pi

This letter is one of about 5 from my former students at Haskell Indian Nations University where I taught "Introduction to Radio Broadcasting".

I created this accredited "3 credit hours" class which was approved by Haskell. My students stated it was the best class they ever had and I am a FULL BLOODED WHITE MAN! :)

Tribal Chairman, Tribal Council, and people of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation,

The class "Introduction to Radio Broadcasting" taught by our Instructor Mr. Richard Boyden, and which was offered at Haskell Indian Nations University this Fall 2000 semester, was an eye-opening experience. The material matter covered in class is information which is not widely available to the vast American Public.

I am thankful to be aware of such matters as Freemasonry, disease-causing-vaccinations, Native American rights, and a vast array of other topics. I enjoyed researching my chosen radio program topic weekly. This exercise helped me to understand the issues mentioned above with deeper meaning. My weekly research was the best part of the class, because it was a consistent exercise in investigative journalism.

I also enjoyed the weekly class discussions. Being able to be broadcast live on the radio in Kansas City, Missouri was the highlight of my experience in "Introduction to Radio Broadcasting." The topic I chose to research was "The Presidential candidates and how their election may affect Indian Country." This was fruititous because it happened to be the Thursday before the election.

Being broadcast live over the radio was helpful in developing my "radio voice" and also to experience first-hand the necessary work which must be put into only one program. It is a lot of work.

Another great experience was the field trip to Kansas University's radio broadcasting building. I learned how the radio machinery works and how the tight time schedule they operate by is necessary to assure radio quality.

Overall, the "Introduction to Radio Broadcasting" class was the best college course I have taken thus far. I felt excited to attend every class because the way in which class is held is like an open forum, where ideas are shared and better understood. Thank you so much for your cooperation in making this course possible.

This is the Tribal Chairman John Yellow Bird Steel and his wife Anna and their "family". They take in and take care of children that need a home to stay in and they are a loving and caring family.

This letter is now 6 years old and the amount of gifts donated is well over 200 tons because we had the use of BIGGER TRUCKS and could make MORE TRIPS!

John Yellow Bird Steele has just been re-elected to Tribal Chairman for his 3d term as of 15 November 06