The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference is calling for churches, partners and allies to help collect items to benefit members of the Yankton Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. Specifically, the conference is asking for children and youth underwear (boys and girls) and monetary donations to purchase snow boots and snow pants. The deadline for collection is December 17, 2019.
The Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota has experienced flooding rains and a series of other extreme weather events over the past year. Reports say while the state has received federal recovery money for surrounding affected areas, the sovereign nation has been turned down by federal agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“I heard first hand from tribal members about the horrible living conditions many are enduring since the summer,” said the Rev. David Wilson, Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference superintendent. He says he met tribal members during a conference in Portland in October. “There is already a housing shortage on the reservation and many people are living in deplorable conditions and suffering from illnesses that come from mold.”
The OIMC provided funding for a Thanksgiving meal and other supplies for the community center in November. Donations can be made online by visiting www.umc-oimc.org/online or mailed to the OIMC office at 602 SW 35th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73109.