Power outages forced 35 kidney dialysis patients from the tribe to temporary relocate to Rapid City, and the reservation requires glucose strips, first aid kits and even children's medicine.

The local Wal-mart has sent food and supplies, but in-kind contributions are being accepted. A full list of what the Tribe requests:

•Non-perishable food •Cots •Heat sources (heaters & fuel) •Camp stoves & fuel •Lithium 1, 2 and 3 batteries for law enforcement •Lamps/Batteries/Lamp Oil •Toilet paper •Paper products for the shelters •Pampers/formula •Hand/baby wipes/Hand sanitizer

Ship in-kind donations to: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman's Office Attn: Ice Storm Emergency Supplies PO Box 590 2001 Main Street (Tribal Offices) Eagle Butte, SD 57625

You can also contribute money to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe's emergency relief fund, which has been depleted in the past months. Online donations are currently unavailable. Mail checks to: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe/2010 Disaster Account Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman's Office Attn: Ice Storm Emergency Fund PO Box 590 2001 Main Street (Tribal Offices) Eagle Butte, SD 57625

https://secure.piryx.com/donate/0oFFsK8c/Cheyenn-River-Sioux-Tribe/

I verified this with Natalie Stites herself over the phone this afternoon. (715) 896-0158, Natalie.stites@gmail.com

It is legit. The reservation is still without electricity/water. PLEASE Give what you can, every little bit helps. Thank you.

Its thursday January 28th 8:41pm.

I'm hungry. For compassion.

The Cheyanne River Tribe in South Dakota has been declared a state of emergency due to the subzero temperatures and snow storms since november right up until tonight. It is the poorest community in the U.S. and now it is without any means of electricity, heat and drinking water.

And there is more snow on the way tomorrow.

Celebrities are tripping themselves to pour efforts into Haiti, while america's indigenous people are freezing to death right now.

I have no money. I have no means of bringing them what they may need to survive.

The one and only time I went to Pine Ridge was for a prayer meeting. I wasnt shocked by the destitute conditions, I was given food and a warm welcome. I wasnt disgusted or ashamed of my people, I was recognized, respected and prayed for. I had never met any of those people in my life but it felt like home. There was laughter, there was honesty, there was unity amongst old and young, it was church and warmth and happiness and everything good, all jam packed into a tiny trailor. I've never felt closer to Creator in my entire life.

I'm giving back to my people, those people tonight. And I'm vowing to not eat another meal until their conditions are addressed. Some people walk around saying, they'd die for what they believe in. And this is all I can give right now, my word. This is the only thing I can think of that might change something for these people. Its long over due.

Its scary to think about what might come of this. But I'm tired of the guilt I feel when I eat, knowing my native people are suffering. I'm tired of pretending that just because I'm not there, its not happening. I'm disheartened that so many of my brothers and sisters are in the military services, serving a country that ignores the situations on the reservations.

I have nothing to give BUT my self now. Something has got to give. Something has to spark this change.

I'm hungry. or so I thought....