Low income residents struggling with cold, high energy costs
Posted: Thursday, December 08, 2005
WANBLEE, S.D. (AP) -- Below-zero temperatures, storms and high energy prices are creating tough times for many residents across the poverty-plagued Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
"I think it's going to be a really, really harsh winter," said Natalie Hand of Pine Ridge, executive director of a private foundation that distributes food, clothing and heat assistance to the needy. "The high out here today was zero, and every night, somebody is sleeping without heat."
Celeste Pretends Eagle, a 25-year-old single mother of four, spent Monday night huddled with her children around a small space heater because she ran out of propane.
"I just got done bathing the kids, and I was going to go to bed," said Pretends Eagle, whose children range in age from 1 to 7. "When I turned on the furnace, there wasn't any heat. So everybody came in my bedroom. We just stayed in there and ran the heater."
Robert Running Bear said a program offered through the Oglala Sioux Tribe's energy assistance office ran out of money during each of the past two winters.
Already this year, he said, the office is stretched to meet energy needs at villages and homes on the reservation.
"Were trying to meet all the needs. And when they say they're out of propane, we try to get to people as fast as we can," Running Bear said. "The problem we face is the area we cover -- all of Jackson, Shannon and Bennett counties. And it can be tough to get those trucks in and out of some of those remote areas."
It's also difficult to make limited federal funds last long enough to reach people in need, said Running Bear.
"There just isnt enough money to meet the needs of everybody," he said.
Deb Bowman, secretary of the Department of Social Services in Pierre, said the state already has received applications for federal low-income energy assistance from almost 18,000 households.
"Thats 2,000 more applications than we had a year ago at this time," Bowman said. "Were processing applications as fast as we can. Ive put on extra staff from other divisions to help in energy assistance, to get the funds out to field providers."
The program distributes federal funds to low-income homes across South Dakota, including the Crow Creek and Flandreau Santee tribes. Other tribes have their own assistance programs, Bowman said.
On Tuesday, Rounds said in his budget message to legislators that he might have to ask for state general funds to help the neediest citizens with heating costs.
Bowman said state officials are working with South Dakota's congressional delegation to request more federal money.
"Were very concerned that unless the federal government comes through, we dont have enough funds," she said.
Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., said Wednesday in a news release that he has asked the administration to release emergency heating funds to South Dakota.
"With bitter cold temperatures bearing down on our state, these emergency funds would make a tremendous difference for families suffering right now," Johnson said.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., also has been working to increase federal funds for low-income heating assistance, spokesman Kyle Downey said.
Since there is no natural gas service on the Pine Ridge reservation, most heat with propane, electricity or firewood, said Running bear.
"If people can just be patient, well get to them," he said. "But when its cold and theyve got kids, its hard."
Pretends Eagle said she is worried, too, about the coming winter and the possibility of spending additional nights around a space heater. Her children are worried, too, she said.
"We went out to look at Christmas lights, and my son was counting the pipes on the houses that didnt have any exhaust coming out, because he figured they were out of propane," Pretends Eagle said. "With Christmas coming, he should be thinking about that, not propane. I wish my kids didnt have to worry about that."
"I think it's going to be a really, really harsh winter," said Natalie Hand of Pine Ridge, executive director of a private foundation that distributes food, clothing and heat assistance to the needy. "The high out here today was zero, and every night, somebody is sleeping without heat."
Celeste Pretends Eagle, a 25-year-old single mother of four, spent Monday night huddled with her children around a small space heater because she ran out of propane.
"I just got done bathing the kids, and I was going to go to bed," said Pretends Eagle, whose children range in age from 1 to 7. "When I turned on the furnace, there wasn't any heat. So everybody came in my bedroom. We just stayed in there and ran the heater."
Robert Running Bear said a program offered through the Oglala Sioux Tribe's energy assistance office ran out of money during each of the past two winters.
Already this year, he said, the office is stretched to meet energy needs at villages and homes on the reservation.
"Were trying to meet all the needs. And when they say they're out of propane, we try to get to people as fast as we can," Running Bear said. "The problem we face is the area we cover -- all of Jackson, Shannon and Bennett counties. And it can be tough to get those trucks in and out of some of those remote areas."
It's also difficult to make limited federal funds last long enough to reach people in need, said Running Bear.
"There just isnt enough money to meet the needs of everybody," he said.
Deb Bowman, secretary of the Department of Social Services in Pierre, said the state already has received applications for federal low-income energy assistance from almost 18,000 households.
"Thats 2,000 more applications than we had a year ago at this time," Bowman said. "Were processing applications as fast as we can. Ive put on extra staff from other divisions to help in energy assistance, to get the funds out to field providers."
The program distributes federal funds to low-income homes across South Dakota, including the Crow Creek and Flandreau Santee tribes. Other tribes have their own assistance programs, Bowman said.
On Tuesday, Rounds said in his budget message to legislators that he might have to ask for state general funds to help the neediest citizens with heating costs.
Bowman said state officials are working with South Dakota's congressional delegation to request more federal money.
"Were very concerned that unless the federal government comes through, we dont have enough funds," she said.
Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., said Wednesday in a news release that he has asked the administration to release emergency heating funds to South Dakota.
"With bitter cold temperatures bearing down on our state, these emergency funds would make a tremendous difference for families suffering right now," Johnson said.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., also has been working to increase federal funds for low-income heating assistance, spokesman Kyle Downey said.
Since there is no natural gas service on the Pine Ridge reservation, most heat with propane, electricity or firewood, said Running bear.
"If people can just be patient, well get to them," he said. "But when its cold and theyve got kids, its hard."
Pretends Eagle said she is worried, too, about the coming winter and the possibility of spending additional nights around a space heater. Her children are worried, too, she said.
"We went out to look at Christmas lights, and my son was counting the pipes on the houses that didnt have any exhaust coming out, because he figured they were out of propane," Pretends Eagle said. "With Christmas coming, he should be thinking about that, not propane. I wish my kids didnt have to worry about that."
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