Help The Omaha Nation of Nebraska
Donation protected
Image
Image © Vince Schilling via twitter @VinceSchilling
On January 18th, video of Omaha elder Nathan Phillips went viral on social media. The clip depicted the Vietnam Veteran playing a drum while surrounded by a group of teens as they laughed at him.
Vince and Del Schilling, friends of Mr. Phillips, have posted information on their twitter accounts for the Native Youth Alliance for donations in Mr. Phillips’ name at his request and I don’t wish to detract or take away from that.
During my time on social media, through interaction with people like Del and Vince, Maggie Dunne with Lakota Children’s Enrichment, and others, I’ve learned about some of the struggles many Native Americans still face, and the incident in Washington, DC is just the tip of the iceberg and current events are exacerbating these problems.
The government shutdown is on the minds of many and we’re four weeks into it.
Native American tribes feel the impact of shutdowns in a brutal fashion.
As the story about Mr. Phillips went viral, I started researching more on the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and found this story by KETV . It was written just the day before the incident in Washington, DC, about the state of the Carl T. Curtis Health Education Center, the only public health center on the Omaha Reservation in Nebraska, where Mr. Phillips is originally from.
The center is in serious trouble.
From the article, written by Camila Orti:
"Do we keep this person, or do we keep the medicines available," Bird said, "it's up to me to decide who's going to stay."
Bird is one of many put in a difficult situation due to the partial government shutdown, which began almost four weeks ago.
No federal dollars for the 2019 fiscal year have come into the health center to help keep it running, Bird explained. The building, which houses a general clinic, dental clinic, pharmacy and dialysis center, depends on approximately $14 million per year funded through the Indian Health Service agency.
"Our CFO says we can probably last a couple of weeks, couple of pay periods, if you don't buy nothing," Bird said.
The shutdown is impacting more than tribal health care and jobs for the Omaha people.
Notices are piling up at the tribal social services center regarding programs put on hold.
"A lot of these programs- they help out with propane, they help out with food, they help out with extra money," tribal member Joseph Saul said. "It makes me frustrated, sad for our community, for our people."
The ugly incident in Washington is just one more stain on the soul of this country, but we can do something to fight back against the pervasive hate and ignorance that led to the event.
Pretend I’m now playing the soulful music as I close with…for the price of a cup of coffee (or more), you can do something that will help the Carl T. Curtis Health Education Center and the people living of the Omaha Nation.
I've set the fund at $1000, but hope to raise it. Should the fundraiser do well, I’ll coordinate directly with the Omaha Tribe about donating funds to other services on the reservation needing funds.
Regardless of amount raised, all funds will go to the Omaha Nation . I communicated with them on Facebook before setting this up and will maintain communication until this is complete.
**I’m aware that many have concerns about the legitimacy of some fundraisers, and understandably so. While I’m not saying “Trust Me, I’m not like that,” I will say “Google Shiloh Walker.” I’m a writer with a public image to protect and it would look *really* bad if I went and tried to scam people. I simply want to help.
Image © Vince Schilling via twitter @VinceSchilling
On January 18th, video of Omaha elder Nathan Phillips went viral on social media. The clip depicted the Vietnam Veteran playing a drum while surrounded by a group of teens as they laughed at him.
Vince and Del Schilling, friends of Mr. Phillips, have posted information on their twitter accounts for the Native Youth Alliance for donations in Mr. Phillips’ name at his request and I don’t wish to detract or take away from that.
During my time on social media, through interaction with people like Del and Vince, Maggie Dunne with Lakota Children’s Enrichment, and others, I’ve learned about some of the struggles many Native Americans still face, and the incident in Washington, DC is just the tip of the iceberg and current events are exacerbating these problems.
The government shutdown is on the minds of many and we’re four weeks into it.
Native American tribes feel the impact of shutdowns in a brutal fashion.
As the story about Mr. Phillips went viral, I started researching more on the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and found this story by KETV . It was written just the day before the incident in Washington, DC, about the state of the Carl T. Curtis Health Education Center, the only public health center on the Omaha Reservation in Nebraska, where Mr. Phillips is originally from.
The center is in serious trouble.
From the article, written by Camila Orti:
"Do we keep this person, or do we keep the medicines available," Bird said, "it's up to me to decide who's going to stay."
Bird is one of many put in a difficult situation due to the partial government shutdown, which began almost four weeks ago.
No federal dollars for the 2019 fiscal year have come into the health center to help keep it running, Bird explained. The building, which houses a general clinic, dental clinic, pharmacy and dialysis center, depends on approximately $14 million per year funded through the Indian Health Service agency.
"Our CFO says we can probably last a couple of weeks, couple of pay periods, if you don't buy nothing," Bird said.
The shutdown is impacting more than tribal health care and jobs for the Omaha people.
Notices are piling up at the tribal social services center regarding programs put on hold.
"A lot of these programs- they help out with propane, they help out with food, they help out with extra money," tribal member Joseph Saul said. "It makes me frustrated, sad for our community, for our people."
The ugly incident in Washington is just one more stain on the soul of this country, but we can do something to fight back against the pervasive hate and ignorance that led to the event.
Pretend I’m now playing the soulful music as I close with…for the price of a cup of coffee (or more), you can do something that will help the Carl T. Curtis Health Education Center and the people living of the Omaha Nation.
I've set the fund at $1000, but hope to raise it. Should the fundraiser do well, I’ll coordinate directly with the Omaha Tribe about donating funds to other services on the reservation needing funds.
Regardless of amount raised, all funds will go to the Omaha Nation . I communicated with them on Facebook before setting this up and will maintain communication until this is complete.
**I’m aware that many have concerns about the legitimacy of some fundraisers, and understandably so. While I’m not saying “Trust Me, I’m not like that,” I will say “Google Shiloh Walker.” I’m a writer with a public image to protect and it would look *really* bad if I went and tried to scam people. I simply want to help.
Organizer
Shiloh Walker
Organizer
Jeffersonville, IN