Hi everyone,

I've recently had the opportunity to make the acquaintance of a Native
American family from the "Sicangu" (pronounced: See-chong-u)  Lakota tribe
in South Dakota.  This family has left the reservation in South Dakota
seeking employment, since there isn't any in that area.  The reservation
that they are from (The "Rosebud Reservation" in south-central South
Dakota) is a very poor reservation.  They've been living in a tent with
their three small children and are running out of money.  They also have a
close friend that is staying with them and also seeking employment.  The
men are experienced "framers" and also do dry-wall and painting and
landscaping, and can operate a backhoe and a "Heist" machine.  They have
had 11 yrs experience in construction work.

My husband has contacted a contractor that he knows who is looking for
help, and is willing to interview them for a job.  This family (the
"Redbear" family) are taking a bus to Chattanooga this evening.  I have
been in contact with the people of CIRCL (Chattanooga Indigenous Resource
Center and Library on Dayton Blvd in Redbank), and they are pulling
together to see what they can do to provide a place for them to stay
temporarily and to try to get them some transportation and other help,
until they can get jobs and a paycheck or two.  I've also talked to people
at the Interfaith Hospitality Network and Community Kitchen trying to get
some help.  They said they were temporarily out of housing space but that I
could call back later in the week.

The reason I'm writing to the UTC family now is to see if anyone would like
to give a monetary donation or help in any other way.  One of the faculty
members in my department has already contributed some money and I will take
that to the proper people at CIRCL this evening after work.  I will be in
my office all day (until 5:00 P.M.) except when I go to lunch at
approximately 12:00 - 12:30 and return by 1:00 or 1:30.  I'll go by CIRCL
this evening and drop off any donations and be sure that they know it was
from UTC.  I'll keep everyone posted in the days ahead as I learn of any
other needs.

I just want to say that, when I first met these people, they were so sweet
and congenial and cooperative.. willing to answer all of our questions and
tell us about their people and their reservation.  They never once asked
for money.  The only thing they asked was if I knew of any jobs around
Chattanooga.  The mother of the children told me they just want to settle
somewhere and make a better life for their children.  My heart was really
warmed by their sincerity and the "spirit" I felt from them.  Even  though
things are not the best for them at the moment, they have a spirit that
says "We'll make it.", and "things will work out".  Chris, one of the men,
said to me that he "Just wants to be a good father and provide for his
daughter" and that "We are strong people."

If you feel that you would like to help this family to get a new start,
please call me (4411) or see me at my office:  Brock 308.   Or you can call
and make arrangements to meet me after work before I go to CIRCL.  I park
in Lot #11 under the Lupton Library.

Thank you so much!


Linda Hobart, Administrative Secretary
Dept. of Sociology, Anthropology, & Geography
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Phone: 423-755-4411
Fax: 423-785-2251