a call for help for Winona LaDuke

[Kali]

With permission from DU Admin:

Forwarding this message in the hopes that some in the great DU community can help or pass this along

http://nativeharvest.com/contact

There's a "contact us" form there.



From: rezervations on www. nv1. org
Date: Nov 11, 2008 11:18 AM


Friends,

This past weekend, Winona's house had an electrical fire and the house burnt to the ground. No one was hurt. While the house and its contents are gone, the blessing is that all five kids and three grandchildren are safe.



I'm writing to you because I know Winona won't ask for help, and I also know
she really needs our support.

Winona bought her house about 20 years ago and it was filled with art, books, music, photos and other collectibles that
reflected her story and the story of her family.

What will be most missed
are these memories, and we can recreate some of them.



Photos: One positive thing about being a public figure is that lots of folks
have photos of you and your children.

We have a good collection at Honor the
Earth but I'm asking if you could go through your pictures and send photos
you have of the family, especially the kids.

Wasey and Ajuwak were born
before the digital age so a lot of the photos of them growing up are gone.


Photos would mean a lot.



Movement T-shirts and Art: The kids all had an amazing collection of
movement t-shirts that comprised the bulk of their wardrobe.

Winona
basically shopped for her kids at the events she attended around the world.


If you have any political message shirts or shirts from historic activist
events in sizes Small, Large or X-Large, I know the kids would cherish them.


Zapatista shirts are a favorite.

Also gone is Winona's amazing collection of
posters and art from decades past. I know she would appreciate any no-nukes, safe energy, anti-colonial, no-gmo and Native activist art.



Books: Winona had a library that fed her mind and soul, and that she often
turned to for research material.

If you can send books, fiction and
non-fiction, she can begin her collection again.



Lastly, Winona has a newborn grandson, Little Crow, who along with her two
toddler grandchildren lost all of their clothes and blankets.

Winter is
coming and the family could really use any warm baby clothes along with
clothes and outerwear for a two year old girl and a large two year old boy
(Giwaadan is a size 4 toddler!).



These are the things -- photos, t-shirts and art, books and baby/toddler
clothing that I think would be most helpful right now, and would touch the
family most.



Winona and the kids are renting an apartment in Detroit Lakes and will be
staying there over the winter while envisioning building a new home.

Right
now, the best shipping address is White Earth Land Recovery/Honor the Earth
office up in Callaway:

Winona LaDuke
White Earth Land Recovery Project
607 Main Avenue
Callaway, MN 56521

I am so appreciative to have all of you to turn to for support.

I send warm
thoughts and love your way, and deep thanks that we all have such a
wonderful circle of family and friends.


Faye

[bigtree]

1. crap

:(

thanks for posting

[Kali]

3. welcome

please pass it on if you have anyplace relevant to do so

[knitter4democracy]

2. I've got a baby sweater on the needles right now that might work.

It's too small for the little one, but it might not be for her grandbaby.

[Tuvok Obama]

4. EDIT - oops, replied to the wrong post

[Kali]

5. oh wow, hand made is so cool

:thumbsup:

[knitter4democracy]

11. Babies deserve the best.

I can at least knit up some booties and hats. That'll help with the cold. You know, I'm wondering if it would be okay to post this on a knitting forum, too. We can't let the toddler be cold this winter, either.

[Kali]

12. I think it would be great to post it wherever it would help

thanks

[Tuvok Obama]

6. A good way to send books...

...is to order through Amazon, but change the shipping name and address to hers and they'll ship it directly.

If you spend more than $25, you can choose the free shipping option (a bit slower, but it saves a lot of money on multiple orders because Amazon normally charges shipping fees on each item).

[ColbertWatcher]

7. Kick and rec. n/t

[Bjorn Against]

8. Oh no this terrible...I actually worked in her house for a few days

A few years ago I went on an alternative spring break trip to the White Earth Indian Reservation with my college and I was assigned to work in Winona's house for a few days. It was a very large but modest house, which was not only her home but was a place she opened up for many volunteers. She had children as well as a few pets living there, she roasted excellent fair trade coffee which she sold through the Native Harvest store to benefit the reservation. As soon as you walked into the house you would see several enormous bags of coffee beans, and this no doubt brought in a good amount of income to the reservation. The loss of this home is not just a loss to Winona and her family, but it is a huge loss to the entire reservation as there was so much going on there that benefitted the entire community. I hope they are able to rebuild quickly, I send my best wishes to Winona and all the other great people in the White Earth community who are no doubt effected by this.

[bigtree]

10. kick

:kick:

[Tuvok Obama]

9. kick

[Kali]

13. kick