When someone says that Habitat for Humanity is a give-away program, this should be the reply:But unfortunately this is a common misconception that Habitat is a give-away program , so let’s get this straight, once and for all….

Habitat for Humanity is not a give-away program. As is the case with all Habitat for Humanity International affiliates, Dacotah Tipis Habitat for Humanity partners with low-income families to build simple, decent affordable homes. The houses are sold to the families through no-interest, no-profit loans with affordable monthly payments. Partner families contribute 500 hours of sweat equity working side-by-side with volunteers and learn valuable skills to become successful, self-sufficient homeowners. In addition, the home owner must be responsible for the home’s ongoing expenses such as utility bills, maintenance, and upkeep just like any other homeowner.

Contrary to this, gave-away programs provide goods or services without any form of payment. Those programs create dependence rather than independence. Habitat for Humanity efforts result in responsible home owners who work for and pay for what they receive, or they are in default, risking de-selection from the program or worse…forclosure on the home they have built for themselves.

Habitat relies on volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials to provide affordable mortgages to those in need.  Habitat  is not a government program and has built or rehabilitated more than 500,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.5 Million people in 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. This immense success has placed Habitat for Humanity in the top ten builders catagory in the nation, and boasts the lowest forclosure rate of any home mortgage lender in the U.S.

Join us as we build affordable housing on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation.

If you would like to know more about Habitat for Humanity and it’s very successful program, contact me and I will be very happy to give you the straight facts about who qualifies, their commitments required to become a partner family, and the positive impacts of homeownership on their children’s future.

Call or e-mail me today!
Jim Huntley
Executive Director
HFH Dacotah Tipis
P.O. Box 487
Fort Thompson, SD 57339
605-245-2450
605-680-0402 (cell)
hfhtipis@midstatesd.net

The show is over but the conversations have just begun. Since the documentary “Hidden America: Children of the Plains” aired there has been a lot of conversation about the plight of the Native Americans and about the poverty they endure. I’ve heard comments such as “The poor will always be with us.”, “Every society has its winners and losers.”, “They have to help themselves.”, … the list is long. I’ve also heard comments such as “Our society put them in this situation, so now we have to take responsibility.”, “We have not created the the framework for success.” Here’s the good news: we’re now beginning to think about it. And guess what? We do have some responsibility. We do not want another generation growing up without hope.

Since the airing of “Hidden America: Children of the Plains” many have stepped up the challenge and helped – and hopefully, you’ve thought about it too. If so, GOD BLESS YOU! Your help will certainly be appreciated.

We at Dacotah Tipis Habitat for Humanity believe that helping a responsible, hard working family build a home to purchase is a big part of the answer. It can make all the difference in the world for the future of the Children of the Plains.

To volunteer,

Contact:
Jim Huntley
Executive Director
Dacotah Tipis
Habitat for Humanity
P.O. Box 487
Fort Thompson, SD 57339
605-245-2450 Office/Fax
605-680-0402 Cel
hfhtipis@midstatesd.net

Get your tickets to win this fantastic Native American arts and crafts prize basket.
$5.00 per ticket.

Contact Jim Huntley at:
Dacotah Tipis
Habitat for Humanity
P.O. Box 487
Fort Thompson, SD 57339
605-245-2450 Office/Fax
605-680-0402 Cel
hfhtipis@midstatesd.net

This Star Quilt was designed and quilted by a Native American on the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation. Tickets are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00.

Contact  Jim Huntley at:
Dacotah Tipis
Habitat for Humanity
P.O. Box 487
Fort Thompson, SD 57339
605-245-2450 Office/Fax
605-680-0402 Cel
hfhtipis@midstatesd.net

ABC’s documentary, “A Hidden America: Children of the Plains”, aired last night. The show was well done and successfully raised awareness about Native American issues in South Dakota. We at Dacotah Tipis Habitat for Humanity were delighted that the the housing situation was brought out in the open. Put simply, the some on the South Dakota Indian reservations have the following issues:

• Not Enough Housing

As a result, too many people live in the same house. The documentary showed a house with 19 residents.

• Housing in Disrepair

During the broadcast we were shown mold, lack of heat, and a roof leak resulting in wet clothes.

The girl pictured to the right, Tashina Iron Horse, is affected by those conditions and gave her story.

The housing problem wasn’t the only problem shown, however we feel that for the children of the plains, it’s a great place to start. And, you can help – yes, YOU. The children on the reservations can’t wait any longer. Please answer their cries for help and get involved. We’re ready for you.

To volunteer on the Crow Creek Reservation,

Contact:
Jim Huntley
Executive Director
Dacotah Tipis
Habitat for Humanity
P.O. Box 487
Fort Thompson, SD 57339
605-245-2450 Office/Fax
605-680-0402 Cel
hfhtipis@midstatesd.net

This Friday night (10/14/2011) at 10 p.m. Eastern,  9 p.m. Central ABC’s 20/20 will report on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The program will show the Lakota reservation as a place where the people have fought against poverty and decades of neglect by interviewing a number of residents. Our expectation is that our little known areas of the United States will be revealed, and it will be shocking. Those of us at Habitat for Humanity Dacotah Tipis are curious how much of their housing crisis will be shown – the problem has been out of sight and out of mind for way too long.

The story of Pine Ridge is the same in all of the South Dakota reservations – the tribes live in poverty levels that rival that of the third world. About half the population live below the federal poverty level and more than half of the adults are unemployed. It would take a long history lesson to explain why the reservations are what they are. We just hope the show focuses on the needs of the children – the title (“A Hidden America: Children of the Plains”) implies that. All of us should be concerned about the homes children are being raised in. Stable and affordable homes create an enviroment in which the children can thrive and do better in school, and increase the likelyhood of a post secondary education. This is the root of breaking the cycle of hopelessness and poverty. 
For a preview of the show, see the ABC News Press Release

We are delighted that this show is airing and we hope that you will watch and become aware of the situation. And, if you are are in a position to help, we sure could use you at Crow Creek!

To volunteer,

Contact:
Jim Huntley
Executive Director
Dacotah Tipis
Habitat for Humanity
P.O. Box 487
Fort Thompson, SD 57339
605-245-2450 Office/Fax
605-680-0402 Cel
hfhtipis@midstatesd.net

Hank Henderson
of Dennis, MA

Hank grew up in Woodbury, NJ and moved to Massachusetts to begin a career in Computer Technology. After about ten years of on-the-job training and working full time in the industry, he started Testware Incorporated, a tech company that wrote circuit board testing software. Fourteen years later, the company was sold. Now at age sixty two, he still enjoys working in computer technology – presently with BigBand Networks in Westborough, MA. As an industry leader in digital video networking, BigBand Networks provides the innovative solutions designed to move, manage, and monetize entertainment quality video. You’ll find BigBand’s solutions deployed by over 200 service providers worldwide including 8 of the top 10 in North America.

Five years ago Hank began creating websites with most of them being pro bono projects for non-profits. Recently Hank has taken on a strong interest in Native American affairs. This was a result of reading “Neither Wolf nor Dog: On Forgotten Roads with an Indian Elder” by Kent Nerburn, and was reinforced by reading many other books on the same subject. For the past year, Hank and his wife Karen have sponsored a Crow Creek Native American family living in the Fort Thompson community on the Crow Creek Reservation. His son Mark has developed the same interest and is presently working as an AmeriCorps volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club of Three Districts on the same reservation.

Recently on a trip to Crow Creek South Dakota, Hank met Jim Huntley, the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Dacotah Tipis in Fort Thompson. This meeting was destined to be, and in very short order, Hank was developing Dacotah Tipis new website dacotahtipis.org, providing hosting, webmaster maintenance and updates, and any other tech support he could provide to the organization. But this was not enough. Hank and his son Mark then began to develop a web platform for the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation. Soon, crowcreekconnections.org was launched to become the first ever online bulletin board and advertising venue for the people of the local communities, providing free advertizing and community information online.

Currently, Hank serves on the Board of Directors for Dacotah Tipis, and co-chairs the Public Relations Committee with the Executive Director. Upon retirement, Hank and his wife Karen plan to spend about three months every year working with non-profits, including HFH Dacotah Tipis on the Crow Creek Reservation.

Dacotah Tipis would like to thank Hank Henderson for his absolutely wonderful work, by making him their 2011 Supporter of the year!

Fall is the time of year we see sportsmen flock to the area to hunt the pheasant, but that’s not all they’re here for. The Crow Creek section of the Missouri River is rich with Walleye of all sizes - and one of the best spots is less than a five minute drive from where the Habitat for Humanity homes are being built. The fishing here is good year-round and as a matter of fact, the Walleye are on the bite just as much during the winter due to the flow of the river.

This is just another reason to get out here and enjoy yourself while doing some good. We will be happy to assist you in finding the best fishing spots, hunting grounds, and accommodations. We’ll also provide a few projects for you to work on, and we’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy that as much as the recreation.

Combining a Habitat trip with a vacation isn’t a unique idea; The Habitat donor pictured above with his 9 lb. trophy is a true believer in the satisfaction to be had by visiting Crow Creek in the fall of the year. This area is unique, and sportsman love it!