Disaster/Environmental Emergency

Disaster/Environmental Emergency: Two Winter Storms | South Dakota
Affected Tribe: Cheyenne River Reservation | http://www.sioux.org/
Inside/Outside PWNA’s Service Area: Inside of PWNA’s regular service area

Impact on Tribe: In late December, 2016, Cheyenne River was in the path of two winter storms with extreme cold and sub-zero wind chills. Several areas on the reservation were left without electricity, and three tribal members fell victim to the arctic cold, the third not found until Jan. 31. A command center was quickly established by Cheyenne River Emergency Management to assist Elders and families impacted by the storm.

PWNA Aid Requested: On Jan. 3, 2017, emergency aid was requested to assist about 350 people. PWNA coordinated its response through Harold Tiger from the tribe’s emergency management office.

PWNA Disaster Response:

  • 2 pallets of emergency meals, bottled water and snacks
  • 52 winter boxes filled with disaster blankets, batteries, candles, emergency meals and personal hygiene items, and 6 bags of ice melt
  • 10,062 pounds of supplies delivered in two shipments, one week apart, as requested
  • $16,132.73 worth of supplies, including 6 pallets from PWNA

Other: The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe is one of 9 federally recognized tribes in South Dakota. The tribe has nearly 16,000 enrolled members, with a reservation population of about 8,090 people. Per capita income is reported as $14,056 (2010 Census) and the poverty rate is about 36.4%.

For other news about the storm, visit these pages: