When the January 21, 2010 blizzard caused a state of emergency for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, the news and call for help did not reach mainstream media until 11 days later. This is a common occurrence when disaster strikes the reservations.

Immediate Relief

Emergency Services

Our Emergency Services provide disaster relief for tribes and seasonal weatherization and housing assistance for Native American Elders. When disaster assistance is needed, Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA) is quick to respond to the tribes in and beyond our normal service area. In addition, PWNA rotates winter readiness and housing services to different communities in the Plains and Southwest. Due to the expense and logistics, we are unable to offer these services to all reservations. We also assist homeless shelters and other residential facilities on the reservations we serve.

Learn more about PWNA's Disaster Relief and Emergency Preparedness

The physical environment on the reservations we support is often harsh, giving rise to a wide range of environmental disasters such as floods, forest fires, blizzards, ice storms, tornados and hurricanes. Some communities also experience acute or chronic contaminated-water emergencies. In addition, 90,000 Native Americans are homeless and 40% of Native Americans live in sub-standard, overcrowded housing. The typical wait time for tribal housing assistance is three years or more.

PWNA’s Emergency Services benefit nearly 54,000 people a year.

PWNA’s variety of emergency services assist our reservations partners with:
  • disaster relief during environmental emergencies on the reservations
  • firewood, coal and winter fuel vouchers for Native American Elders
  • winter and summer emergency kits containing blankets, batteries, candles, water, nonperishable food and other items
  • home repairs when there is significant risk for vulnerable Elders
  • window replacements, ramps for wheelchair access and weatherization of homes for the winter
  • supplies for residential shelters housing the homeless, aged, disabled and domestic abuse victims
  • provisions for children in foster care or trauma

Related programs: Northern Plains Reservation Aid (NPRA), Southwest Reservation Aid (SWRA), Native American Aid (NAA), Navajo Relief Fund (NRF), Sioux Nation Relief Fund (SNRF) and Southwest Indian Relief Council (SWIRC))

Our Services

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Emergency Services Impact stories

Drivers provide aid

When a Native American community is hit by a natural disaster — such as a fire, tornado, flood or, blizzard — it is reassuring that we have services and systems in place to assist in these emergencies. Read More
thumbnail of Disaster Relief video with Duane Yazzie

Duane “Chili” Yazzie, a Navajo Elder and President of the Shiprock Chapter of the Navajo Nation, describes the impact... Watch Video
SWIRC Winter Fuel - Hardwood or Hardship 3

About half of the Elders in Nazlini had no electricity. Many of them used propane camp lanterns to light their homes at night. Read More
Floyd holding winter voucher

Floyd uses propane heat, but has the option of electric. Two winters ago, he ran out of propane. Read More
Elder

“The basic standard of living of Native Americans remains well below that of the rest of the nation… and overcrowding all too common...” Read More
White Mountain Apache wildfires

Preeo estimated that 200 families would receive the flashlights, food and first aid supplies that were sent to be distributed. Read More