Disaster Relief by a First Responder for the Reservations

Published December 6, 2016    By Helen Oliff

When disaster strikes Tribal communities, PWNA is a first responder for the reservations. We bring rapid emergency relief by providing high-need materials that our Tribal partners request. All these PWNA programs help: Southwest Reservation Aid, Navajo Relief Fund, Southwest Indian Relief Council, Northern Plains Reservation Aid and Native American Aid. This year, PWNA answered the call for three disaster events outside our regular service area.

Disaster #1: Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

First, a July disaster outside our area was heavy rains/flooding for the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Several Wisconsin counties were declared disaster areas, including Ashland County – home of Bad River. In four communities, damage reports include 590 homes damaged/destroyed, washed out roadways, boiling water, and food loss due to power outages. PWNA’s response? Emergency blankets, cleaning supplies, 100,000+ pounds of food, and coordinating distribution through the Bad River Community Center in Odanah, Wisconsin.

Disaster #2: United Houma Nation

A second disaster outside our area was in August with severe storms and widespread flooding for the United Houma Nation. Damage reports include displacing up to 250 Tribal citizens and destroying homes, vehicles and personal effects. The tribe requested food, water and cleaning supplies. PWNA’s response? $1.2M in aid, including 36,000+ pounds of food and $65,000 worth of water from the American Red Cross. On a September 28 follow-up call with Chief Thomas Dardar, he noted, “Every product was a great quality product and everything sent was needed and appreciated. The blankets, in particular, were so appreciated by the Elders.”

Disaster #3: Lumbee Tribe

A third disaster outside our service area was in October. Hurricane Matthew made landfall with flooding for the Lumbee Tribe in North Carolina. Damage reports include flooding for 50,000 people, evacuations, families left homeless or without electricity, and businesses destroyed. By October 11, the American Red Cross on behalf of the tribe asked PWNA for aid. PWNA’s response? About $630,000 worth of critical supplies, including $25,000 worth from The Walmart Foundation, and more than 25,000 pounds of food.

Beyond immediate needs, residents with longer-term needs may apply for FEMA aid or other resources that evolve as disasters progress. PWNA also works with tribes to build capacity in emergency preparedness planning and training.

Collaborating for Disaster Response

PWNA is a national member of VOAD – Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster. PWNA is also a state VOAD member in South Dakota and Montana. We concentrate emergency relief in nine priority states. However, we evaluate other disasters such as those listed above on a case-by-case basis if requested.

The reservation has its hardships every day, but when disaster strikes, it can bring extended hardship to geographically isolated and economically stressed communities. In addition, recovery from disaster is typically slower in remote Tribal communities.

Fortunately, many partners know PWNA as a first responder for the reservations and PWNA is often the first organization that reservation programs call for disaster relief.