1 in 6 Native American families lives below the poverty level. For a struggling family, winter brings many challenges, like deciding between food, medicine, or heat. The harsh winters of the Northern Plains can bring sub-zero temperatures, with the cold lasting for three months or more. 

During the winter, families have few options for warmth—propane, electricity, gas, or firewood—and all come with a high price tag. Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA) helps reservation-based Program Partners like Jim P. in Agency Village, South Dakota, through our Winter Fuel service. Made available through our Northern Plains Reservation Aid® (NPRA) program, this service gives Elders vouchers to help with their heating expenses, offering crucial support during the coldest months. 

One recipient of the Winter Fuel service was 81-year-old Bill L., a retired health administrator and U.S. Army Veteran. During the year, Bill spends $200 monthly on his electric bill and even more in the winter. He explained that it’s a struggle to heat his home and drive around at the same time, but he must drive to his medical appointments through blizzards and heavy fog.  

Bill explained that living on the reservation is “very difficult and stressful. Work opportunities are not readily available for Tribal members, and their low economic status makes them leave the reservation in order to survive with their families.” 

Bill spent most of his early life in an orphanage before reuniting with his mother in Minneapolis. He grew up seeing people in poor health conditions with limited access to quality health care, so he was inspired to earn several college degrees in health care and education. To this day, he remains a big advocate for dialysis patients on the reservation.  

At age 81, Bill finds it harder to be motivated in his daily life. He shared, “It’s hard to get inspiration when your medical condition prevents you from doing the things you want to do. I’m basically just surviving because I can’t do what I used to.”  

Bill said with the Winter Fuel voucher, “It’ll help me survive during the winter. I appreciate it.” He hopes that NPRA donors will “continue to support Tribal members. Hopefully, they continue this to help us survive year-round, especially in the winter.”  

Our Program Partner, Jim, explained, “Winters are harsh up here; we get the extremes, and you worry about people like Bill.” He added that sometimes the wind and ice become too much, and power lines get torn down. A few years ago, the area lost power for an entire week while he worked to get generators to oxygen-dependent Tribal members.  

Your donation this winter will help NPRA support vulnerable Elders like Bill, who shouldn’t have to choose between gas in his car and heat in his home. Please donate to NPRA today.