I just wanted to thank everyone for helping out AndyT in response to the diary I wrote on Wednesday.

As usual, this community has demonstrated an incredible level of commitment, generosity and compassion.

If you didn't see the diary the other day, there are a few details below the fold.

Yesterday, Andy announced the panel that he and I (but mostly he) organized at Netroots Nation, Examining the Maze of Injustice: Our Nation's Failure to Protect Indigenous Women From Violence.

What he didn't announce was the lengths to which he went to get Georgia Little Shield, the director of Pretty Bird Woman House, there.

Andy went so far above and beyond the call of duty in his commitment to the shelter that I wanted to tell you about it, and see if anybody could help him out of a little pickle he got himself in because of it.

This diary is an update on the Pretty Bird Woman House and a request for a few small donations. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this project, it's a women's shelter on the South Dakota side of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation that the netroots came together to help in its time of need.  

Anyway, the shelter has been operating for about a month, and wonderful things have been happening since they closed on the house in February.

One exciting development has been that many members of the McLaughlin community have gone from being suspicious to being supporters. That's one reason we're raising money right now: a youth group from a local church as volunteered to paint the house.

More below the fold.

It's been a while since I have let the community know what's going on with the Pretty Bird Woman House shelter project, partly due to a family health crisis, so I thought I'd give you all a little update (and maybe a break from worrying about the primary).

As many people know, last fall we ran a hugely successful netroots fundraiser for the Pretty Bird Woman House women's shelter, which is on the South Dakota side of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Because of the incredible generosity of this community, as well as the other blogs, including the LiveJournal community, we raised $87,000, which allowed the Pretty Bird Woman House board of directors to buy a new house in McLaughlin, SD, this past winter. For the complete history of all of that, you can go over to the shelter's blog.

Promoted by Andy

First of all, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all the Kossacks and other members of the netroots community for your commitment to the survival of the Pretty Bird Woman House.  Helping this shelter has been one of the most gratifying things I've ever done, and some of that has to do with the outpouring of caring and compassion that I witnessed while I was doing this project.

This morning I received an email informing me that the McLaughlin City Council had unanimously approved the shelter's petition to operate in the house it wants to purchase. This was a wonderful accomplishment given some initial misgivings that some of the City Council Members had expressed.

A complete update on that and the fundraiser is below the fold.

Promoted by Andy. Pretty sad when $80,000 can't buy you a $50,000 house...

I want to update everyone who has been involved in the Pretty Bird Woman House fundraiser on the situation with the house purchase.

After you read this you might also ask: Why isn't anything easy in Indian Country?

While we were running this fundraiser, the City Council of McLaughlin, which exists as a separate entity within the boundaries of the Standing Rock Reservation, passed an ordinance requiring that any nonprofit wishing to establish a boardinghouse or shelter in a residential area get the approval of the City Council first.

This means that  even though Pretty Bird Woman House could have closed on the house on January 4th, they had to wait for a Council meeting on January 7th.

Everyone was certain that after hearing about the shelter, the City Council would just say "of course you can."

Not so.

Promoted by Rain

Here's an update on the netroots' fundraising effort for the Pretty Bird Woman House. Georgia Little Shield, the director, has used the money we have raised so far to place a bid on the house you see in the photos below.

We need donations urgently right now since there was only enough money for a really low bid, so that makes things still a bit tenuous. And then there will be closing costs and a security system. But we're coming very close!

So here's my challenge: At least $10K by the end of the weekend to seal the deal!

(Kossack contingent with Georgia: Rob, Betsy, Georgia, Peg)

On Thursday night, Amnesty International held a wonderful event at the Museum of the American Indian in Manhattan. It's purpose was to present their report "Maze of Injustice," which brought the problem of sexual violence against Native American women to our attention, and to raise funds for the Pretty Bird Woman House. It was a wonderful evening. The museum is gorgeous, and should be a stop in any tourist's New York itinerary.