Small Town News

United Tribes donates money to local dialysis unit

---

In a gesture of good will, the United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck donated a total of $4, 000 to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians to use in a positive way for youth and elders. The donation will assist two different entities on the local reservation, with $2, 000 going to the Melvin Lenoir Dialysis Unit in Belcourt and $2, 000 in assistance donated to the Youth Build Program at the Turtle Mountain Community College.

Councilwomen Betty Swain and Cindy Malaterre attended the 5th Thunderbird Run at UTTC on August 20-21, 2010 in Bismarck, where hundreds of runners competed in a fundraising half-marathon. The tribal leaders came away from the event enriched with inspiration from a man who won an Olympic gold medal through sheer will and determination, to go along with some much-needed funding for their tribal members. On Friday night, (Aug. 20), a banquet and reception was held at UTTC where Olympic Gold Medalist Billy Mills was the keynote speaker. Mills won the gold medal in the 10, 000 meter run at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, becoming the only U.S. athlete to ever win an Olympic gold medal in that event. Mills is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Nation, being born and raised on the Pine Ridge Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. After Mills' inspiring speech at the Friday night banquet, Mills, UTTC Wellness Department officials and UTTC President Dr. David Gipp presented the two tribal council representatives with two separate checks each indicating the amount of $2, 000. Each year, the money raised by the Thunderbird Run goes into a fund that will assist Native youth and elders in wellness goals.

"These checks are going to help out our dialysis patients and our kids who are trying to get their GED at the tribal college, " said Council woman Swain. "I wish a lot more people could hear Billy Mills speak. He talks about never giving up and dreams will come true for anybody. He proved that himself when he won his medal. So we hope that this money will help out in the best way possible."

The $2, 000 donated to the Belcourt dialysis center will go towards the purchase of 7 television sets for each dialysis station in the current facility. Swain also has been doing her own fundraising with raffles and poker tournaments to help pay for television accessories and other needed supplies such as paint for the dialysis unit. Malaterre and Swain plan to recruit volunteers to paint the building before winter arrives.

The other $2, 000 was designated for the youth of the Turtle Mountain Tribe. That money will be used for healthy snacks for the Youth Build students and incentives for the youth to continue their pursuit for higher education. Pete Davis, Youth Build Program Director, is appreciative of the donation to his students.

"Our Youth Build budget is pretty strict and this money gives us some flexibility and we can help out the students the best way we see fit, " noted Davis.

Councilwoman Malaterre was impressed by the Thunderbird Run and the generosity of the United Tribes Technical College president and staff. UTTC Wellness Center staff member Ruth Buffalo-Zarazua was the contact person at UTTC, who was introduced to the tribal council by Twila Martin-Kekahbah, a local tribal member who works at UTTC. Through that introduction, the local tribe was able to apply for the monetary donation for the elders and youth.

"Last year, Standing Rock was the beneficiary. This year, we got it this year and I tell you, this donation came at a very good time, " stated Councilwoman Malaterre. "The dialysis center needed tv's so bad, because the ones they have now are shot. That $2, 000 will come in handy for the kids at the Youth Build. I know they sure can use that donation. This is all a good thing and we need to be appreciative of every kind person who is willing to help this tribe. We're struggling to survive and our sick people, our youth and our elders all need this kind of help, "

Swain and Malaterre were thrilled about the donation, but they both were excited about meeting the legendary Mills. The two women were given Thunderbird t-shirts and Mills signed both of them.

"It was an honor for both Cindy and I to accept the checks on behalf of our youth and elders, but it was also an honor to meet an Olympic hero who is Indian just like us. I hope every tribal member gets to hear him speak just one time, because he's such a good role model for our young people, " said Councilwoman Swain.



Copyright 2010 Turtle Mountain Star, Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 Turtle Mountain Star Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

More from Turtle Mountain Star