Project idea / goal
Our goal was to plant the garden with the assistance of KEYA in May 2009, to give the
family the necessary knowledge and financial means thanks to donations of about $3,000
for creating the garden. The Yellow Bull family was to be put in charge of caring for and harvesting the garden as well
as for reporting the current status of the garden to KEYA.
Planning / preparation
We started planning the vegetable garden in October 2008. This also marked the beginning of collecting donations
with the goal of reaching $3,000 to start out. Thanks to many generous donors from Switzerland and Germany, and
the support of Fritz Christen's school class from Serneus in particular, which came up with the largest share of money
by selling Lakota key rings, it was possible to provide the $3,000 sooner than expected in April 2009.
The Yellow Bull family was informed about plans to create compost, carry out a soil analysis, inspect the water
availability, provide work materials and requested to carry this out. After
the last snowfall, the family was to work the processed compost into the soil to prepare it
for growth. In April, the family was to buy the first seedlings and seeds. The seeds were to
be grown in small containers and then replanted outside in May, when the danger of
damage caused by frost had passed.
Preparing the vegetable garden
When I arrived at the Yellow Bull family residence on the Pine Ridge reservation on May 24, 2009, I was struck by the
large amount of poverty. There also appeared to be a chasm of sorts between the family and myself. Two entirely
different worlds collided; first, mutual trust had to be won.
Nothing had been done to the sandy ground of the field; it was eroded and contained few nutrients. Two years
before sunflowers had been planted in two large fields covering an
area of roughly one acre as part of a project. Since then the field had lain barren. At first we worked the completely
dried and "starved" ground with compost that we were able to obtain from a relative of the family. Then we bought
the following items: mulch, soil as a supplement. Seedlings: onions, potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins,
melons, tomatoes, chili peppers, cauliflower, Swiss chard, eggplants. Seeds: corn, radishes, pumpkins, beans. Water
hoses, watering rose, oil and gasoline for the water pump, work gloves, conifer branches for covering the
greenhouse, water sprinklers, organic pesticides, wood for building a greenhouse, missing parts for the water pump,
string.
After just one week in which we experienced pleasant temperatures – it was rather cool
and rainy – half an acre of ground, i.e. roughly half of the entire area available,
had been worked and planted with different crops.
The second field of the same size was not yet planted.
It was possible to banish the first parasites such as potato bugs, caterpillars, grasshoppers and ants by using
organic substances. The weather in the 2nd week was characterized by heat, stormy winds, dryness and violent
thunderstorms with heavy rainfall. The water pump had to be repaired. In addition, the following items were
obtained: potato sacks, plastic barrels, manure obtained from a farmer, a mini plow, barrow (with flat tire), hoes,
shovels, rakes. The greenhouse was a rudimentary construction made from wire mesh, wood poles, and conifer
branches. It was primarily intended for the plants that grow on vines such as tomato, peppers, and beans.
As the heat increased, the Yellow Bull family came out to the vegetable field less and less.
I did most of the work in the 2nd week. Until that time, the weather had been ideal and offered optimum conditions
for perfect and rapid growth. When rain and cold temperatures were predicted for the 3rd week, and my own
strength slowly started to wane, I decided to put the garden under the care of the Yellow Bull family for a few days.
It rained continuously for 7 days, and temperatures ranged between 42.8 – 53.6 °F. This posed no problem for the
plants. After my return at the beginning of the 4th week, the potatoes, corn, radishes and onions had grown strongly
out of the ground. Again, the heavy rain and the subsequent sunshine again offered the best conditions for good
and quick growth.
Of the plants that had been replanted outside, the Swiss chard had thrived particularly well. The cauliflower had
been strongly infested with parasites. Melon, pumpkins, zucchini and cucumber were also infested with parasites,
despite having been treated with the organic pesticides. The tomatoes, chili peppers and eggplants, which were well
protected in the greenhouse, grew excellently and had already started to blossom.
Irrigating the half an acre of area with the water hoses turned out to be a very complex undertaking. The irrigation
system which leads water from the source, into the hose, into
the water tank, through the water pump, into the hose and then finally to the field needs to
be optimized. In my opinion, dripping hoses would have to be spread over the entire field.
Successful harvest
According to the report given by the Yellow Bull family, on July 21 Delores Yellow Bull was already able to harvest
onions and the Swiss chard, which she prepared for the family dinner. On July 30, it turned cold again, but not cold
enough to produce any frost. We are also spared any damage from hail during the entire period -- something we
feared -- and were able to start making our own compost pile.
Conclusion
In spite of the many hours of hard work, we had a great time. I can truly understand this family and wish it all the
success possible for the future. Although planting the vegetable garden is now appearing to be a success, I am not
certain about the long-term outlook of such a project carried out in this manner and in this type of environment. The
external adverse conditions such as the weather, parasites, and soil conditions are major obstacles and arguments
against growing vegetables in an open field. Of course, there are crops that thrive better and are less susceptible to
parasites than others. The exposed location of the field seemed to me to be not particularly suitable. More
greenhouses would be needed here which afford protection against external influences and offer better control.
A better solution would be to grow vegetables on the reservation in collaboration with local farmers and in protected
greenhouses. This would minimize expenses and reduce the overall risks. The Lakota could subsequently sell the
vegetables at affordable prices on the reservation so that the population there would not have to pay an exorbitant
$2.40 for a chili pepper - something hardly anyone there can afford. Lakota leaders could cooperate with the whites.
Another practical idea would be to create shared or community gardens to be cared for by the Lakota. Outside
support could take on the form of mediating knowledge to them, but the real role models ought to come from their
own ranks.
To me, the Lakota do not appear to be avid gardeners. Outside support for a project in a different area would
probably mesh better with their culture. Despite assistance from the outside, they do not want to be patronized;
instead, they wish to go their own way. It remains to be seen which path they will ultimately take. At any rate,
leaders from their own ranks
are needed who can inspire and motivate others to take their futures into their own hands.
To ensure a long-term, positive development on the reservation, the US government must provide the proper
infrastructure such as electricity, running clean water, sanitary facilities, and decent housing. Moreover, structures,
systems and jobs must be created. Federal subsidies alone will not improve living conditions and solve the problems
of this people and its land. The poverty can only be overcome through the combined effort of those who live within
and outside the reservation. My recommendation for the Lakota would be: they should live according to their inner
conscious and integrate their traditional values with contemporary ones. The answer is theirs". And trying to
reconcile tradition with modernity can become a worthwhile endeavor for them.
„We preferred our own way of living. We were no expense to the government.
All we wanted was peace and to be left alone.” Crazy Horse, Oglala Lakota, 1877
We are eager to see how the garden will continue to be cared for, and we wish the
Yellow Bull family a good harvest. For further information on how things continue to visite our website.
We thank all donors very sincerely for the generous support that made this project possible and helped this family a
new perspective.
We also support other projects such as:
Thank you !
Pilamaya ye !
Sabrina & Saphira
Our goal was to plant the garden with the assistance of KEYA in May 2009, to give the
family the necessary knowledge and financial means thanks to donations of about $3,000
for creating the garden. The Yellow Bull family was to be put in charge of caring for and harvesting the garden as well
as for reporting the current status of the garden to KEYA.
Planning / preparation
We started planning the vegetable garden in October 2008. This also marked the beginning of collecting donations
with the goal of reaching $3,000 to start out. Thanks to many generous donors from Switzerland and Germany, and
the support of Fritz Christen's school class from Serneus in particular, which came up with the largest share of money
by selling Lakota key rings, it was possible to provide the $3,000 sooner than expected in April 2009.
The Yellow Bull family was informed about plans to create compost, carry out a soil analysis, inspect the water
availability, provide work materials and requested to carry this out. After
the last snowfall, the family was to work the processed compost into the soil to prepare it
for growth. In April, the family was to buy the first seedlings and seeds. The seeds were to
be grown in small containers and then replanted outside in May, when the danger of
damage caused by frost had passed.
Preparing the vegetable garden
When I arrived at the Yellow Bull family residence on the Pine Ridge reservation on May 24, 2009, I was struck by the
large amount of poverty. There also appeared to be a chasm of sorts between the family and myself. Two entirely
different worlds collided; first, mutual trust had to be won.
Nothing had been done to the sandy ground of the field; it was eroded and contained few nutrients. Two years
before sunflowers had been planted in two large fields covering an
area of roughly one acre as part of a project. Since then the field had lain barren. At first we worked the completely
dried and "starved" ground with compost that we were able to obtain from a relative of the family. Then we bought
the following items: mulch, soil as a supplement. Seedlings: onions, potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins,
melons, tomatoes, chili peppers, cauliflower, Swiss chard, eggplants. Seeds: corn, radishes, pumpkins, beans. Water
hoses, watering rose, oil and gasoline for the water pump, work gloves, conifer branches for covering the
greenhouse, water sprinklers, organic pesticides, wood for building a greenhouse, missing parts for the water pump,
string.
After just one week in which we experienced pleasant temperatures – it was rather cool
and rainy – half an acre of ground, i.e. roughly half of the entire area available,
had been worked and planted with different crops.
The second field of the same size was not yet planted.
It was possible to banish the first parasites such as potato bugs, caterpillars, grasshoppers and ants by using
organic substances. The weather in the 2nd week was characterized by heat, stormy winds, dryness and violent
thunderstorms with heavy rainfall. The water pump had to be repaired. In addition, the following items were
obtained: potato sacks, plastic barrels, manure obtained from a farmer, a mini plow, barrow (with flat tire), hoes,
shovels, rakes. The greenhouse was a rudimentary construction made from wire mesh, wood poles, and conifer
branches. It was primarily intended for the plants that grow on vines such as tomato, peppers, and beans.
As the heat increased, the Yellow Bull family came out to the vegetable field less and less.
I did most of the work in the 2nd week. Until that time, the weather had been ideal and offered optimum conditions
for perfect and rapid growth. When rain and cold temperatures were predicted for the 3rd week, and my own
strength slowly started to wane, I decided to put the garden under the care of the Yellow Bull family for a few days.
It rained continuously for 7 days, and temperatures ranged between 42.8 – 53.6 °F. This posed no problem for the
plants. After my return at the beginning of the 4th week, the potatoes, corn, radishes and onions had grown strongly
out of the ground. Again, the heavy rain and the subsequent sunshine again offered the best conditions for good
and quick growth.
Of the plants that had been replanted outside, the Swiss chard had thrived particularly well. The cauliflower had
been strongly infested with parasites. Melon, pumpkins, zucchini and cucumber were also infested with parasites,
despite having been treated with the organic pesticides. The tomatoes, chili peppers and eggplants, which were well
protected in the greenhouse, grew excellently and had already started to blossom.
Irrigating the half an acre of area with the water hoses turned out to be a very complex undertaking. The irrigation
system which leads water from the source, into the hose, into
the water tank, through the water pump, into the hose and then finally to the field needs to
be optimized. In my opinion, dripping hoses would have to be spread over the entire field.
Successful harvest
According to the report given by the Yellow Bull family, on July 21 Delores Yellow Bull was already able to harvest
onions and the Swiss chard, which she prepared for the family dinner. On July 30, it turned cold again, but not cold
enough to produce any frost. We are also spared any damage from hail during the entire period -- something we
feared -- and were able to start making our own compost pile.
Conclusion
In spite of the many hours of hard work, we had a great time. I can truly understand this family and wish it all the
success possible for the future. Although planting the vegetable garden is now appearing to be a success, I am not
certain about the long-term outlook of such a project carried out in this manner and in this type of environment. The
external adverse conditions such as the weather, parasites, and soil conditions are major obstacles and arguments
against growing vegetables in an open field. Of course, there are crops that thrive better and are less susceptible to
parasites than others. The exposed location of the field seemed to me to be not particularly suitable. More
greenhouses would be needed here which afford protection against external influences and offer better control.
A better solution would be to grow vegetables on the reservation in collaboration with local farmers and in protected
greenhouses. This would minimize expenses and reduce the overall risks. The Lakota could subsequently sell the
vegetables at affordable prices on the reservation so that the population there would not have to pay an exorbitant
$2.40 for a chili pepper - something hardly anyone there can afford. Lakota leaders could cooperate with the whites.
Another practical idea would be to create shared or community gardens to be cared for by the Lakota. Outside
support could take on the form of mediating knowledge to them, but the real role models ought to come from their
own ranks.
To me, the Lakota do not appear to be avid gardeners. Outside support for a project in a different area would
probably mesh better with their culture. Despite assistance from the outside, they do not want to be patronized;
instead, they wish to go their own way. It remains to be seen which path they will ultimately take. At any rate,
leaders from their own ranks
are needed who can inspire and motivate others to take their futures into their own hands.
To ensure a long-term, positive development on the reservation, the US government must provide the proper
infrastructure such as electricity, running clean water, sanitary facilities, and decent housing. Moreover, structures,
systems and jobs must be created. Federal subsidies alone will not improve living conditions and solve the problems
of this people and its land. The poverty can only be overcome through the combined effort of those who live within
and outside the reservation. My recommendation for the Lakota would be: they should live according to their inner
conscious and integrate their traditional values with contemporary ones. The answer is theirs". And trying to
reconcile tradition with modernity can become a worthwhile endeavor for them.
„We preferred our own way of living. We were no expense to the government.
All we wanted was peace and to be left alone.” Crazy Horse, Oglala Lakota, 1877
We are eager to see how the garden will continue to be cared for, and we wish the
Yellow Bull family a good harvest. For further information on how things continue to visite our website.
We thank all donors very sincerely for the generous support that made this project possible and helped this family a
new perspective.
We also support other projects such as:
- The "Share" food project from One Spirit (food and other deliveries for everyday life)
- Improving the standard of living for families by selling their craftwork on our websites
- and in selected retail stores
- Children sponsorships – under construction
- Kili Radio – the only and important radio station on the reservation
- Initiatives for the protection of the Sacred Bear Butte Mountain in Sturgis, S.D.
- Horsemanship organization – sponsoring the interaction between children and horses
Thank you !
Pilamaya ye !
Sabrina & Saphira
KEYA Vegetable Garden Project on the Pine Ridge
Reservation
Yellow Bull Family, Horn Cloud Place
Reservation
Yellow Bull Family, Horn Cloud Place
R e v i v e t h e L a k o t a W a y O f L i f e
D i e L a k o t a K u l t u r w i e d e r b e l e b e n
Fall 2008 – Summer 2009
Initial situation
The Lakota Indians, once a proud and strong people, have virtually lost their will to
lead a normal life due to more than a century of constant repression and having their
traditional way of life banned by the white man. Today, unemployment, a massively
curtailed life expectancy, alcoholism, diabetes, and poverty have come to dominate
their lives. Dependency on federal aid is widespread; finding work is nearly
impossible. On the Pine Ridge reservation, located in the US state of South Dakota,
there is little hope; the population there only gets by with the bare necessities.
Disorientation and hopelessness have become commonplace. The uprooted Lakota
no longer know where to go and where they belong.
It appears that they are not progressing, either physically or mentally. Nevertheless,
there are occasional signs of activity.
There are gleams of hope, but how are the Lakota supposed to fan a small spark into
a bright fire of renewed drive and vigor? They live in the balance between tradition
and modernism. Old values have been "remodelled." Their language, their songs,
dances, and rituals, their artful craftwork – have not been entirely lost. Yet if the
Lakota want to be autonomous and live the good life, then they must act today!
Helping people to help themselves is one way that the Lakota can escape the misery
of dreary routine life and regain a sense of hope. Healthy nutrition is the foundation
for a good life. The Yellow Bull family from Pine Ridge was ready to follow their
ancestors' footsteps who had planted corn and vegetables for their own consumption
on its fields on the Horn Cloud Place. Their grandfather was Chief Charles Red Cloud
who descended from the Red Cloud clan, named after the famous chief Red Cloud.
Saphira Iroegbu got to know the Yellow Bull family in the spring of 2008 during the
Crazy Horse Memorial horseback ride.
The family, which in the meantime has grown to 10 members, wished to be able to
eat healthy and fresh vegetables from their own field and, in the process, reduce its
dependency on federal aid. Saphira Iroegbu and myself, Sabrina Steinmetz, of KEYA
thought that the time and money invested would be worthwhile in light of the family's
experience with former projects as well as its willingness to maintain its own
vegetable garden.
Initial situation
The Lakota Indians, once a proud and strong people, have virtually lost their will to
lead a normal life due to more than a century of constant repression and having their
traditional way of life banned by the white man. Today, unemployment, a massively
curtailed life expectancy, alcoholism, diabetes, and poverty have come to dominate
their lives. Dependency on federal aid is widespread; finding work is nearly
impossible. On the Pine Ridge reservation, located in the US state of South Dakota,
there is little hope; the population there only gets by with the bare necessities.
Disorientation and hopelessness have become commonplace. The uprooted Lakota
no longer know where to go and where they belong.
It appears that they are not progressing, either physically or mentally. Nevertheless,
there are occasional signs of activity.
There are gleams of hope, but how are the Lakota supposed to fan a small spark into
a bright fire of renewed drive and vigor? They live in the balance between tradition
and modernism. Old values have been "remodelled." Their language, their songs,
dances, and rituals, their artful craftwork – have not been entirely lost. Yet if the
Lakota want to be autonomous and live the good life, then they must act today!
Helping people to help themselves is one way that the Lakota can escape the misery
of dreary routine life and regain a sense of hope. Healthy nutrition is the foundation
for a good life. The Yellow Bull family from Pine Ridge was ready to follow their
ancestors' footsteps who had planted corn and vegetables for their own consumption
on its fields on the Horn Cloud Place. Their grandfather was Chief Charles Red Cloud
who descended from the Red Cloud clan, named after the famous chief Red Cloud.
Saphira Iroegbu got to know the Yellow Bull family in the spring of 2008 during the
Crazy Horse Memorial horseback ride.
The family, which in the meantime has grown to 10 members, wished to be able to
eat healthy and fresh vegetables from their own field and, in the process, reduce its
dependency on federal aid. Saphira Iroegbu and myself, Sabrina Steinmetz, of KEYA
thought that the time and money invested would be worthwhile in light of the family's
experience with former projects as well as its willingness to maintain its own
vegetable garden.
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