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A smile is also a beautiful way to say “thank you!” The receiving of a star quilt.
MARCH 2014 , (VOL . XIII , N O . I )
PO Box 438 Office: (605) 245-2685
Fort Thompson, SD 57339 Website: www.d-w-m.org
E-mail: [email protected]
“Serving one another in love” — Galatians 5:13
WOPIDA TANKA - THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
THANKS!
There are many ways to show one’s appreciation. A simple “thank you” is perhaps the simplest
method. In the Dakota language and culture, there are a few ways to express thanks. The phrase
“wopida tanka” is one common expression. Wopida translates to English as “thank, joy or
gladness”. Tanka is an often heard Dakota work which means “big”. So combined together,
wopida tanka signifies great gratitude.
Traditionally, within the culture, a buffalo robe was given as a gift of highest thanks or honor. In
the late 1800s, after the decimation of buffalo herds, the taking away of the horse for hunting, and
confinement to reservations, the Dakota and Lakota custom of giving a buffalo robe was replaced
by the giving of a star quilt.
These beautiful quilts, each unique in color, have in common the star, or diamond, pattern which
represents among other things the four directions. Upon giving a star quilt, the giver wraps the
quilt around the recipient. It is a beautiful and very tangible expression of thanks and love.
It is with this same feeling of gratitude, love and appreciation, that all of us here send a big
thank you, a “WOPIDA TANKA” to you! We wish we could wrap a star quilt around you right
now to show our appreciation. Thank you so very much for your support of Diamond Willow
Ministries. Your generosity and kindness is making a difference in many families here on the
reservation!
P AGE 2
A Full House
The ministry's main building, the Ikce Oyate Christian Center, is a very busy place. The
basement in particular is “the place to be”. This area is used as a dining area, for
community meetings, as an eating and visiting area during wakes and funerals, serves as a
safe “living room” for people to relax, and is the central hub for activities and events for the
Cantemawaste Youth Camps.
Meal time in the basement of the Ikce Oyate Christian Center.
Mato Family Center
The ever increasing usage of the current facility has us looking for space. What a great
“problem”, the need for more room for all those coming here for hope and for a place to be
part of the Family of God. To answer this need, beginning this month we will be
refurbishing the 1,961 square feet of the pole barn that housed the curly horses into the
Mato Family Center. It will be a multi-purpose area that will meet many demands
including serving as the primary activity area for the Cantemawaste Youth Camps. These
camps alone will be attended by over three hundred youth from the community just this
summer alone.
The modification construction will take
place in two phases. This spring the
radiant floor heating system will be
installed so that the concrete floor can then
be poured over top of it at the end of April.
Construction will also take place this
spring to get two functional bathrooms in
place prior to the start of camp. The
second phase will then start this fall after
camp and will involve finishing the walls,
installation of the ceiling, lighting and
insulation. So be the time winter arrives,
the project should be completed!
P AGE 3
Specific Need Update
In the last newsletter the need was made known that due to the growing number of people eating
onsite during the youth camps and throughout the year, there was a need to improve our ability to
store food. Most of those needs have been met! A walk-in freezer was donated, a commercial
upright freezer was purchased at a very good price, and a thousand dollars of donations have been
received toward the purchase of a commercial refrigerator! God’s people are so generous! Thank
you so very much.
Now, we are still “recruiting” for some cooks and kitchen assistants for this summer’s
Cantemawaste Youth Camps. So if you are possibly interested in assisting for a week or more of
camps, please contact us!
When you can drive on the frozen Missouri River it means it is time to have a youth ice fishing contest or just
grab a friend to hug; anything to get one’s mind off the cold and try to stay warm - More photos on the website.
Prayer Points
Praise that the weekly men’s support group attendance is increasing as we are making a more
concerted effort to reach the homeless men in the community.
The Cantemawaste Youth Camps: For many youth to attend this summer with open hearts.
Giving for the remaining $2,000.00 toward a commercial refrigerator
Safe and successful construction this spring on the Mato Family Center
Churches and families to regularly financially support the ministry due to the ever increasing
number of families and youth with needs coming to DWM.
Pray for community action groups, law enforcement, families, and others fighting the rising
drug problem
Simple Ways to Help while Searching Online, Shopping or Dining!
Here's an easy way to raise money for Diamond Willow Ministries. Just start using Yahoo!
powered Goodsearch.com as your search engine and they'll donate about a penny to Diamond
Willow Ministries every time you do a search! In addition, do all of your shopping through their
online shopping mall, Goodshop.com, where you can shop at more than 2,600 top online retailers
and a percentage of your purchases will also go to Diamond Willow Ministries. You pay the same
price as you normally would, but a donation goes to the ministry! You can also enroll in the Good-
dining program. Eat at over 10,000 participating restaurants nationwide and you can earn up to 6%
of every dollar spent on the meal as a donation for the ministry. Here's the web site — http://
www.goodsearch.com/. Just be sure to des-
ignate Diamond Willow Ministries as your
charity of choice when first registering.
CROW CREEK SIOUX RESERVATION
PO Box 438
Fort Thompson
South Dakota 57339
Office:
(605)245-2685
E-mail:
Website:
www.d-w-m.org
DIAMOND WILLOW MINISTRIES, PO Box 438, Fort Thompson, SD 57339
Before you move, please send the mailing label with a copy of your new address to
U.S. POSTAGE
Pierre, SD
NON PROFIT ORG.
PAID
Return Service Requested
Permit No. 123
Seeking Comfort From the Cold
This has been one of the coldest winters that has hit the Dakotas
in recent history. Along with the cold comes challenges such as
heating bill increases. Basically all facets of living get much
more difficult. This is the case in particular within the impover-
ished communities of the reservation.
However, in this photo, two young boys, Roland and Evon,
enjoy themselves on a sunny, but cold winter day as they take a
walk on the frozen ice of the Missouri River. They remind us,
that even amidst the challenges of life, whether the harsh
coldness of winter, or the struggles that we all face at times, the
SON can shine and bring warmth and comfort. It is this message
of the hope and peace of Jesus Christ that is at the core of our
message.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” - Jesus Christ from
Matthew 11:28 Thank you, “wopida tanka” once again for your prayers, thoughts, and all the
many ways that you help bring the Son to a cold land.
May, “The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.” Numbers 6:25