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PORCUPINE, SD—On a reservation larger than the state of
Delaware, the Oglala Lakota people face logistical difficulties in
the simple chore of washing one’s own laundry.
The 40,000 Lakota who reside here often have to travel an hour or
more off the Reservation to clean their clothes. That changes this
week, says Jeri Baker, director and founder of the South
Dakota-based nonprofit One Spirit.
“We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our first
laundromat,” said Baker. “This is an exciting new
service that we’re bringing to the Lakota and one that
they’ve requested for a long time.”
One Spirit will celebrate its grand opening on
Saturday, April 11th. At the grand opening, people
can come in, meet the staff, get to know the place and, of course,
wash and dry their clothes. There will also be food for the guests
and games at the laundromat.
For the grand opening, the laundromat will be open from 8 a.m. to 8
p.m. Generally, it will be open from
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday.
The machines will run on tokens that can be purchased in the
community and at the laundromat, and laundry supplies and snacks
will be available for sale at the laundromat. Additionally, games
will be available for kids—and adults—who are waiting on
their laundry.
From Pilot Program to Economic Asset
One Spirit first learned that laundry services were needed on the
Reservation when it put a pair of machines into the Allen Youth
Center in Allen, South Dakota for parents to use free of
charge.
“Allen is a small community, very small,” Baker said.
“Nevertheless, the machines were being used almost
constantly. If they ever broke down, we heard about it loudly and
often. This was the proof of need for this laundromat, and we are
thankful to our donors for making it happen.”
So, the nonprofit decided to help bring good hygiene, and economic
development, to the Reservation. It partnered with the Wakpamni
District on the Reservation to renovate an empty building into a
space suitable for washing, drying and folding clothes. The project
serves a dual purpose: improving hygiene and fostering economic
development.
Estimates vary, but it’s thought that Pine Ridge Reservation
has an unemployment rate of more than 80%, which worsens the effects
of poverty. One Spirit has structured the laundromat so that it
keeps money on the Reservation while alleviating the impacts of
inequality.
Long term, the building will be turned over to the Wakpamni
District, and proceeds from its operations will be used to support
housing and youth programs.
Or, as Baker put it: “It’s our hope that this, and our
other programs, will help create loads of change for the
Lakota.”
About One Spirit
One Spirit is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that strives to
provide sustainable, culturally appropriate programs that promote
self-sufficiency, economic development, and educational
opportunities for the Lakota people. Learn more at
onespiritlakota.org
Contact: Jeri Baker
Executive Director
Spirit
Phone: 570-460-6567
Email: jbaker@nativeprogress.org
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