LFC’s Mission Statement – “Providing resources to Native American led organizations on Sioux Reservations, including support for education, food security, women and children’s issues, housing, and native culture.”
Lakota Friends Circle provides assistance to programs initiated by Lakota community members on Pine Ridge, Rosebud and Yankton Sioux Reservations in South Dakota. This includes the basic needs of food, warm clothing, and energy assistance and also educational needs such as books and school supplies for students and materials for teacher’s cultural, arts and crafts, science and other programs. There are no freestanding public libraries on any of the reservations we work with and books are not present in most homes. Many students are 2 grade levels behind in reading skills by the time they reach fourth grade due to lack of access to reading material and other factors. LFC provides books for libraries in schools and youth centers and also makes books available for children to take home. Our partner groups, “Sew For Kids” and “For the Children of Pine Ridge Reservation”, assist Marty Indian Elementary School on the Yankton Sioux Reservation and Rosebud Elementary School on Rosebud Reservation respectively.
There is also a need for assistance to high school graduates, so they can fulfill their dream of earning a college degree or learning a trade skill. We want to ensure that students with the ability and the desire to better their lives have that opportunity. Many students can get grants for tuition through programs provided by the tribe or the BIA, but lack the resources to purchase books or special equipment for their classes.
LFC started an educational fund to assist students with books and equipment. Initially we offered help to college or trade-school eligible students from the areas of Wanblee and Martin where we provide most of our support and where our program managers know individuals who want to better their lives. This is now extended to students in other areas provided we have the funding. We will award a maximum grant of $1000 every Fall and every Spring semester for books or equipment needed for the student’s program, based on the cost of items they need to purchase. LFC does not discriminate against age, race, gender, sexual orientation or religious beliefs. Board members, and donors of LFC or the family members of any of these, are not eligible for a grant.
A student who has successfully completed a year’s program and provided evidence of the ability to continue the following year will receive priority consideration for more funding. Receipts must be provided for purchases and, whenever possible, funds will be sent directly to the place of purchase. LFC will keep a record of students helped with details of the program they pursued, funding received, how the monies were used, and the educational outcome.
Student Requirements
- Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED.
- Completed application form and a letter telling us about themselves, the program they wish to pursue, their future dreams and why they need our help.
- A personal reference from someone who has known the applicant for at least 2 years.
- Letter of acceptance from the school/program applied to, proof of their ability to pay for tuition (through a scholarship or grant), has transportation to and from classes and can support themselves through a student loan, part time job or family assistance.
Students must specify the length of their program so we know if they may need funds for the following year. If some of the programs are offered virtually and require a computer and internet access, these expenses will be considered. All expected costs must be presented and if a grant is approved receipts must be submitted. The LFC board will review the applications each semester to determine if students meet our guidelines and are eligible for a grant. Grants will be offered depending on available funds. Second semester grants, while not guaranteed, may be considered if there are funds available and if the student successfully completed their first semester and has a great financial need. A letter explaining their financial need must be submitted when reapplying. Our goal is to make sure students have the needed materials to continue their studies and pursue their goal.
Students will be required to update LFC on their academic progress at the end of each semester. At the end of the school year students must report if they have graduated or will be continuing their studies next year and if they will need more funding. We have a responsibility to our donors to ensure their money is being used as stipulated and the recipients are on track to succeed. We can then not only be proud of our students but use their successes to fundraise for future applicants.