My Nonprofit Reviews

I stumbled across One Spirit on another Native American web site. I signed up for their newsletter and watched One Spirit for about 6 months before I made my first donation ... to help provide turkeys for Thanksgiving dinners.

What has impressed me most about One Spirit is that YOU determine how you want to contribute. If you donate dollars, you can specify how you want it spent. You can donate to individual family needs by using the Okini Program page. Here you can donate large or small amounts and know it is going to help someone directly.

In addition to money, I have found it very satisfying to use my sewing skills for making items that can be spread among many families. I have made hats for adults. Hats for children. Double thick polar fleece blankets. Quillows (polar fleece single blanket that folds into a sleeve to use as a pillow) for the Children's Rescue Center. Hooded baby terry cloth blankets. Baby blankets.

I have made baby caps for the Welcome Baby Program. Additionally I have collected and bought lightly used baby clothes from local garage sales.

I am impressed with how the foundation uses their support to encourage and emphasize the native traditions, and not replace or compromise them. The meat packing plant is an excellent example. Re-introducing the buffalo as a primary meat source in the diet. The re-education of native plants and native cooking per the Sioux Chef ( https://sioux-chef.com/ )

They emphasize providing the basics through a food pantry, food vouchers, wood delivery program, child care, child rescue center, etc.

All in all, I can not think of a better place to donate my time and money. I only wished I lived closer than SW Iowa so that I could participate with the Lakota people on a personal level and be their friend up close. I would love to be able to sit down and sew with their quilters and learn the colors and patterns and techniques significant to their culture. Maybe someday ...