The financial meltdown of the past year or so in the United States has been devastating to millions of Americans, and even more so to First Americans on the many Indian reservations. Of course, the whole world is suffering because of this, but my present appeal is for temporary help in South Dakota.

A little over a year ago I tried to help in a way that I think gets “the most bang for the buck,” that is, to rescue the Sicangu Sun Times newspaper, which is a voice of and for the Rosebud Indian Reservation Sioux people (see http://www.theoservice.org/node/241).

I have come to realize that an independently owned and operated newspaper on the reservation is vital to the health and progress of the people. Compare it to Mother Jones magazine for journalism, not colored by big money interests. Most big news operations are financed by large corporations that will withdraw their ads if the news and other messages do not look favorably on their business, religion or political party. The Sicangu Sun Times has been operating free of such controls since its inception 18 years ago.

The immediate need (now until the end of 2009) for the newspaper is for help in paying some back printing bills (almost $1,000). Advertising money normally pays for this, but the current economy has hit the advertisers the same as everyone else. I have already exhausted my own resources, so I’m asking for help from readers of this website. If you can contribute any amount, please use one of the following ways:

1. By PayPal

2. By check or money order
Make payable to P.R. Gregg-Bear and mail to:

L. Miles Standish
3355 S Owl Slick Road
Cornville, AZ 86325 USA

(Important – If sending money from outside the USA, please use a bank or cashier's check payable at some bank in the USA.)

Please be sure to visit the website link above so you will know just where your contribution is to go and what is involved.

Thanks and God bless,
Miles