Center Pole Foundation

The Crow Indian Reservation is located in southeastern Montana, in one of the poorest counties in the state. Nearly 60% of the Crow population falls below the poverty line, and most tribal members have experienced hunger and cold at some point in their lives. The Reservation is plagued by inequity and injustices, stemming from the historical misdeeds of the U.S. government and from years of internal strife within the Tribe. Crow Indians have long struggled to maintain their traditional way of life, enduring oppressive forces at every level of government.

Centuries of conflict between the U.S. government and Indian tribes have undermined the ability of tribes to self-govern. The federal government's history of broken promises in the form of treaties, reorganizations, and the establishment of political and legal dominance over tribes has left tribal communities disempowered and vulnerable to poverty, hunger, violence, and inadequate housing. Tribal governments have had to rebuild their infrastructure and overcome a long history of neglect, corruption and isolation to foster economic development and to maintain health and human service programs-though they lack the funding capital, experience, skills and resources to do so.

The Crow Indian Reservation has experienced persistent poverty and economic inequality among its own people, caused by a type of government that is not aligned with the Tribe's historically traditional values. Dependence on the tribal leadership leaves many Crow people impoverished and hungry. It was from this tension that the Center Pole Foundation was born. Through the efforts of Peggy Wellknown Buffalo, a community leader, The Center Pole Foundation has worked to build empowerment and self-sufficiency so that when leadership falls short, the Crow people can take care of themselves. The "Center Pole", in the Crow belief system, is the central point within the Sun Dance Lodge where people go to find strength and guidance, and to receive help.

"Crow people need to put their fear aside and stand up to the internal and external systems that are keeping us oppressed," said Peggy Wellknown Buffalo. "To do this, we need to look beyond tribal and government resources for the skills, knowledge and vision to be self-sufficient. We also need to look to our traditions to become as creative, resourceful and sovereign as we were in the old days. Most importantly, we need to teach our children about social justice by our own actions."

The Social Justice Fund began supporting the Center Pole Foundation nearly seven years ago with funds to help build a Native Artists' Cooperative that was being organized to challenge a local monopoly on the sale of traditional arts and crafts by two non-Indian trading posts. The co-op gave local Crow artists the opportunity to sell their goods in a store that was owned and operated by the Crow people, rather than the non-Indian company that operated two trading posts on the reservation. Over the years, the Center Pole Foundation has evolved and increased its capacity to provide for the community. They have designed an entrepreneurship program geared towards teaching youth money-management skills and planning. They now operate a successful food bank, a thrift shop, and a café where they roast their own coffee. They have built the "A Li Mi A Self Help Center", which is a "place to go get help to help yourself". The center provides information and resources on education, business, entrepreneurship, social justice, and alternative housing.

The Social Justice Fund is especially proud to partner with the Center Pole Foundation because of its commitment to social justice issues. In addition to providing for people's basic needs, it has organized parents to address harassment and discrimination against Indian students in local schools, supported the rights of Crow women, and worked to ensure that terminated tribal employees receive their severance pay.

The Center Pole Foundation is independent of the Crow Tribe, and does not receive any government funding. The Center Pole has inspired hope in the Crow community, bringing resources and aid to a depressed area. Their work is vital in encouraging the self-sufficiency of the Crow people, while maintaining a clear vision with respect to traditional values. They have succeeded in empowering the most disenfranchised members of their community by providing for basic needs and developing a sense of trust, responsibility and greater possibility. Their work creates long-term social change in creative, culturally appropriate ways.

The Center Pole Foundation received a 3-Year Support Grant from Social Justice Fund in 2005. For more information about the Center Pole Foundation, please visit their website at: www.thecenterpole.org or at www.wellknownbuffalo.com or write to Peggy Wellknown Buffalo at wellknownbuffalo =at= hotmail =dot= com.