History of the Tree of Life

History of the Tree of Life Ministry

Written by: Dennis Unkenholz

Acknowledgments

The majority of early Tree of Life history was provided by Drs. Boyd Blumer and Richard Fisher. Their memories are amazing and with the benefit of some personal files provided the details of how the Tree of Life Ministry began. Both Drs. Blumer and Fisher assisted with editing the history document. They deserve a big thank you for all they have added.

In addition I also spoke with past Tree of Life Executive Directors, Pat Luecke, Mina Hall, Russell Masartis and Linda Garriot. They were very willing to share their memories and ideas of what could be included in a history of the Tree of Life. Thanks to all of them for helping with this project.

The Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church provided support for shaping the history into final form and publishing the document. Dr. Doreen Gosemire deserves a thank you for her involvement with the project.

Laurie Langland, Dakotas Conference’s archivist, provided many bits of information to make the history complete. Thank you Laurie for all you did to help this project.

A big thank you goes to current Tree of Life Executive Director, Linda Garriot, and Linda Baldock, Tree of Life office assistant and past Tree of Life Board member. They scoured files located in the Tree of Life Office for historical information.

Dennis Unkenholz

History of the Tree of Life Ministry

Beginning

One of the last tasks Bishop James Armstrong accomplished prior to leaving the South Dakota Conference of the United Methodist Church (Conference) was to challenge the Conference to develop a ministry of presence with native Americans. Western (now Southwest) District Superintendent (DS) Dr. Richard Fisher and the Cabinet were placing pastors for the upcoming year. They were challenged by who to assign to the 3-point charge; White River, Mission and Wood UCC. They came up with the idea of a full time plus a half time pastor to fill the charge. DS Fisher then had the idea to assign Earling Duus, the remaining half time position as a missionary to develop a Ministry of Presence in the Rosebud Reservation located geographically close to the three churches in the Todd-Mellette County Parish.

Fisher recommended Duus because Duus had a unique appreciation of cultures and strongly believed that Christ was present in all cultures. Duus would come to the reservation, not to “bring Christ” but to meet the Christ who was already there, inviting us to come join him on the reservation.

The 1985 Conference Journal reflects action taken by the Conference Board of Global Ministries (CBGM) when they endorsed the Ministry and recommended a $10,000 budget for programing, travel, and salary support. The Ethnic Local Church Committee provided $2000 for special ministries in the Rosebud. The Conference along with the Mission UMC congregation also provided salary support. This was the beginning of what would become the Tree of Life (TOL) ministry located in the Rosebud Reservation, Mission, South Dakota.

DS Fisher and Pastor Duus met early on with Fr. Noah Brokenleg, a leader in the Episcopal Church and a native of the Rosebud. Fr. Brokenleg was the key Rosebud person to give support to the TOL concept through his recognition, acceptance, and welcome. When Volunteers in Mission (VIM) groups were around on Sunday they often times attended Episcopalian services and Fr. Brokenleg would invite all clergy present to join him at the alter to administer the Sacraments. His recognized leadership in the Rosebud was essential to the success of TOL.

Out of this conversation and the reading of John Neihardt’s book, Black Elk Speaks, the name Tree of Life was established. The term, Tree of Life, in the New Testament refers both to the cross of Jesus and to the source of eternal life. In Lakota, the term refers to the tree that emerges where the good red road of spiritual understanding crosses the black road of physical suffering and hardship. Thus in both traditions, the tree of life expresses the idea of new life and spiritual understanding that comes from the midst of physical suffering. As Revelation 22:2 envisions it:

“On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”

When DS Fisher and Pastor Duus talked about the purpose and shape of the ministry it became clear initially, the intention was not to compete with other Christian congregations and initiatives in the reservation but rather to be present among them; listening and learning. Expectations were that out of this relational ministry style a clearer Ministry vision would emerge. Duus would come to the reservation with eyes and ears open to the new things God might do through this ministry.

Pastor Duus expressed the same thought in a 1985 interview with David Knecht in The Prairie Flame, “the main thrust of the Tree of Life ministry is not to do something for the Indian so much as it is to develop a sense of absolute openness to the Lakota religion and the cultural experience.” Duus also hoped “that the United Methodists might come into dialogue with the Native American’s religion experience.” He added, “Appreciation is not enough, What confronts us is an opportunity for growth that is important to the white man (sic).” (July 12, The Prairie Flame, 1985 page 1)

The Ministry continues to this day as the Tree of Life and the meaning of the name is just as relevant today as it was when DS Fisher and Fr. Brokenleg suggested the name.

Mission Statement

The CBGM reported the following in the 1985 Conference Journal: “We propose to establish ministry centers, on or adjacent to Indian reservations, beginning experientially on the Rosebud and Pine Ridge reservations. These centers will provide recreation for children and youth, increase intercultural understanding, identify and train leadership for church and tribe, bring the church into contact with issues involving hope and justice, and respond to the problems of alcoholism, family violence, hunger and despair.” This was the first take of a mission statement for the new Tree of Life Ministry.

The Tree of Life Ministry of presence has evolved over time and is now defined by the mission statement: Nurture the body, Strengthen the Culture and Embrace the Spirit.

Nurture the body: Because of severe poverty first services include a food pantry, clothing distribution, meal site, emergency home repairs and other services as necessary.

Strengthen the Culture: As people who walk “The Jesus Road”, faith is demonstrated in a way that is culturally appropriate and understanding that Native Americans who may accept the Christian faith may never abandon their faith rituals while practicing their traditional rituals. Programs encourage and incorporate leadership of Native Americans in nurturing activities.

Embrace the Spirit: Recognize and encourage faith and belief in work and love of the Creator as culturally expressed. As Christians we demonstrate the message of Jesus rather than the ritual of the Church. This spiritual goal is to reclaim the faith, virtues and hope of the people by praying and working together toward self-sufficiency of Native Americans.

Legal Status

The TOL is a multidenominational, cross-cultural relief agency located in Mission, South Dakota; and associated with the Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Tree of Life was incorporated in 1999 and articles of incorporation were amended in 2008 and 2016. Original incorporators were: Richard Fisher, David Mack, and Thomas Lavery.

The Tree of Life is registered with the State of South Dakota Department of Revenue as a relief agency qualifying it for sales tax exempt status. The Corporation also has 501 (C) (3) status pursuant to State and Federal laws and regulations. By-laws were developed soon after incorporation and were most recently revised in 2016.

Governance

Tree of Life ministry began as a project of the CBGM and for many years the CBGM provided oversight to the TOL. In addition, DS Fisher facilitated an Ad Hoc group comprised of Clergy from the Rosebud as well as around South Dakota, and others interested in facilitating success of the TOL. This group provided strategic planning, direction and assistance on issues such as joint use of facilities, cooperative agreement between the United Methodist and Episcopal Churches, Speakers’ Bureau, resource bibliography and Christian education resources. This Ad Hoc group functioned through the 1990’s.

The TOL Board became more structured and by 2005 was functioning as a formal Board with bylaws. No written record can be found of the formal beginning of the Board as it exists today. Initially the Conference appointed the Executive Directors for the Tree of Life, and if ordained, were appointed to extension ministries. If not ordained, were hired to assume responsibilities of the Executive Director. Beginning in 2015 the TOL Board assumed responsibility of hiring Executive Directors. In addition; the Board has responsibility for budget approval and oversight as well as policy setting authority.

Funding

Initially funding was provided by the Conference through the CBGM. The very first budget in 1985 was $10,000. Conference support grew over time as did the TOL budget and in 2015 the Conference portion of the budget was $60,000 annually. The balance of the approximately $500,000 annual budget, came as gifts, tuition from Volunteers in Mission (VIM’s), thrift store sales, and co-op fees.

Conference funding ended in 2016 when Ministries such as TOL became self-funded. Since COVID-19 beginning in 2020, income is significantly less and programs have been proportionally reduced.

Leadership

Since Earling Duus (1985-1986) was appointed the first Executive Director of the TOL in 1985 there have been eight Executive Directors who have led the Ministry (Table 1).

Table 1. List of Tree of Life Executive Directors, years served and classification. Data compiled by Dakota Conference’s archivist Laurie Langland, March 31, 2021, updated February 9, 2022 and March 24, 2023.

1985-1986 Earling Duus Appointment to extension ministry

1987 Summer and maybe 1988 Summer Per report by Margaret Denten, 1988 Robert Weston SD Journal p. 615

1989-1995 Lynn Starkjohan Appointment to extension ministry

1995-1997 Boyd and Evelyn Blumer Appointment to extension ministry

1997-2004 Pat and John Luecke Laity

2004 Albert Kougl, interim Per Pat Luecke, Dr. Boyd Blumer and director Dr. Dick Fisher

2004-2005 Mina Hall Appointment to extension ministry

2005-2015 Russell and Donna Masartis Appointment to extension ministry

2015 Linda Garriot Laity

Rev. Marilyn Heitzmann Starkjohan (1989-1995) followed Duus as Director when she volunteered to accept a part-time appointment to the TOL. She worked closely with the Watchful Home Women’s Shelter and the Spotted Tail Crisis Center for Children. She became involved with children and women’s concerns on the reservation. She also worked with AA and AlAnon counseling. In 1993 she described the ministry as follows: “The Tree of Life Ministry is a Ministry of Presence to the people of the Rosebud Reservation, offering a caring ministry that addresses human need and pain. As a messenger of the Christian Gospel, the Tree of Life Ministry provides opportunities for strengthening the ministry of the laity, responds to the concerns of alcohol and family abuse, and promotes intercultural understanding and mutual valuing.”

A significant event was held September 1993 that provided direction to the young TOL. Dr. Richard Fisher led a visioning retreat for the United Methodist Ministry in the Rosbud Reservation. Participants included representatives from various parts of the Reservation, the Dakotas Conference and the South Dakota Diocese of the Episcopal Church. During the discussion, the Episcopal Bishop discussed codepencency at length and Fr. Brokenleg responded, “yes but we need the TOL now.” From that meeting the following recommendations were made:

1. The Dakotas Conference of the Untied Methodist Church would lease Barbour Hall at the Bishop Hare Center to house VIM’s and retreats. Costs will approximate utilities.

2. A joint resolution would be presented to both the Dakotas Annual Conference and the Episcopal Diocese declaring the intention of both denominations to “work together in our mission in the Rosebud Reservation and elsewhere as the Spirit leads us.”

3. Both groups would prepare a list of persons willing and able to travel to local churches to interpret Native American culture and spirituality and to lift up the concerns of Native Americans. This list was compiled and mailed to all Dakotas Conference churches in the January 1994 Resource Packet.

4. Both groups would prepare a resource bibliography for local church use. This was also included in the January 1994 packet.

5. Lynn Starkjohan and her associates in ministry in the Rosebud Reservation would be granted access to the Dakotas Conference Resource Library for programming needs.

Possibly the most important item in the above list was the decision to invite VIM groups to come to the Rosebud. In a prophetic ending to that days visioning, Fr. Noah Brokenleg, highly respected elder among the people of the Rosebud, observed, “this has been the most exciting day I have experienced on this reservation.”

About the time Lynn Starkjohan was to retire, Bishop William B. Lewis was concerned the TOL was not moving forward towards the hopes and dreams of the Ministry. He questioned if the TOL could be developed into a full time Ministry. He suggested moving a house and obtaining some property to provide for a full time TOL Director. During Dr. Blumer’s last year as DS he had been telling his wife, Evelyn, about TOL. They were also discussing where they would move to after the Cabinet job ended. Evelyn said to Dr. Blumer, “let’s try it for a couple of years.” Dr. Blumer shared, at a Cabinet meeting, their interest in assuming the Director’s job at TOL and Dr. Blumer was appointed TOL Director. He built on the foundation that had been established at TOL and deepened contacts and relationship with the Rosebud Tribal Council.

When Dr. Boyd Blumer along with wife Evelyn ( 1995-1997) came to the TOL as the first full-time Director, the TOL began to blossom and bear fruit. VIM groups from all over the country began to come as facilities were now available to host and house VIM’s. Under the leadership of Dr. Blumer and the previously noted support from Bishop Lewis, a lot was purchased and a house was moved on site with Conference financial support. The TOL did not own any property until that time. The Blumer’s lived in a Recreational Vehicle until the house was moved on site, properly connected to utilities and made livable. The TOL now had a residence for the Director, space for an office and space for small groups.

VIM work teams came to Rosebud to build bridges of understanding, to express the love of God in tangible ways by performing tasks such as construction, remodeling, painting, providing needed goods and services, and leading in Vacation Bible School programs. In doing so, the volunteers discovered all people have gifts to offer and insights to share, for both those who come to serve and those who offer them hospitality and friendship. Blumers served until 1997. Dr. Blumer remarked, “we could not have chosen a better way to end our ministry. We are forever grateful how God led and guided us.”

Pat and John Luecke (1997-2004) were hired to be the Executive Director of the TOL to follow the Blumers. As with the Blumers, spouses often worked in various aspects of the ministry and this was the case with the Lueckes. Pat was serving on the CBGM when it was announced that Blumers were retiring from the TOL. Pat and John were interested in the job and decided they would apply together for the one position. They began the interview process in October of 1996 and by January 1997 they had sold the farm and equipment and moved to Mission. Lueckes continued the VIM projects in the Rosebud and expanded services with the addition of a “giveaway room” as the locals called it. Donated clothing and household items were displayed and anyone could come and take whatever they needed. The “room” was only open when there were donations available. VIM numbers increased to 1000 - 1200 a year which allowed many more construction projects to be accomplished.

While Pat maintained the program in the Rosebud, John, would travel each Thursday - Saturday to Crow Creek Reservation near Ft. Thompson, South Dakota. John led a program of construction projects operated under the guidance of the CBGM which had oversight of the TOL. John and Pat Luecke retired in 2004 and moved to Clear Lake, South Dakota near the farm they worked for most of their lives. Pat summed up their time serving the people of the Rosebud as the “best years of our lives.”

The Crow Creek ministry continued after John retired in 2004 when Peter Lengeek was hired to assume construction management responsibilities. Peter served in this capacity until elected to Crow Creek Tribal Council. The ministry at Crow Creek ceased in 2010 ( November 1, 2010 Monday’s at Dakotas).

During 2007, Bishop Deb Kiesey brought Bishops and members of the Jurisdictional Conference to Crow Creek from their gathering in Mitchell. They spent the day working to clean and repair a kitchen under Mr. Lengeek’s direction. While they were working, TOL presented several cultural events; including “Lakota Women’s Issues” by Doris Kills in Water, “A Short History of White Interaction with the Lakota” by Chief Duane Hollow Horn Bear, and a typical meal prepared by several local Lakota families.

During the time construction projects were accomplished at Crow Creek, work was accomplished at Lower Brule Reservation just west across the Missouri River from Crow Creek. This ministry lasted less than two years.

Mina Hall (2004-2005) was assigned to the TOL following Luecke’s retirement. She served one year before being appointed to serve a church in North Dakota. She commented during a telephone conversation that work was very ecumenical, enjoyable and necessary. Programs consisted of construction assistance, operation of the thrift store, sharing Christmas boxes, and providing school supplies for children. Mina mentioned the TOL had a presence at Milk’s Camp for a short time.

Mina Hall, a nurse by training, had contacts to bring the first medical students to the Rosebud to donate their services in examining and treating minor medical problems. It was Mina Hall that hired the longest serving Construction Manager on the Rosebud Reservation. Richard Guerue was hired as a seasonal worker in 2005, and as the ministry grew into year-round operation, continued until 2015. Mr. Guerue was a member of the tribe and had extensive contacts among tribal leaders and tribal construction offices.

The longest serving Executive Director to date, Russell Masartis, began work in 2005. Russell came to the ministry from Wisconsin, where he had served as a Primitive Methodist Church pastor. He served TOL until his appointment to Wall UMC in 2015. During Russell’s tenure, TOL budget grew from $224,000 to $525,000 annually. The number of people served during that time period grew proportionally. During this period of budget growth, expenses exceeded income levels and the Conference provided $280,000 in addition to the $60,000 annual support.

As the reputation of Tree of Life Ministry spread, non-United Methodist churches and groups began to make contact and offer help and cooperation. First, was a colony of New Order Amish from Wisconsin, then the Hutterite Colony from Platte, SD. Soon there were VIMs from seven other denominations. Through Donna Masartis, as Mission Coordinator, medical programs from 5 different school accepted invitations to receive cross-cultural training and poverty sensitivity training at TOL. Donna’s experience as a Nursing Home Administrator, and as a Medical Business Manager gave proper credentials to these programs.

It was the idea of Donna to change the giveaway room into a Thrift Shop. The tribal council supported the idea to change this practice since it appeared TOL was treating people as beggars. After much thought and prayer, it was Donna’s idea to sell these items for low costs. It worked, and a sense of dignity and pride was achieved among families who could claim they had purchased clothing for their families. One of the grandmothers came to thank Donna saying she was able to buy each of her grandchildren a new outfit for school, and got hugs from those children. It was also at that time when the Masartis’ heard many children did not have sufficient food when school was not in session and school meals not available. TOL opened a small kitchen in the warehouse and started serving hot meals for children. Soon it was evident that the parents were standing outside, watching their kids eat, and Donna began planning a larger meal ministry. Again, to respect the tribal council, a small fee was charged for each adult who entered, which allowed them to share in the meals. At one point, Tree of Life was serving up to 350 meals, four days a week. This involved many volunteers and a staff of three Lakota.

Under Russell’s leadership, cross-cultural training was begun, warm welcome soup kitchen was initiated, co-op was established; and TOL began involvement with South Dakota State Social Services, Sinte Gleska University and Rosebud Tribal government Figure 1.

Linda Garriott began employment with the TOL in 1995 and worked with Russell prior to his leaving. Linda’s tenure as Executive Director began in 2016. She is the first resident of Mission to hold the Executive Director’s position which has been a great benefit to TOL. Because of local connections, Linda knows most residents of Mission and surrounding Rosebud Reservation. She has a unique understanding of challenges people of the area face.

Development of partnerships has been a hallmark of Linda’s tenure. Partnerships of note include No Means No; and South Dakota Departments of Social Services, Health, and Labor. These groups have partnered on various projects benefitting residents of Rosebud. Linda has a good working relationship with Tribal leaders and staff of Sinte Gleska University. Several Universities both in-state as well as outof-state have sent intern students for stays as long as a year.

Funding procedures for TOL changed under Linda’s tenure as Executive Director. In 2016 Conference ministries such as TOL became self-funded as the Conference no longer provided $60,000 annually. That change added additional challenges to raise enough money to continue current programming. The TOL has been able to meet operating expenses every year since 2016. Beginning in 2020 and the COVID 19 pandemic, income has been reduced and subsequently programs have been eliminated or greatly reduced to operate within budget limits.

Linda has secured several grants for various projects including a greenhouse, complete kitchen appliances for a second soup kitchen and for handling Senior Food Boxes as part of Feeding South Dakota program.

Facilities

The TOL campus has spread to several locations in Mission in recent years. The first building purchased in 1995 was moved from Lead, South Dakota and located at 140 South Roosevelt. The lot, where the house sits, was purchased from the Episcopal Church and is contiguous with property where the Episcopal Parsonage is located. This became the Executive Directors house and TOL office. Moving the house, construction of a basement, addition of a double garage, utility hookup and redecorating of the house totaled approximately $50,000. A room plus bunk rooms in the basement were added later. This allowed VIM groups to stay in the basement and use the kitchen in the new addition.

A cold storage building, 30’ X 44’, that included a heated room; was constructed between the office and the alley by VIMs during Lueckes tenure at TOL. This building held construction tools and materials. The heated portion of the building was used for storing perishable items or items that could not freeze. The heated room was also used as a thrift store.

An addition, 40’ X 54’, was added to the east end of the warehouse and became the Warm Welcome soup kitchen. This addition provided a place to cook, host people for meals and for the storage of food supplies. This addition was accomplished during Masartis’s tenure as TOL Director. The Warm Welcome functioned as a soup kitchen until COVID 19 protocol required closing during 2020.

The Kola Tipi (House of Friends), a building turned dormitory, located on East Second Street was purchased in 2011. This house and the Guest House (Mission UMC Parsonage) which has been rented periodically, are used to house VIM teams. Use of the Guest House was terminated in 2022 and the Mission UMC plans to sell the parsonage.

The warehouse and adjacent, Warm Welcome, were damaged by fire at Easter time 2019.

The contents of the building were lost to smoke damage and the warehouse had major damage to roof trusses. A combination of a Darin Gilmore memorial given by Dr. Tom and Mrs. Jane Gilmore family and insurance payments have allowed repair of the warehouse and construction of a new soup kitchen, built on TOL property north of the Boys and Girls Club. Opening of the new soup kitchen is dependent on COVID 19 protocol. Final inspection of the building is expected in 2023.

Property purchased by TOL north of the Boys and Girls Club in 2008 included a 40’ by 100’ building with a 20’ by 100’ lean-to used for construction management, and storage of supplies and tools. This building is referred to as the Construction Management Building and in addition to housing construction materials, will become the warehouse for Thrift Store items.

The Construction Management property also came with several mobile homes with utility hookups. Two of the mobile homes were used for a period either as the Thrift Store or for storage. These mobile homes have been sold and moved from the property.

In 2014, a steel building, 40’ by 64’, was donated by Dr. Tom and Mrs. Jane Gilmore to be used as a warehouse for Thrift Store inventory. This building is located just west of the Construction Management building and was remodeled in 2022 to become the new Thrift Store.

During Marsartis’ time as Director, Russell personally purchased and moved near the Construction Management Building a modular home to be used as a residence. When Russell was assigned to Wall UMC, he donated the equity of the home to TOL. The TOL acquired a mortgage and paid the balance owed on the home. This home was the Thrift Store for several years until it became apparent the amount of foot traffic was too great for the home infrastructure. When COVID 19 began and the Thrift Store closed, the decision was made to move the office from South Roosevelt to the modular home. This will be the first time all services are located in one place. The office, Thrift Store, Warm Welcome, construction management building, and Co-op are located on one property just north of the Boys and Girls Club facility.

If there ever is good that comes from a fire, the new Warm Welcome soup kitchen is a beautiful example. Construction began in 2021 and is scheduled to be complete in 2023. The building will have rest rooms, food storage area, food preparation tables, cooking area, seating for 50 people, walk-in freezer and a commercial grade dish washer. Staff will have efficient space to prepare, cook and serve food. COVID-19 caused the staff to think social distancing and subsequently a drive-up window was installed complete with concrete lane. The main doors and windows are repurposed commercial grade and were a low cost purchase. Sufficient parking is available on site, a commodity the previous Warm Welcome did not have. Guests will now be able to shop at the Thrift Store, obtain items from the Co-op and have lunch all on one stop.

Programs

The mission of TOL largely is a ministry of service and presence. Programs described are means to serve and be present for the people in the Rosebud. Programs discussed are presented in no particular order and the discussion may not include all activities occurring at the TOL.

Food Distribution

Food insecurity is a fact of life in the Rosebud and this concern is addressed in several ways at the TOL. One very popular and meaningful activity is operation of the soup kitchen called the Warm Welcome. Approximately 200-250 noon meals are served four days a week at the Warm Welcome. People come and go and in addition to a hot meal are afforded the opportunity to be around others and visit while having lunch.

The TOL is sanctioned by Feeding South Dakota as a local food pantry. This allows families to receive a variety of food items available through Feeding South Dakota. In addition, TOL serves as a distribution center for Senior Boxes, a Federal food program administered through Feeding South Dakota.

Native American Heritage Association (NAHA) is a non-profit association that provides assistance to people in the Rosebud in a variety of ways. The TOL is a point of contact through which NAHA conducts their work. The major form of assistance is to provide food distributed by TOL. NAHA trucks deliver food weekly and during the COVID 19 pandemic have come more frequently. NAHA provides hams and turkeys at holiday time for distribution in the Rosebud. NAHA also has a winter heating program which is administered through the Rosebud Tribal offices with referrals from TOL staff.

The TOL also hosts Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and may serve as many as 600 meals at each event.

Thrift Store

Operation of a thrift store where clothing, kitchen ware, furniture, and bedding are sold at nominal rates serves up to 100 people a day. TOL has learned that shoppers who purchase items gain a sense of value and ownership, a feeling they may not have if they were given the same items. Homeless people and those who do not have the means to purchase items are given what they need. This system has proven invaluable. Periodically, the TOL Box Truck makes a trip to one of the 20 communities in the Rosebud to host a mobile thrift store experience. This allows an opportunity for those living in these remote communities to obtain thrift store items. This ministry is limited by availability of the Box Truck, licensed drivers and weather. The mobile thrift store concept has been well received.

Co-op

The Co-op is an interesting concept that also uses the idea of establishing a sense of value and ownership by providing for yourself. Co-op membership fee is a dollar every time one uses the Co-op. This allows the member to obtain personal hygiene items, a package of pampers or other commodities that TOL may have for distribution. The Co-op process allows TOL staff to more fairly distribute items as it allows daily accounting of those who have used Co-op services.

Construction Projects

Many VIM groups come to TOL just to do construction projects for Rosebud Reservation people or construction of TOL facilities. These construction projects include painting a house, replacing a door, remodeling a bathroom, installing a wheel chair ramp, or fixing a leaking roof. VIM group’s skill set is matched with potential projects. As many as 50 construction projects have been accomplished during a single summer. Project funding source may be TOL, the VIM group itself, or Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Cooperation with Rosebud Tribal Office is important as the Tribe may refer a project to TOL, or the Tribe may provide materials if VIM volunteers provide the labor.

Daycare

While Lueckes served TOL the need for daycare was identified. Subsequently a new building was constructed in White River to be used for daycare. In addition community centers in Antelope and Norris were renovated and opened as daycare facilities. Sinta Gleska University was given old barracks which were moved north of the campus. VIM teams remodeled the inside of one barrack which then opened as a daycare for children of students and faculty. Many of the furnishings for all of these facilities were constructed by VIM teams. Daycare workers were provided by each of the communities and were not TOL employees or volunteers.

Teams loved working on facilities for children and many VIM teams continued support by providing needed items while they were there working and even after returning home.

The Daycare program ceased operation several years ago due to lack of facility security or lack of locally provided community daycare workers.

Volunteers in Mission

Hosting VIMs is a service the TOL provides as the VIMs have a unique opportunity to serve those in need in the Rosebud Reservation. This worthwhile mission experience is life changing for many VIM and lifelong lessons are learned while at TOL. In keeping with TOL mission, cross cultural training opportunities are provided. Several tribal members are invited to make presentations during the VIM stay regarding Rosebud Sioux Cultural experiences. Activities such as eating Native American food, sweat lodge ritual, dancing experience as well as history of the Rosebud are examples of cultural experience a VIM group may have.

Cooperative Partnerships

The TOL partners with many groups including Rosebud Sioux Tribe, non-profit groups, local churches, governmental agencies both state and federal, and Universities. This is not a complete list but it illustrates the scope of partnerships developed over the years. One great example is No Means No, an international physical/sexual abuse education program. This group spent parts of two years training counselors and students in the Rosebud area. While training in local schools, counselors of No Means No, rented TOL facilities at a time when housing space was available and not needed for VIM groups. This was the first experience No Means No has working with Native Americans on an Indian Reservation

College Intern students rent living space from TOL and then work with TOL programs to fulfill requirements of their internship. The most recent intern students spent 9 months at TOL and following their internships, taught school in White River, worked with the Equine Unit of Sinte Gleska gaining firsthand experience while applying for acceptance into Veterinary School and the third enrolled in seminary the fall of 2021.

TOL has partnered with several stay-at-work programs which have provided meaningful employment experience and income for many local persons. These programs provide work experience the worker can leverage when applying for permanent jobs or in some cases begin working for TOL in a paid position. The gift of meaningful work experience may be a ministry of TOL never envisioned.

Community wide activities such as Veterans Day meal and remembrance is another example of a partnership developed by TOL staff.

One of the largest cooperative projects VIM teams undertook was helping to double the size of Spotted Tail Crisis Center in Rosebud. VIM added a second story to the facility without use of loaders or heavy equipment to lift materials.

The Parmalee community center was transformed into a youth center and CBGM provided salary for a local young Indian man to run the program. This partnership ended when the young man moved from the Rosebud.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The history of the TOL would not be complete without a discussion regarding COVID-19 and the impact the pandemic has had on TOL services provided to the people in the Rosebud. Face-to-face services ceased in early 2020 and the Thrift Store reopened early 2022. The Warm Welcome soup kitchen has not functioned since early 2020. Small VIM teams have visited the Rosebud beginning in 2022. Subsequently, revenue has been drastically reduced and staffing minimized.

TOL has been functioning with one full-time staff person, several very part time employees, and volunteers. No construction projects off-campus have been accomplished and TOL services provided were restricted to the TOL campus because of Rosebud Tribal requirements.

Services provided during the pandemic, included, mass food distribution events nearly every week. These resulted when a food truck would arrive and contents distributed right off the truck in the parking lot. Staff and guests masked up and guests would drive by to receive their share of food. In addition, there were mass give aways of thrift store type of items. These also occurred in the parking lot with masks required. Social distancing was practiced where possible and appropriate.

While total revenue was down as no VIMs visited, the Thrift Store not operational and the Co-op not available, gifts from churches and individuals were up. TOL received COVID-19 money where appropriate and with increased gifts was able to function financially. Data from 2021 illustrate that despite the impact of COVID-19; 387,516 pounds of clothing valued at $637,000 and 1,045,067 pounds of food items valued at $2,332,462 were distributed by the Tree of Life. In addition; $191,399; goods valued at $39,370; and services valued at $16,950 were given to the TOL by individuals, churches and organizations.

The future has promise because as this history is being recorded, Conference supported strategic planning is underway. This planning effort will develop strategies to help recover from the pandemic and chart a course to better and more efficiently serve the people of the Rosebud Reservation in the future.

Figure 1. Executive proclamation from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe describing appreciation for the Tree of Life Ministry and recognizing leadership of Donna and Russell Masartis.