I'm sad to report that the White Plume family, featured in Standing Silent Nation, one of this year's POV films, lost their home in an electrical fire last week. Thankfully no one was hurt, but according to this report on Daily Kos, "[Debra White Plume] only had time to snatch her grandson, pipe, purse, and cellphone & get out the door. Everything burned. Total loss. All papers even computers. 'It all happened in a half hour,' she said." (link)
Tom Murphy, the Daily Kos blogger who wrote about the fire last week, is accepting donations for the White Plume family. Although they have found a place to stay, they are in need of financial support.
Update from Alex White Plume:
I send this message to all my kola. We went through a house fire and lost everything we owned, we are all alive, and coming out of shock now. Thank you for your prayers and support, we want to remain on the land. We appreciate the generosity of everyone but we cannot accept donations of old clothes. We are going to rebuild and need financial support. Our mailing address is PO Box 71, Manderson, SD 57756 or PO Box 535 Manderson, SD 57756. Every penny will be appreciated, we can go use a friend's computer occasionally so I am checking my email sometimes. The house burned to the ground so we are starting now to work to clear the rubble and prepare to rebuild. — alex
Find out more about the White Plume family at the POV Standing Silent Nation website.
Talk About This
Filmmakers Suree Towfighnia and Courtney Hermann:
As we reflect on the past year and look forward to the next, it is with much sadness that we pass along the following news...
On December 21st around 9AM, Debra White Plume woke up to a fire in their family home — the home they built from the ground up on their land. The home was a cherished place that emanated with their love and spirit. The White Plumes need donations to help rebuild. Please see below for ways you can help.
Alex wrote in an email:
"We are all alive and coming out of shock now. Thank you for your prayers and support, we want to remain on the land. We appreciate the generosity of
everyone but we cannot accept donations of old clothes. We are going to rebuild and need financial support. Every penny will be appreciated... The
house burned to the ground so we are starting now to work to clear the rubble and prepare to rebuild. Alex."
If you feel moved to help, here are some things you can do:
1. All proceeds from DVD sales of Standing Silent Nation through February will be donated to the White Plumes' rebuilding efforts when purchased
directly through Prairie Dust Films at: standingsilentnation.bigcartel.com
2. Make a PayPal donation to the White Plumes through Prairie Dust Films at: standingsilentnation.com/home.html
3. Send a check or postal money order to the White Plumes at:
White Plume
PO Box 71
Manderson, SD 57756
Although communication is slow, we hear that plans are being made for a house rebuilt from hemp and sustainable materials. We will keep you posted
on any news we hear. Feel free to comment on the Standing Silent Nation blog or myspace account: myspace.com/standingsilent
We appreciate your support of the project over the past years and welcome any help in spreading the word!
Best wishes for the happiest new year filled with love and sovereignty.
-Suree and Courtney
Prairie Dust Films
www.standingsilentnation.com
by Suree and Courtney at 5:30 PM on January 7, 2008
you go boys!!! you tell them this dog ain't gonna lie down.... our govt seems stuck in it's old ways with a lack of being acceptant to the changes necessary for the next generations survival, and if they don't survive our elders can't survive !!! hemp is one of the keys needed to opening the offerings of mother natures bounties that WILL provide sustainability......
by globalangel8 at 1:49 AM on November 20, 2008
I was wondering what is happening with the White Plume family today this is June 26, 2009
I watch the 6 part documentary on youtube and wondered how they are doing today?
by kelly at 11:47 AM on June 26, 2009
We wish the White plumes all of the best with our thoughts and prayers.
by steve marshall at 8:04 PM on November 4, 2009
For anyone who can't afford to help this family, maybe our friends can! You can share this on your pages by clicking the upper right hand corner of the article!
To the White Plume family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sarah Glbert
by Sarah Gilbert at 2:21 PM on November 8, 2009