Region's homeless shelters awarded grants

Although the amount of money is half of what the organization used to receive, Susan Metcalf of Good Samaritan Ministries in Carbondale says a federal grant announced Friday will help keep the homeless ...

[Don_Melanie Bosdell]

Our only source of income was selling our crafts that we made, by sitting on the side of the road. It was always just enough to help us out. We prayed, and our prayers were answered. We had been looking for land to continue helping those in need. This year 2008, our truck broke down, we had been walking everywhere, it was rough, and we were still living in a tent. We went to a friend's house and asked if we could get online. We did, we found a place that was just right here on the Rosebud Indian Reservation and in easy driving distance to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. We didn't have two dimes to rub together, nor did we have a truck to drive. We sent our first offer to the owner of an old hotel in White River, SD. We said $1500.00 down & $200.00 a month, he came back with $5,000.00 down and $500.00 a month,(The Lord said try again, we did) We came back with another proposal $1500.00 down and $250.00 a month. He said Sold! We got the place, but we had to stall him for awhile till we got the money to send him, we worked real hard to do this.. But the Lord said, Stand Firm, Be Strong, Things Will Work Out, and They Did! Don's brother came through for us, they helped us buy our rig. We went to VA, remodeled his brothers house & rebuilt a wheelchair ramp for an Elderly woman. We had another job in SC, we remodeled a kitchen and made it bigger, plus built a wheel chair ramp too. We headed back to Rosebud, we drove for 2 days straight, arrived at the hotel early in the morning. We unboarded the door and went in, we knew it needed work but, to us it looked like walking into a Stephen King Movie. I told Don, let's go to Pokey's and sleep on this and pray. We did, we called the owner told him what we found, and made arrangements, to not pay monthly payments till 2009 July. My husband and I cleaned the place, one room at a time, the roof leaked real bad, we had buckets everywhere. It was Our Big Tent that Still Leaked, lol. Anyways, even though we aren't set-up yet, we have been feeding the homeless here in White River, SD. They have never had a Homeless Shelter on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, we are the very first. Before we came, several of the vetrans and some children passed to exposure to the elements. Alot of the people that we are helping weren't eating as often as they should, including the families. They'd try to at least eat some on their plates. They keep on coming now, we serve 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. Since we have opened the very first Homeless Shelter & Soup Kitchen on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, word has spread across the Reservations, on what my husband and I have been doing to help the people. We are seeing the people eat more, and we have even had a handful stop drinking as well. We pray for each and everyone here, that has touched our hearts in some way. The people here are Our Family and will Always Be Our Family. We have them hitch hiking just to come and meet us, and eat as well. We serve anyone and everyone who comes to our door. No One Is Refused, Not Even The Animals. My husband just started getting his SS check this year, although that hasn't been enough, just enough to pay a few bill's.(We Sell Our Crafts That We Make To Get Us By, But Sometimes That's Not Enough) We rely on Donations, Postal Money Orders, Cashier's Checks, Personal Checks, Food, Clothing, etc. Right Now, We are in dire need of bunkbeds & mattrasses(15), we make pallets on the floor, and have been sleeping up to 15 people so far. If there are any companies that could help us, that would greatly be appreciated. We are also looking to do Wind & Solar Power, Building Materials for the roof, Sprayed in insulation, Etc.
If any Company that would like to help us, Grant Writer's, Individuals or to just simply donate your summer too.
Please contact us at:
SunDog Warrior's
Don & Melanie Bosdell
223 E. 5th Street
P.O. Box 264
White River, SD 57579
[e-mail]

[Dog Lover]

I think this is a lovely work you are doing. Keep posting of your progress.

[Lies]

SunDog Warrior's is a BIG LIE... Don't believe anything they post! They say that "indians are treated bad in White River", "nearest store is 70 miles away", "cops break in their doors", etc.. ALL lies. They are using the indian people to build their house. They lie, cheat, and steal from our "poor homeless indians"... Many of the people that stay are local, that have a disease which is caused by alcohol. You don't help or try to save people by giving them a roof, but still allow them to party and carry on...Is that really how homeless shelters are ran? Do people get KILLED at homeless shelters? Enough said!

[EricEagle]

I live at Don & Melanie Bosdell's home. They opened up their private home, to help the people, not just the Homeless, the Needy, The Stranded, Anyone who comes to their home is Welcomed.
Yes, as a Sicangu Full Blood Lakota, My People are treated very badly by the White People here, as well as those Apples too. We are constantly harrasted, threatened by locals. Kind of like down south, whites towards blacks, but here whites towards Lakota's.
Don & Melanie Bosdell are wonderful and beautiful people, this should have happened 60 years ago. They are very good Christian people, very honest, compare to the White Folks and Apples.
The nearest store is 70 miles away, if you want to shop at Walmart, because the Wigwam here in town jack's up their prices double to triple the amount on Foodstamp day. So Don & Melanie take us all shopping at Walmart.
Most of us who live here do not have a home. But Don & Melanie provide us homecooked meals 3 times a day 7 days a week, we have living arrangments and a living room with a tv and cable, books especially Bibles for Biblestudy and church, a roof over our heads.
The Whites & Apples of White River, don't care what happens to us Lakota People. The saying they have here is "A Indian is better dead then alive," this is true. Many people have died here, before the Bosdell's came, they froze to death, families, men and women. If it wasn't for these wonderful and beautiful people, coming here to White River, we'd have frozed & starved to death, exposed to the elements.
We live at their home for FREE, they charge us nothing. All their services are for FREE.
There is No Alcohol or Faul Language tolerated in their house, we don't have parties here, like according to this White person or Apple, who has made this rude uncalled comment, that isn't true.
Don & Melanie have get togethers and picnics and invite everyone to come, they do it right outside their home. There are many meanings of the word HOME: A dwelling place
house, dwelling, residence, habitation, habitat, tenement, abode, lodging, quarters, homestead, hospice, hostel, domicile, dormitory, seat, berth, apartment, condominium, flat, living quarters, messuage (British), palace, shelter, asylum, pied à terre (French), hut, haunt, resort, cabin, bungalow, cottage, chalet, mansion, castle, summer home, rooming house, country home, place, address, diggings, shanty, wigwam, igloo, topek, hovel, cave, isba (Russian), lodge, villa, hotel, inn, manor, tepee, farmhouse, tavern, resthouse, barrack, tent, pad*, hide-out*, dump*, hang-out*, headquarters*, parking place*, digs*, nest*, condo*, where one hangs one's hat*; apartment, trailer.

Yes, we did have someone die here. He went upstairs to answer the door, because we lock the door at 10pm every night. When he opened the door, the person outside was in a wheelchair, pushed his way in. George LeadingCloud and Sam First In Trouble lost their balance and fell down a flight of stairs, where George LeadingCloud was injured and died. All an accident. It can happen to anyone, any where, and anytime.
If you want to know more about Don & Melanie and their home, or about how we Lakota's are treated, ask Us, not someone who doesn't know the facts.
Thankyou and God Bless
~Eric Eagle~

[Whipple Boy]

Every Thing is not a LIE i am Rosebud Souix Tribe Member and all the Lakota's in white river are treated badly if you don't belive that s*** then don't but in the bible it say treat people good and they will treat you right but if the son of a B**** is living in white river how wrote that S*** bout Don &melanie you better run and hide cause i will be looking for YOU.

[Lies]

I know Eric Eagle also, I know that wasn't his post! Melanie also writes posts for other people on here!! I also go to the Wig Wam on the 10th and the prices are NOT jacked up because of food stamp day.

Whipple Boy, tell me where you would like to meet and I'm there! You don't have "look", I'll be there!

[The truth]

Eric did not write this!

[EricEagle]

I live at Don & Melanie Bosdell's home. I asked Melanie to type what I said on here, All these words are from my heart, and those who live here at Don & Melanie's, such as Marvin, Beaver Michael, Gigi, Clarabelle, Joyce, Steve. Jerry, George, Fred, Sonny, Ryan, Joe, June, Jeremy, Waylon and so on...They opened up their private home, to help the people, not just the Homeless, the Needy, The Stranded, Anyone who comes to their home is Welcomed.
Yes, as a Sicangu Full Blood Lakota, My People are treated very badly by the White People here, as well as those Apples too. We are constantly harrasted, threatened by locals. Kind of like down south, whites towards blacks, but here whites towards Lakota's.
Don & Melanie Bosdell are wonderful and beautiful people, this should have happened 60 years ago. They are very good Christian people, very honest, compare to the White Folks and Apples.
The nearest store is 70 miles away, if you want to shop at Walmart, because the Wigwam & other stores across the reservations do have a tendancy to raise their prices on the 10th of every month, because they know that the Native American's are going to buy on Foodstamp day. So Don & Melanie take us all shopping at Walmart.
Most of us who live here do not have a home. But Don & Melanie provide us homecooked meals 3 times a day 7 days a week, we have living arrangments and a living room with a tv and cable, books especially Bibles for Biblestudy and church, a roof over our heads.
The Whites & Apples of White River, don't care what happens to us Lakota People. The saying they have here is "A Indian is better dead then alive," this is true. Many people have died here, before the Bosdell's came, they froze to death, families, men and women. If it wasn't for these wonderful and beautiful people, coming here to White River, we'd have frozed & starved to death, exposed to the elements.
We live at their home for FREE, they charge us nothing. All their services are for FREE.
There is No Alcohol or Faul Language tolerated in their house, we don't have parties here, like according to this White person or Apple, who has made this rude uncalled comment, that isn't true.
Don & Melanie have get togethers and picnics and invite everyone to come, they do it right outside their home. There are many meanings of the word HOME: A dwelling place
house, dwelling, residence, habitation, habitat, tenement, abode, lodging, quarters, homestead, hospice, hostel, domicile, dormitory, seat, berth, apartment, condominium, flat, living quarters, messuage (British), palace, shelter, asylum, pied à terre (French), hut, haunt, resort, cabin, bungalow, cottage, chalet, mansion, castle, summer home, rooming house, country home, place, address, diggings, shanty, wigwam, igloo, topek, hovel, cave, isba (Russian), lodge, villa, hotel, inn, manor, tepee, farmhouse, tavern, resthouse, barrack, tent, pad*, hide-out*, dump*, hang-out*, headquarters*, parking place*, digs*, nest*, condo*, where one hangs one's hat*; apartment, trailer.

Yes, we did have someone die here. He went upstairs to answer the door, because we lock the door at 10pm every night. When he opened the door, the person outside was in a wheelchair, pushed his way in. George LeadingCloud and Sam First In Trouble lost their balance and fell down a flight of stairs, where George LeadingCloud was injured and died. All an accident. It can happen to anyone, any where, and anytime.
If you want to know more about Don & Melanie and their home, or about how we Lakota's are treated, ask Us, not someone who doesn't know the facts.
Thankyou and God Bless
~Eric Eagle~

[The truth]

Eric did not ask you to write this you took it upon yourselves to use his name. Slander that is all I can say.

[Lies]

No drinking at the house? WHATEVER!! Everything you ever post on the net, Don & Melanie are LIES. How can you preach and use bible verses, etc. and still LIE about people? I am a tribal member also and I know and have known most of the people that hang around your so called shelter all my life...I know that all the people there always had a place to stay before you liers/cheaters went to White River. Eric, you also know that the "white people or Apples" DO NOT treat you guys bad. The only time people get upset is when some of the locals contine to ask for change (to go buy alcohol) and when some locals toss their empty bottles all over! A week before George was killed, he asked me for change and I told him that I wouldn't not support his habit, but if he was hungry I would buy him some food. I'm not the only person that does that either!! Don & Melanie have posted so many lies all over the net, you are going to get your asses sued for slander...you better post another "help add" for an attorney, I have a feeling you are going to need it. People are sick of your bullshit lies!! And sick of you two WHITE people using our tribal members. You have our "poor indians" brain washed.

[MORE LIES]

Don and Melanie are going to be in so much trouble because of the lies and the stories they are posting on the internet sights. People are standing in line waiting to sue those WHITE people who think they are helping the POOR INDIANS. These people party all the time in that basement. These WHITE people use the native american people to get what they want. They are not to be trusted. You might as well pack your bags and hit the road!

[lies]

you say it is a homeless shelter to raise money, but when the officials come to inspect the place all of a sudden bam it is your PRIVATE HOME.. WAKE UP YOU CANNNOT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.. I have seen People taking BOOZE into the place that they say is alcohol.. what I thought the damn place was alcohol free, how in the h--- are you going to help some one stop drinking if you allow them to drink alcohol and allow them to sit outside and drink on the property... GET REAL WAKE UP PEOPLE IN WHITE RIVER CAN SEE THAT BULL---- GOES ON THERE AND THEY ARE GETTING UPSET AT THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN AT THE (SHELTER) OR SHOULD WE SAY THE PARTY PLACE

[Lies]

If it's a "private home" and they are asking for donations....stating it's a homeless shelter, isn't that a crime-like fraud? They have stated on several web-sites that they are a homeless shelter....don't you have to be licensed to run a homeless shelter? Hmmmmmmmm, getting interesting now!!

[treatmeright]

what a sad sad lie, yes lockport ny you are so right I live here and know that the truth of what goes on in that building. homeless shelter it is not

[Unknown]

treatmeright wrote:

what a sad sad lie, yes lockport ny you are so right I live here and know that the truth of what goes on in that building. homeless shelter it is not

Are you sure of what is Truth? I spoke strongly against this too. My speaking in my language, I sent to their websites of how I feel. Maybe we should all get together and meet at the old library, and discuss more about, what we can do, just an outing for discussion. What do you think?

[Unknown]

Lies wrote:

If it's a "private home" and they are asking for donations....stating it's a homeless shelter, isn't that a crime-like fraud? They have stated on several web-sites that they are a homeless shelter....don't you have to be licensed to run a homeless shelter? Hmmmmmmmm, getting interesting now!!

Has anyone been in the home where they live? Are you sure they are recieving donations of cash? I have been in the their home on several occassions and I didn't see any donation box. I had seen packages of clothing sent to their mailbox, and the clothing given out for free. I also volunteered to go along with them to deliver food and clothing to some people on the Rosebud. I do know that, I did not see any alcohol there, not even downstairs, they have a rule in their house $.25 for every cuss word....I think we should all get together and compare notes....That's what I think. I have lived in White River all my life....

[Unknown]

MORE LIES wrote:

Don and Melanie are going to be in so much trouble because of the lies and the stories they are posting on the internet sights. People are standing in line waiting to sue those WHITE people who think they are helping the POOR INDIANS. These people party all the time in that basement. These WHITE people use the native american people to get what they want. They are not to be trusted. You might as well pack your bags and hit the road!

I say it's fun running people out of our town, who don't belong in our community, there are several who hang with them, maybe we should all get together and run them out too....Then the town would be ours once again!

[Lies]

Unknown wrote:

<quoted text>
Has anyone been in the home where they live? Are you sure they are recieving donations of cash? I have been in the their home on several occassions and I didn't see any donation box. I had seen packages of clothing sent to their mailbox, and the clothing given out for free. I also volunteered to go along with them to deliver food and clothing to some people on the Rosebud. I do know that, I did not see any alcohol there, not even downstairs, they have a rule in their house $.25 for every cuss word....I think we should all get together and compare notes....That's what I think. I have lived in White River all my life....

All you have to do is search the net and type in sundog warriors homeless shelter, don bosdell, melanie bosdell, etc...and tons of hits will come up where they are advertising as a homeless shelter (you would need to be licensed), and where they are asking for food, outdated food, clothes, lawyers, etc..for their "homeless shelter". That would be fraud! They charge 25 cents a cuss word? If those "poor indian people" are homeless where are they going to get 25 cents? LOL, whatever!

[concerned citizen]

Eric Eagle didnt post that comment. His main interest is where his next drink is coming from. But he forgot to mention that he gets his cash from working for the so called "white guys" and "apples" in White River. When did Eric become a member of the Rosebud Souix Tribe anyway?These people are not what the appear to be. They are working the system, and the state, tribe and city officials are their enablers. A tribal member named George died there a few weeks back in the basement, but it was an "accident"! So say it is rumored. Broke his neck, I think. Ask Eric, he is supposedly the tough man at the "Shelter".

I invite everyone to come and look at this crappy shelter. It is an eyesore to our community!! Talk about saving the native people from starving and freezing to death!! I have live here for most of my life and no natives have ever starved to death or froze to death in White River. I even read that Kenny Gere wrote that Don & Melanie saved his life or he would have committed suicide. Ken is not homeless. He lives in a nice double wide outside of town that is less than ten years old. This sun dog warriors thing is just a sham!! A bunch of bull.

[What A Lier]

When the Mellette County News came out July 22,2009 Don said that he was not running a Shelter nor was or have they ever called it a bed @ breakfest. Lies!!! When you look at any of the sites that they are asking for donations on it is the first Shelter on the Rosebud Res, and that have been helping all these poor people that would have no where else. Ya Right. Don also goes on to say that they stay there free of charge. Well they have been charging, may not be cash but the people that have stayed there have said that they would buy their EBT for only half of what it was worth.
On most of there sites they also go on to say that the nearest store is 70 miles away. They live 2 blocks from the Wig Wam,(and no they don't jack up the prices on the 10th. They would know that it they have ever shopped there). Even if they don't well lets see Mission has a store - 20 Miles away a new one at that. Rosebud has a store - 30 miles away. Winner- Murdo they all have stores so don't let them fill up full of S***.