Concert #3: Turtle Island Project Cowboys & Angels White Buffalo Calf Woman Society benefit

Munising, MI - Northern Michigan residents helped fight American Indian teen suicide and family violence during December 13 third annual free benefit concert in northern MI.

The non-profit Turtle Island Project (TIP) in Munising organized the third annual "Cowboys and Angels" concert that was held to benefit the White Buffalo Calf Woman Society (WBCWS) in Mission, South Dakota – the first Native American domestic violence shelter in the world.

The WBCWS battles domestic violence, sexual assault and an alarming increase in teen suicides on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation, the home of the Sicangu Lakota people.

Poverty, depression, a lack of jobs, drugs, alcohol and other social problems are among the reasons behind Rosebud suicides and family violence.

Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard performed original songs and seasonal music during the concert on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Falling Rock Cafe and Bookstore at 104 East Munising Ave. in downtown Munising

The WBCWS was founded 30 years ago by a group of courageous Native American women including current executive director Tillie Black Bear.

"The White Buffalo Calf Woman's Society and its domestic violence shelter are vital to address social issues like teen suicide and domestic violence on the Rosebud reservation," said Dr. Hubbard, pastor of the Eden on the Bay Lutheran Church in Munising, MI. "Women and children are treated with dignity."

"The Rosebud Reservation has been described as a Third World Country in America's heartland," Hubbard said. "Social problems on the Rosebud can sometimes seem overwhelming but the answer starts with a person donating money or volunteering their time and praying for the people."

The TIP has organized numerous free benefit concerts in the U.P. and SD for the WBCWS including two by Iron County-based folk groups, White Water and Duo Borealis.

Call 906-202-0590 email turtleislandproject@charter.net

White Buffalo Calf Woman Society
Tillie Black Bear, director
P.O. Box 227
Mission, SD
57555

1-605-856-2317
http://www.wbcws.org

Turtle Island Project
Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard, Director/Co-founder
137 East Onota Street
Munising, MI. 49862

1-906-202-0590
http://www.turtleislandproject.org

Turtle Island TV (blipTV)
http://turtleislandtv.blip.tv

Rosebud Tribe official website:
http://www.rosebudsiouxtribe-nsn.gov

Rosebud Reservation video stills by KOTA TV Sioux Falls, SD

Photos in "Sorrow on the Rosebud" graphic by photographer Lara Neel, Argus-Herald Leader newspaper
Kudos to reporter Steve Young, photographer Lara Neel & Argus Leader staff/management.

Why are young Lakota killing themselves?
South Dakota reservation's suicide rate said to be among highest in world
http://beta.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080921/NEWS/809210301/-1/archive

Despite stable home, teen chose death
Mother struggles to understand reasons behind son's tragic act
http://beta.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080921/NEWS/809210302/0/archive

Searching for solutions
http://beta.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080921/RESERVATIONSUICIDE/309210002/0/archive

Tribe takes steps to 'stop this pain'
Rosebud Sioux embracing range of strategies to stem tragic trend
http://beta.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080923/RESERVATIONSUICIDE/309230004/0/reservationsuicide

Opportunity presents hope for youth
http://beta.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080923/RESERVATIONSUICIDE/309230002/0/reservationsuicide

Son's death prompts desire to help
http://beta.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080923/RESERVATIONSUICIDE/309230003/0/reservationsuicide

Vids:
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=videonetwork

Falling Rock Café & Bookstore
Nancy & Jeff Dwyer, owners
Munising, MI
49862

http://www.fallingrockcafe.com