Sacred Shawl Society

Sacred Shawl Society was founded in 2015 by Wild Horse Butte Community Development Corporation in Martin, South Dakota for the protection of women and children from domestic and sexual violence.  Until the new shelter opened in late 2015 victims of domestic violence had to leave the reservation to find help at shelters in Rosebud or Rapid city since the only shelter on Pine Ridge closed their doors in 2009. According to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Native women are more than three times more likely to be assaulted as women of other races. Most sexual assaults are not reported so these numbers are actually much higher and may be reaching epidemic proportions.

How We Help

Current operating expenses to run the shelter for a year is $200,000 with most of the funding coming from federal and private grants. Shelter director, Kimmie Clausen fights a continual battle looking for grants, private donations and other sources to keep the doors open. Food expenses are $800-$1,000 or more depending on the number of clients and most is purchased from the food bank in Rapid City. Utilities are always expensive fluctuating with the seasons, fuel costs for vehicles is another expense as clients have to be transported to clinic and court appointments in Pine Ridge or Rapid City, 120 miles away.

After employee salaries, food, rent and utilities their budget is pretty much exhausted which leaves very little for client’s personal needs such as toiletries and clothing or for perishable foods such as bread and milk, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent or other shelter needs.

Lakota Friends Circle sends $100 monthly to the shelter for the purchase of bread, milk, fresh fruit and vegetables from Lynn’s Dakota Mart in Martin.