 Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal members were given a “shot in the arm” from donor Hugo Chavez, President of the Citgo Petroleum Corporation, Houston, Texas. Citgo was the only major oil company to help indigenous and low-income families in the U.S. with energy assistance after pleas from senators after two devastating hurricanes and increases in fuel costs. Federal and State funding for energy assistance programs has decreased in the past few years.
The winter months and sub-zero weather on the Northern Plains have not helped to keep fuel costs down on Indian Reservations.
Mr. Hugo Chavez is a member of an indigenous Tribe in Venezuela and grew up in poverty and is a man of his word.
Approximately eighty-five FSST members signed up for $260 towards paying heat & fuel costs this winter. It is nice to know that a huge profit making company and one humanitarian has assisted not only his own people but also Native Americans in the U.S. with funding to help with their heating costs. The Great Plains Region has been hit hard with fuel and heating costs due to the sub-zero weather and wind chills. -Editor
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