In an effort to reach out to those in need, Pinnacle Health Group has donated computer systems and software to Spirit Rising (www.spirit-rising.org), a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting Native Americans and preserving their culture.
Spirit Rising has been in operation for fifteen years and originally arose from Sun Eagle’s and his wife Gentle Wind’s vision of a better tomorrow for their people. Sun Eagle and Gentle Wind are a Native American couple who lives on the Mattaponi Indian Reservation in Virginia. “We set up this organization with guidance from the Creator and help from many good hearts,” they relate.
In particular, Spirit Rising works at helping those living on the Pine Ridge Reservation as well as other poor Native American communities. The Pine Ridge Reservation has a population of approximately 30,000 people and is located in the poorest county in the nation with an average annual family income of just $3,700. The unemployment rate there is 93 percent and the average life expectancy is 48 for men and 52 for women. Unsurprisingly, more than half of the children there live below the poverty line.
As a result of their continued efforts and the kind support of contributors, Spirit Rising has provided for those in need by supplying food, clothing, furniture, counseling, dentistry, eye glasses, utilities, computer literacy and much more. They also offer sponsorships for Native American children who suffer from poverty and generate ongoing programs designed to promote cultural awareness and education.
Since 1989, kindhearted people from the United States and Europe have sponsored over 800 children through Spirit Rising. Many of these sponsorships have resulted in strong bonds that have lasted through the years and have led to an appreciation and greater understanding of different cultures.