Rapid City, SD-- Three new members were appointed to the Board of Directors of Defenders of the Black Hills: Brenda Aplin, Exmouth, England; Harley Eagle, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; and Harold One Feather, Standing Rock Reservation.

Brenda Aplin, is the Founder and Coordinator of Lakota Aid Foundation, who also raises funds to assist the organization.

Harley Eagle, a Dakota from Canada, works for the Mennonite Central Committee as their Indigenous Nations Liaison, is one of the founding members of Defenders, and has helped the organizatioin since the beginning in 2002.

Harold One Feather, from the Standing Rock Reservation, has been actively involved with Defenders since 2003 when he and a number of other people, brought the uranium issues affecting the Grand River, to the organization.

Other members on the Board are Brian Brademeyer, Native Ecosystems Council; Charmaine White Face, from the Pine Ridge Reservation; and Clifford White Eyes, Sr., from the Rosebud Reservation. Charmaine White Face, one of the founders, has been the Coordinator for the organization for the past seven and a half years, will remain on the Board but will be concentrating her efforts on her appointment as Spokesperson for the Teton Sioux Nation Treaty Council. Brian Brademeyer, current Treasurer and also another cofounder, will assume the duties as Acting Coordinator effective Jan. 15, 2010.

Raffle Winners

Each year, the Defenders hold an Annual Fall Raffle with donations from various local artists and benefactors who support the work of the organization. The winners in the 2010 Defenders Annual Fall Raffle are:

1. Painted buffalo skull that was donated by the artist, Billy Swift Hawk, was won by Darrell Little, Rapid City.

2. “Remembering Grandmother” watercolor print donated by the artist, Genevieve Blue Bird, was won by J.B. Kills Pretty Enemy.

3. Nakoma print donated by Sylvia Lambert was won by Sofia Martinez.

4. A set of 6 antique pennies donated by Sylvia Lambert was won by Kristin Yellow Robe.

5. A silver bracelet donated by Sylvia Lambert was won by S. Wyant.

6. Buffalo wall hangings donated by Deb Little were won by Marilyn Pourier.

7. A pair of blue beaded earrings was won by Ike Werner, Porcupine, SD.

8. A pair of red beaded earrings was won by Tina Sparks.

9. A quilt donated by the Indigenous Uranium Forum was won by Jon Block.

Defenders of the Black Hills is a non-profit environmental organization of volunteers from all over the world, dedicated to protecting, preserving and restoring the environment of the Fort Laramie Treaty territory.

For more information contact Brian Brademeyer at 605-574-4152.