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Once there lived these noble and proud Native Americans who were close to the earth, today they are displaced in their own
land and disillusioned with their own dreams. In the relentless march for progress, they were somehow left out. Today they
are the forgotten Americans.
We have always strived to recognize the great human potential of each individual; and to offer those in need a path to self-sufficiency.
Dependency destroys a person's dignity and self-initiative. We believe that true charity must emphasize self-help in order
to restore pride and independence.
AIHF is a non-profit, charitable organization that relies solely on private donations. We receive no federal dollars. Our
primary sources of funding are not huge corporate gifts or impersonal grants. Instead, they are individuals like you. Americans
helping Americans.
AIHF assistance is strictly limited to Native Americans - with priority given to the elders, disabled, and families with dependent
children. We serve any Native people in need with our main emphasis on Pine Ridge Reservation and the Rosebud Indian Reservation
in South Dakota. These two reservations according to the Wall Street Journal are the poorest place in the western hemisphere
next to Haiti. So if you have traveled to any place in Central or South America and witness the extreme poverty, well the
condition on these reservations are the worst.
In Pine Ridge, the infant mortality rate is 300% higher than the U.S. national average and the highest on this continent.
The Diabetes rate is 800%; the unemployment rate is 85% to 95% depending on the season. The tuberculosis rate is 800%; over
70% of the homes are below national standards and most need to be destroyed due to black mold. Recent reports point out that
the median income on the Pine Ridge Reservation is approximately $2,600 to $3,500 per year. At least 60% of the homes are
severely substandard, without water, electricity, adequate insulation, and sewage systems. Recent reports state the average
life expectancy is 45 years old while others state that it is 48 years old for men and 52 years old for women. With either
set of figures, that's the shortest life expectancy for any community in the Western Hemisphere outside Haiti, according to
The Wall Street Journal. The statistics just get worst.
So please take a few minutes and look over our web site. And remember, when you offer assistance, donate money or volunteer
your time - you are actually changing lives!
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