True Sioux Hope Foundation And The Global Family Guild, Family To Family Cultural Connectivity Event Galvnizes Investment For Native Americans On Pine Ridge Reservation
Swati Mandela, partners, and donors committing resources
Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota: More than 150 family philanthropists and high-profile celebrities gathered for a major event designed to galvanize long-term investment in the Pine Ridge Reservation, one of the poorest communities in America. The service-oriented gathering ended with large-scale donations to the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe, including 250 boxes of food from Thrive Market Partners, more than 200 Leesa mattresses, large donations from Deseret Industries, including business and operations training for the True Sioux Hope Thrift Store, and full academic scholarships for two Oglala Lakota Sioux students to Arizona State University. In addition, Eagle Scout Jacob Turley provided and led the donation of 200 hygiene kits, and other major donors made commitments for future investments in one of America’s most neglected communities.
The event was the brainchild of True Sioux Hope Foundation, led by Oglala Lakota Tribe member Twila True and her husband Alan. Participants included members of the True Sioux Hope Foundation, and family philanthropists, including members of the Family to Family coalition and the Global Family Guild, led by founding partner Swati Mandela. Joining in support were celebrities Baron Davis, Julia Ormond, Frances Fisher, Tonantzin Carmelo, Kimberly Van Der Beek, Zahira, and other proud partners of True Sioux Hope Foundation including Deseret Industries, Arizona State University, Leesa Sleep, and Thrive Market.
Swati Mandela, granddaughter of Nelson Mandela and a founding partner of the Global Family Guild, was moved to take action after learning, first-hand, about the obstacles that the Oglala Lakota Tribe faces. “One of my grandfather’s favorite quotes was ‘Education is the most powerful tool to change the world,’ and I fundamentally believe that is true,” Mandela said as she pledged to support the Tribe and make a long-term impact. “Education has historically been important to my people and my grandparents. So I am lending my support toward education,” she stated.
Source: https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/b89256_20d16f7e66d74b36a8b3bf1134a948e6.pdf
