The pre-veterinary club, along with Walking Shield American Indian Society, participates in an annual charity event that incorporates the generosity of students and faculty to provide toys, clothes and backpacks for impoverished Native American schoolchildren.
For many of these children between the ages of five and 13, there is little incentive for staying in school without the Walking Shield program. It was only recently that the organization decided to reward only the children who were enrolled in school, with the hope that a promise of gifts for the holiday season will entice them to receive an education.
“The United States has created a scenario that has lead to high drug and alcohol abuse among Native Americans,” said Dr. Leland Shapiro, chair of the pre-vet department,” often leaving children without role models.”
Since its decision to only give to children enrolled in school, retention rates have “soared” on reservations involved with Walking Shield, according to Shapiro.
Pierce College will be providing gifts for 200-250 children of the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North Dakota.
The reservations chosen are generally very isolated from major cities and factories. Because of their remote locations, residents of these reservations are not able to find a source of income or develop any skills any potential jobs require. Shapiro believes an education would help poor Native Americans succeed in the United States.
Pierce became involved with Walking Shield after Shapiro spoke with several homeless Native Americans while volunteering at the Los Angeles Mission. Shapiro learned of Walking Shield’s active involvement with Native American children and decided to immediately get involved.
Founded in 1986, Walking Shield has been working closely with tribal leaders as well as other high schools and colleges and the United States government to improve the living conditions of underprivileged Native Americans.
The organization follows the beliefs and visions of its founder, the late Phil Stevens, Special Chief of the Great Sioux Nation, who sold his own business and abandoned his 19 years of extensive missile defense experience to devote the rest of his life to providing homes as well as hope for Native Americans across the country.
Walking Shield, which was also Stevens’ Indian name, has provided more than 900 housing units and has offered medical services to homeless Native Americans across the country.
“Knowing that the backpacks we put together motivated the children to stay in school and learn to better their community is a very rewarding experience,” said Galleet K., representative for the pre-vet club.
Donors are encouraged to contribute a large variety of gifts ranging from coloring books and crayons to winter jackets and hygiene items.
All of the items donated are placed inside of backpacks, so the children have a place to store their belongings. Donors may supply the backpacks with their gifts, however it is not required.
In addition to making gift donations, individuals are also welcome to “adopt” students. He or she would receive the name, age and size of a child, allowing for a more specific gift to be purchased.
The pre-vet club asks that all donations be kept until the day of Tuesday, November 6. All the gifts will be sorted and prepared for shipment on November 10. Gifts can be dropped off at the Animal Sciences building, room 4101.