Monday May 11, 2009, 6:11 pm
HERE IS THE WRITTEN ARTICLE:

T.R.E.A.T.Y. Update #4

Dear Friends and Freedom Lovers,

As the last of the snows melts back and the turkeys finish up ruffling their feathers, the T.R.E.A.T.Y. School Summer Build has begun.

We wanted to let you know some of the progress to date and what we are looking forward to in the coming months at the T.R.E.A.T.Y. School & Ranch.

Completed tasks to date:

-T.R.E.A.T.Y. Dorm site finalized.
-Project Leads for Earthen Brick Dorm Construction & Completion of T.R.E.A.T.Y. School Tipi finalized.
-1/2 acre Garden site cleared of weeds as part of the spring burn-off. Returned ashes and coffee grounds to the earth. Removed fencing enabling us to TRIPLE! the size of the garden.
-Garden half plowed, with remainder of plowing & field tilling to follow this week (Thanks to Bo & Brady who brought over the Tom Cook’s Tractor!)
-Volunteers scheduled with specialties ranging from Plumbing, Construction and Electrical work to Permaculture and Mold Remediation experts.
-Cleared fence-line of fallen trees after recent blizzards.

Schedule for the Summer Build:

May 15th - May 30th - Spring Planting

-Yes, this is in less than one week’s time! We will be planting corn, beans and a variety of veggies including tomatoes, eggplant, melons & cucumbers, as well as sweet and hot peppers. We are looking to get three to six individuals to join us for 1 to 2 week periods. We will be planting according to prevailing winds and weather patterns. Individuals who arrive will be asked to bring a tent, with meals provided. If interested, please contact David immediately at the following email: build )at( treatyschool (dot) org. During this time we will also be cutting wood for community elder’s wood stoves as well as restoring fenceposts & fencelines.

The seven-room building will be constructed out of Compressed Earthen Bricks, a low carbon, low cost design. It will use concentrated solar thermal heating within the floor and be partly constructed from salvaged and recycled metals. Our most immediate project need is for an additional architect and/or engineer who will be able to come out to the ranch for one weekend in Late May to meet with our planning team and then again throughout July to assist with the build itself. Internships are being sponsored for this position. The build for the Earthen Brick Dorm will commence on July 1st and continue through the end of August.

Completion of Tipi Interior:

-Completion of the electrical, plumbing and finishing work within the T.R.E.A.T.Y. School Structure in July. Completion of second floor loft and easement in basement to allow for multiple exit points. Between the Earthen Brick Dorm and the Tipi Completion, we are looking for a total of 25 volunteers to work 2 to 4 week assignments throughout July & August. Experienced Carpenters, Plumbers and Electricians are preferred, but we what will most need are motivated, reliable and responsible persons who are willing to get their hands dirty and help get the project completed.

-Assistance with materials. We will need your assistance with procurement of electrical, plumbing and construction materials. We are currently seeking gift cards and donations for Home Depot & Lowe’s. By June 1st, we will have a complete inventory of needed materials and will distribute at that time.

Solar & Wind:

-Our goal here at T.R.E.A.T.Y. School is to become electrically self-sufficient by the end of the summer. Initially, we will be working with a small scale wind design with 55 gallon barrels. In addition to this capacity, we are seeking individuals immediately with Small to Medium Scale Wind & Solar experience to help with grant-writing, procurements and installations. Our goal is to also install Solar & Wind installations here on the T.R.E.A.T.Y. School Grounds as well as at the local Head-Start complex and the Senior Center here in Porcupine by September 1st, 2009. Once completed, this will be the first step in a movement to both create local power for the residents of the Lakotah Nation as well as generate much needed revenue and job creation for the local economies.

If you are able to assist with any of these efforts, please contact us so we can schedule your spot as soon as possible.

David Grefrath - build )at( treatyschool (dot) org - (605) 867-1111

We hope to see you soon and wish you a very happy summer.

If you can’t make it out, but would like to contribute to the build via Paypal a link is below:

T.R.E.A.T.Y. School PayPal

Also, Don’t forget to sign up for, and use, your OneCause Account. By logging on to this account before you buy on-line, The T.R.E.A.T.Y. School will get a donation from of every purchase you make at stores like Amazon.

http://www.onecause.com/members/722601/

Monday May 11, 2009, 6:35 pm
great news kat thanks kat noted also

Monday May 11, 2009, 6:50 pm
This is really cool. What a great learning experience it will be for them and so bck to their roots.I wish I could help but live so far away. Thanks Kat. O

Monday May 11, 2009, 7:08 pm
Great news Kat, finally construction for a school, it sounds awesome!

Monday May 11, 2009, 7:23 pm
What a wonderful thing this is..It will be great for them..
Thanks Kat..
Noted..

Monday May 11, 2009, 9:41 pm
What a wonderful, worthy, project Kat.

Monday May 11, 2009, 9:52 pm
What great news Kat. This will be a worth-while project and wonderful to boot~~

Monday May 11, 2009, 11:59 pm
I hope this treaty school suceeds,it would set an example for others to follow.

Tuesday May 12, 2009, 6:48 am
Wonderful program.Here's to its hopeful success...

Tuesday May 12, 2009, 10:56 am
Making this school electrically self-sufficient by Solar & Wind installations is Great. It leaves outside eletric and power without their PROFIT.

Tuesday May 12, 2009, 1:42 pm
Great news, can't wait to see the completion. Thanks Kat!

Wednesday May 13, 2009, 4:59 pm
Thank you Kat!