Million dollar miracle at Northern Cheyenne

Northern Cheyenne Ministerial Association, Northern Cheyenne Tribal leaders and Everything Beautiful Thrift Store staff host a dedication of their new building, soon to be opened in midtown Lame Deer. (Photo by Clara Caufield)

LAME DEER, Mont. – On Sunday, November 17 the Northern Cheyenne Ministerial Association and Board of Directors, Everything Beautiful Thrift Store held a dedication of their new building, soon to be opened in midtown Lame Deer, capital, Northern Cheyenne Nation. The Ministerial Association is comprised of pastors and church workers from fourteen churches on and near the reservation.
The tasteful building built to the tune of one million in actual money, donated labor and materials is a galvanized steel structure containing a large space for an enlarged thrift store; commercial kitchen and community dining area; offices; community gathering areas and a full basement. Seven years in the making, it was financed through fund raising and considerable donations of labor and materials provided by many non-Indians across the country, as well as local volunteer effort. Local contractors, principally Tom Robinson, tribal member, were selected for much of the work, employing tribal member at Bacon Davis wages while others volunteered, satisfying community service obligation.
The new building may also allow for other types of community assistance: possibly a food bank, classes such as bead working, a craft cooperative, AA and other self-help meetings. And Vice -Chair, Ministerial Association, Pastor Dennis Bauers, Circle of Life Church also envisions tribal members building their own log cabins, assisted by a sawmill owned by that church.
The story behind this development is remarkable. “Who would think that eight ministers on a poverty-stricken reservation could pull this off?” said Deacon Jo Kristifek, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. “We didn’t even think so when starting out in 2012. It is only by the grace of Maheo’o (the Creator) this has happened.”
It started in an unlikely way. Often, well meaning donors would send clothes to the Reservation, but as there was no systematic way to handle that, those items were often unloaded in public places, subject to rain, snow and the elements. Through the moccasin telegraph, reservation residents would find out, come to hunt and pick, but generally a pile of debris was left, adding to the general garbage problem on the reservation. “It was not dignified for our people” said Willis Busenitz, Pastor White River Cheyenne Mennonite Church, Busby,
In 2012, the good ministers serving the Northern Cheyenne Reservation- then eight in number – met to discuss this problem, forming a nonprofit organization, then meeting every two weeks. Very soon, they opened a thrift store, housed in a vacant building owned by the Morningstar Baptist Church, which provided that space for some years, allowing the thrift store to gain a substantial foothold, widely patronized by the community. Suzette Cain Shreffler, Northern Cheyenne Christian woman had recently returned home from Seattle seeking ways to serve both her people and the Lord. Initially, she offered to manage for one year, but as the Thrift Store blossomed, providing critical and economical goods and other “pastoring” services to the community, she spent six years there, now gone on to good works in Pennsylvania. Current staff include tribal members, Virginia Ridgebear, Manager Desiree Two Crow, Cashier and many local volunteers. The Everything Beautiful Thrift Store has changed their lives, they say. As it has beneficially affected many other troubled Cheyenne, prayer and other support often offered.
The ministers quickly determined that a larger and newer facility was needed and although they conducted grassroots fundraising, dedicating the meager store profits to a building fund, they had not nearly enough money. Though forming a nonprofit, none of them had the experience, time or skills for that type of fundraising. So, they asked for help, including the Montana Rescue Mission, Vern Turner, the head of that becoming a main advisor and supporter, as did many others connected with their churches throughout the Nation and many Cheyenne of good heart. Some, such as Tom and Deb Lutke, Billings. had considered establishing a thrift store on the Reservation and were glad to help.
The results were nothing short of miraculous. June Beartusk, ace grant writer married into the Tribe stepped up, doing yeoman’s work, in part assisted by the late Rick Robinson, tribal member who helped access a private foundation grant. Within five years, the Ministers received $450,000 from the Montana Coal Board and several other foundation grants. That enabled them to purchase some fee patent land within the Lame Deer city boundaries, not wishing to be hostage to the whims of some future Tribal Council. Still, it was not enough to complete the building they envisioned.
That is when, as the ministers say, the Lord stepped in, motivating volunteers from across the country to help. For example, a Sheridan contractor, Sean O’Dell volunteered to be the project construction manager, traveling at his own expense to consult with the pastors weekly, often bringing a crew to help when construction finally began. Another South Dakota contractor, Terry Schultz, provided excavation, concrete and labor (with more exterior work to come) and many others stepped up. Sister church organizations sent volunteers – remarkable outpouring of support for a thrift store on a rurally isolated impoverished Montana Indian Reservation. One such is Vanna Schwamb, 93 year old tribal member from Sheridan who has for years, out of personal pocket gathered and donated items to Everything Beautiful Thrift Store. “That is the way Maheo’o works,” said Busenitz, Chair, Ministerial Association, a driving force behind the effort.
Dedication guest speaker, Suzette Cain Shreffler summed it up: “The Everything Beautiful Thrift Store has given our people dignity. We do not offer a helping hand. We offer a hand up.”
On November 17, the ministers, hundreds of Cheyenne and invited guests celebrated in the Cheyenne Way, honoring people (mostly non-Indians from outside the area) with gifts, star quilts and Pendleton’s, who made the building possible. The event was marked by several speakers, including Tribal President Rynalea Whiteman Pena who also stayed to help serve the community feast, (elders and guests first, she reminded); traditional drum group and many lusty lady lulus.
“It has been a God Send. We are just in his hands,” said Pastor Dean Smith., Morning Star Baptist Church, Lame Deer.

(Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com)

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