FAQs

	What is the significance of the name “Diamond Willow Ministries?"
	Diamond Willow is a particular type of willow, a small bushy tree, that has unique and beautiful naturally occurring "diamond" shapes in its wood. Although it used to be found in abundance along the Missouri River, the construction of federal hydropower dams almost completely destroyed this species. It is only now starting to make a limited comeback. In the same way, unknown to most, there was a movement to Christianity among the Dakotas at the time they were first forcibily interned on the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation (1860s). In fact it is recorded that the first structure built on the reservation by the Dakota people themselves was a large willow arboritum for Christian worship. Unfortunately, over the subsequent years, due in large part to governemnt policies, and regrettably even by many that came in the name of God, this revival faded. However, it is clear now that God is doing a work here to restore hope and empower the Dakota people once again. Thus like the Diamond Willow, the hope that comes through Jesus Christ is once again returning to the reservation.
	Do the people of the reservation live in tipis?
	The people live in homes much like those found off of the reservation. The only difference may be that many of the homes are government owned and that there is a severe shortage in housing, forcing most homes to house many more people than designed to accomodate. Tipis are still regularly seen however at pow wows, special events, and even often setup beside homes in the community.
	Don’t Native Americans receive checks, “Just for being Indian?"
	No, Native Americans, as United States citizens, are eligible for only the government assistance programs that any other citizen of the country is eligible to participate in.
	Don’t all tribes get large amounts of money from their casinos now?
	Some Tribes, in urban areas, now realize significant revenue from their casinos. Although the Tribes of the northern Great Plains, including the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation, all now have casinos, they are generally very small and no monetary benefit from them is received by Tribal members at large.