One Spirit Opening Laundromat on Pine Ridge Reservation

PORCUPINE, SD—On a reservation larger than the state of Delaware, the Oglala Lakota people face logistical difficulties in the simple chore of washing one’s own laundry. 

The 40,000 Lakota who reside here often have to travel an hour or more off the Reservation to clean their clothes. That changes this week, says Jeri Baker, director and founder of the South Dakota-based nonprofit One Spirit. 

“We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our first laundromat,” said Baker. “This is an exciting new service that we’re bringing to the Lakota and one that they’ve requested for a long time.” 

One Spirit will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, April 11th. At the grand opening, people can come in, meet the staff, get to know the place and, of course, wash and dry their clothes. There will also be food for the guests and games at the laundromat.

For the grand opening, the laundromat will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Generally, it will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

The machines will run on tokens that can be purchased in the community and at the laundromat, and laundry supplies and snacks will be available for sale at the laundromat. Additionally, games will be available for kids—and adults—who are waiting on their laundry. 

From Pilot Program to Economic Asset

One Spirit first learned that laundry services were needed on the Reservation when it put a pair of machines into the Allen Youth Center in Allen, South Dakota for parents to use free of charge. 

“Allen is a small community, very small,” Baker said. “Nevertheless, the machines were being used almost constantly. If they ever broke down, we heard about it loudly and often. This was the proof of need for this laundromat, and we are thankful to our donors for making it happen.” 

So, the nonprofit decided to help bring good hygiene, and economic development, to the Reservation. It partnered with the Wakpamni District on the Reservation to renovate an empty building into a space suitable for washing, drying and folding clothes. The project serves a dual purpose: improving hygiene and fostering economic development.

Estimates vary, but it’s thought that Pine Ridge Reservation has an unemployment rate of more than 80%, which worsens the effects of poverty. One Spirit has structured the laundromat so that it keeps money on the Reservation while alleviating the impacts of inequality. 

Long term, the building will be turned over to the Wakpamni District, and proceeds from its operations will be used to support housing and youth programs. 

Or, as Baker put it: “It’s our hope that this, and our other programs, will help create loads of change for the Lakota.” 

About One Spirit

One Spirit is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that strives to provide sustainable, culturally appropriate programs that promote self-sufficiency, economic development, and educational opportunities for the Lakota people. Learn more at onespiritlakota.org

Contact: Jeri Baker
Executive Director
Spirit
Phone: 570-460-6567
Email: jbaker@nativeprogress.org