Native American Habitat for Humanity Build 2017

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Habitat for Humanity-Dacotah Tipis is a Habitat for Humanity International affiliate located in Fort Thompson, South Dakota on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation. Located along a beautiful stretch of the Missouri River on the shores of Lake Sharpe, the local area offers immersion into the Native American culture, as well as excellent hunting, fishing, sightseeing and camping opportunities.

UPDATE: March 2017

2016 was a very productive year for our affiliate despite the economic downturn that created a tough year for quite a few non-profits out there. Here at Dacotah Tipis, we were very fortunate to have had some fantastic lone volunteers, some great small groups, and a few really productive larger groups, who came to Fort Thompson fired up and ready to build.

The construction efforts were fast paced giving all the volunteers options to choose their construction tasks more than they normally would've been able to. Construction tasks ranged from wall building, roof construction and shingling, to setting windows and doors, and installing the aluminum soffit system.

Our affiliate offers the use of pneumatic nail guns and staplers for easy, rapid construction. Many volunteers comment they have never used them before either on other Habitat projects, or perhaps ever in their lives, and once they become familiar with these wonderful tools, become very fond of them and quite proficient in their use within hours. This ability to fasten and build with pneumatic guns increases our productivity, and creates a more rewarding experience for the volunteers as their efforts get substantially more done in less time providing a greater sense of accomplishment. They may be slightly intimidating at first, but everyone leaves the affilliate with a new affection for these tools, as well as the acquired skills to use them proficiently and safely.

If you prefer a hammer and a pouch of nails, then that's what we want you to use, and that's what we will provide you. We aim to please our volunteers any way we can so that they have a wonderful experience.

Dacotah Tipis is run by a 30 year semi-retired California builder/developer who loves to teach volunteers. Instruction on how to use modern construction tools, the process of building the home at all stages, and anything about developing land into neighborhoods. He is currently developing 5 acres of raw land into a private street with six 3/4 acre lots. Three homes are complete, and we are preparing to break ground for the spring of 2017 in May. This process of building in continued sequence not only produces more homes per dollar, but allows volunteers more variety in what they are able to do and learn on the project.

2017 SEASON NEEDS

We will need volunteers to begin framing and rough-ins of electrical, and plumbing in house #4, House #3 needs some landscaping/dirtwork finished in the yard as well.

Eveyone is welcome to help at our affiliate at any skill level, for any amount of time. We have plenty to do from networking of Facebook and clerical in the office, to jobsite construction.

Thanks to everyone for the help in 2016. It was a fantastic year!

Don't forget:

Make arrangements for the 2017 construction season in advance if possible.

For more information contact:

Jim Huntley
Executive Director
Dacotah Tipis Habitat for Humanity

P.O. Box 487
Fort Thompson, SD 57339

Phone: 605-245-2450 hfhtipis@midstatesd.net www.dacotahtipis.org