Pop rock artist Felipe Rose, from the group the Village People, has performed as the lead singer with the world famous pop group the "Village People" for over thirty years. The group has sold over sixty million copies of their albums, which include such hits as YMCA and Macho Man.

Felipe won the nomination for “Best Historical Recording” in the 2002 NAMMY’s (Native American Music Awards) for his hit recording single “Trails of Tears.” In 2003, the follow up recording was released, “We’re Still Here: The Virginia Indians Tell Their Story.” That single was nominated for five NAMMY’s and it won the category for “Best Song/Single of the Year.” Their tribute album received Ten Nominations and won three NAMMY’s in 2004.

In 2008, the Village People received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Felipe Rose is of Native American and Puerto Rican decent. His adoptive father, Eddie Three Eagles, is Lakota. As a result, Felipe has often used his long standing fame to help make a difference for the Lakota people living on reservations in South Dakota. He has also donated his time for many years for various programs and projects benefiting all Native people. His involvement includes helping with organizations such as the American Indian College Fund, Unity, United Nation Tribal Youth Council, and One Nation Walking Together.

Today, Felipe is trying to assist the Lakota Sioux Reservations in South Dakota with relief recovery efforts critically needed due to a recent blizzard crisis. This blizzard was the worst to hit western South Dakota in decades as it swept through the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations on November 5th, 2008. The devastating storm left thousands of people without power and, one month later, there are still people on the Reservations without electricity.

The blizzard was completely unexpected. People became stranded and without heat, supplies, food or the ability to leave to get help. Roads were blocked with twenty foot snow drifts in many areas. Over two thousand power lines were knocked down. Roads remained impassible for days before snowplows could even begin to clear them.

Command Crisis Centers were established on both reservations and volunteers helped to distribute supplies to the communities. Some people were forced to walk many miles through the deep snow to get assistance at the centers and many families were isolated for up to two weeks.

The crisis on the reservations went unnoticed by the mainstream media, even within the state. After almost a week, the South Dakota papers finally acknowledged the reservations were still in crisis mode and without power. But two elderly grandmothers were flown out on Black Hawk helicopters by the National Guard for life-saving medical reasons and yet even that did not make national news. The lack of national media attention regarding this crisis on the reservations was appalling.

Since NDN News is in the middle of the blizzard-affected area, we immediately began to send out updates and press releases regarding the status of the reservations affected by the blizzard. Many radio and Native media sources helped get the story out onto the internet and word spread quickly throughout Indian Country about the crisis. A number of organizations and individuals from across the country tried to assist in organizing relief efforts or to raise donations to help.

Felipe was alerted to the crisis through the press release announcement distributed by the Native American Music Association (NAMA) in regards to their collaboration with the Link Center Foundation’s heating assistance program for the elders and disabled on the Lakota Reservations.

NAMA’s announcement referred to the NDN News November 11, 2008 press release, “Eleven Days Later, Disaster finally coming to a close for Pine Ridge Reservation.” After reading these two press releases, Felipe contacted NDN News to discuss the current conditions and his desire to coordinate a benefit aid concert for relief efforts. The concert will include the Village People and several other major Native artists. Proceeds from the concert will go to benefit Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations with various assistance programs and needs. Location and dates of the concert will be forthcoming in the near future.

Meanwhile, a future trip is planned to visit the Reservations in March 2009.

Through these activities, Felipe hopes to bring national media attention to the blizzard crisis and its devastating effects on the reservations. He also hopes to remind people that winter assistance is desperately needed even when there is not a historical weather event.

The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is located within three counties. Shannon County is one of the poorest counties in the county. Pine Ridge is the second largest Reservation in the United States, roughly the size of the State of Connecticut. The unemployment rate there is approximately 80-85% and the median income is less than $3,500.00 a year.

Nearly 60% of the homes on Pine Ridge are significantly sub-standard. Many are over-crowded and without proper heating, running water, sewer, or electricity. Temperatures often reach below zero degrees throughout the winter months, creating intolerable and life-threatening conditions.

Felipe’s passion for the people and for the cause is clearly apparent during his discussions. He has long been aware of the issues on the reservations. However, for him, November’s devastating blizzard clearly brought the issue of Pine Ridge to public light.

Felipe’s hope is that his activities as well as his music will create help for the People he loves. He performs from the heart, stating that if one song or one word can change a person’s life, it is worthwhile. Felipe views himself as, a catalyst and a voice for people to hear, someone with whom they feel familiar and comfortable, inside the mainstream entertainment field.

For more information about the blizzard relief efforts and past press releases, please visit us at www.NDNnews.com