In July 1999, I participated as a volunteer in building a strawbale house on the Crow Reservation in Montana. The was a project by the Red Feather Development Group, which is an organization dedicated to building and renovating housing for Native American elders on reservations across the United States.

This house was built for Peggy White and her five children. Peggy had lost her house to a flood over 20 years ago and had been living in a trailer. We (myself and a friend, Janet) flew up to Seattle to meet with some other volunteers from Red Feather and drove to Montana from there. We stayed for two weeks, working for about 1 1/2 weeks in various aspects of construction. The house frame which was made of strawbales covered with cement stucco and the second floor of wood had been build already in May by another group of volunteers. Our jobs including dry wall mudding, sanding, painting the interior and exterior, adding the last coat of stucco to the inside and outside, lay floor tiles, carpeting and various carpentry wood work. Both Janet and I had no previous experience in construction, so we both learned a lot.

It was really hard work - long days and rather exhausting. But it was a very rewarding experience. We really got to know Peggy and her family and the other volunteers and it felt good that we were helping someone to have a better living situation.

Most of the volunteers left after the work was finished after 1 1/2 weeks, but a few of us stayed a few extra days and we were able to participate in a ceremony for celebrating the completion of the house. This was an unforgettable experience - one that I will always remember.

January 2001 Jestress Photo