This week, after all the questionable nonprofit organizations in the news, I'd like to highlight one of my favorite nonprofit organizations. Red Feather Development Group, started by Robert Young in 1995, builds sustainable housing for homeless native Americans living on reservations in the middle of nowhere. It all began on a 1994 visit to the Pine Ridge Indian reservation when Young became disheartened by the way the native people were living- no electricity, no heat or running water. He promised to do something. He sold his business and set up Red Feather, named after Lakota elder, Katherine Red Feather, whose home was the first Young built. Since then, they have been steadily building about 2 green homes per year.

This amazing nonprofit organization gathers volunteers and along with the tribal people, supply all the labor needed to build a home for a tribal family. The volunteers walk away with a life enriching cultural experience, plus, they gain knowledge about sustainable building techniques. The tribal people also gain expertise with building their own houses so that they can in turn, help the next family build theirs.

Red Feather's objective is to build a house that has low environmental impact, since the family's low income will require monthly utility bills to be very low. Red Feather uses straw bale construction out on these desert reservations where the climate is hot and dry during the day and cold at night. Straw is an excellent sustainable material. It's local, cheap and easy to work. In this climate, it also insulates perfectly, keeping a consistent temperature inside the home. Building A Straw Bale House: The Red Feather Construction Handbook is available on their web site.

Some of the smart, economically sustainable features inside the house include: double-glazed windows, stained concrete floor, radiant floor heating, recycled newspaper insulation (where extra was needed), low VOC paints and stains, cross ventilation window placement, CFC lighting, rainwater collection, native landscaping, and low-flow toilets. Their designs have been featured in Resource efficient Homes Across America.

A Native American family living on a reservation in need of housing first must fill out a Red Feather application for assistance. They must also apply and be approved for a low-cost government loan. The family can expect to pay about 40% of what the home would actually cost to build thanks to volunteers and building supply donations. They must be willing to help build the house, and agree to live in the house for several years.

Volunteers range from retirees to skilled craftsman to students learning about sustainable building. They all have amazing things to say about working at a Red Feather site. This is a rugged camping experience. Volunteers work six days a week from 8am to 5pm with an hour for lunch and a few breaks throughout the day. Meals, drinks and snacks are provided. When not working, time is spent socializing with other volunteers and community members, enjoying a campfire, hiking, and visiting cultural sites. There are seasonal festivals in the Native American community which, if your timing is right, you can take part.

"Red Feather has a seven to ten year commitment to the Northern Cheyenne Nation of Montana and the Hopi Nation of Arizona. For the foreseeable future, Northern Cheyenne home projects will be scheduled for the entire month of June and Hopi will be scheduled for the entire month of September."