Dave Hanson and Eric Iverson completed the first Pathways' sponsored strawbale home in August of '07. We are very grateful to them for their expertise and willingness to drive all the way from Washington State 3 times during the summer to do this pilot project. Each of them has been in the home construction business for many years.

The home was built in a remote location of American Horse Creek. Look under the Summer "07 newsletter for pictures of the home. It is truly a beautiful home.

Dave and Eric are not yet convinced that straw bale is the way to go on the reservation - especially with cost incurred when the builders are coming from so far away. The home had a materials cost of $22.07 per squ ft. The per diem cost was about $16.20 per square foot. So, the total cost of the projects was $38.27 per square foot. Dave feels that is too high for that building and if donated labor was added in as a cost it would be impossible. Also, these costs do not include power or septic. On the rez, these are usually free but take anywhere from 2 - 5 yrs to get installed. We have no control over that fact.

In order to continue with straw and clay building we would have to reduce the per diem costs of the builders which would mean a lot of help from the local people in that community. Another way would be to have a team living from RV's.

The best way for this type of building to continue on the rez would be for strawbale builders to commit themselves to workshops on the rez that could train local people. This would mean builders donating their time to train the Lakota people who are interested.

Dave and Eric feel that earh-bag construction may be even more appropriate on the reservation. Much education and training for the Lakota people for this concept must take place.

With all this in mind, we would like your input and suggestions. We want to hear from builders as to a way to improve housing - in a green way - on the reservation. If you have building experience and a lot of compassion, we would like to hear from you.