Native Americans in South Dakota (Rapid City, Pierre: hotel, public schools, universities)

[Jammie]

Papooses, that was an excellent post. It's obvious that you have actually spent time there and understand the situation. There are no amount of hand outs or pulling someone up that will change things. You're right~it needs to be done from within. Guess in time others will also understand that.

[dreamseaker]

Thank you for an objective observation.

[starbar2]

I totally agree.... the American Indians are suffering in SD but this is not unique to SD....Indians in many areas of the country are in the same boat. The statistics are shameful! I am a nurse in California desiring to move to SD. I have a dream to help the indians in some meaningful way. While in nursing school I studied the PineRidge Indian situation.....I' have a deep love of their culture and want to help. Education and resources are key to success and quality of life. Right now I contribute monthly to a couple of indian schools. I wish I could do more. We as a country spend a great deal of money helping the needy all over the world but we have great needs in our own country and often turn the other way.....

[Jim Stokes]

You want to see suffering? The French/Native Americans in Duluth! All are hopelessly on welfare. The whole downtown is a "Frenchie" (as they're called) ghetto. All drunk and many in the last stages of Al K Hall, as they way up Nortey. That is, bulging eyes, skinny with big bellys.

Ain't funny folks.

[Jammie]

Star, I couldn't agree with you more. We're so worried about the poor and uneducated in other countries, we have no resources left to help our own people.

[phizless]

Wow lots of good posts. Truth in them all but only partly. I too am part NDN but don't tell everyone. Not out of fear but because its no ones business. From what we saw and from a very good friend of ours who has worked there many many years with a charity some need it and some abuse it. There is such a thing as the Creator helps those who helps them selves. Don't be fooled they are also into taking what the "white man" has to give because it is a getting even thing. They think of us as "Custers" I can prove that statement. With that attitude you can only guess what else they think of us. Sure whites took away their homelands but do we have to pay for that forever? Seems attitude changes is in order too not only on our part but theirs too. With these outdated ideas there will not be changes made. Would love to go back to Pine Ridge anytime and see things actually improving but not much chance of it. There was a friend of mine who donated a computer and net service to what he was told was a childrens art program in Allen then he found out the puter was being sold and the monies devided between 2 fellas So he is majorly burned out on helping them right now. Phizless

[mike8661]

When I lived in Rapid City, during the late 1960s I loved the place and although rampant poverty was apparent, racism was not. At least not until something happened that made me change my mind. A black airman who had a relationship with a native american woman was being discharged, and he planned to return home to the south. Apparently, he had not informed his companion of his plans until the night of his discharge/going away party. The woman, her son and the GI went out on the back porch where someone shot and killed him. The prosecutors office determined that the family members could not be compelled to testify against each other, so the shooter could not be identified, and the matter was dropped. All of this was reported in the Rapid City Journal. You could not help but to get the sense that in truth, nobody in authority cared.

[Jammie]

Good posts and I can't help but agree. YES, we need to HELP the less fortunate and give them a hand up, but the handout needs to stop. It's so impressive that there are a few members here who are concerned and want to help those on the Rez, but while I was reading their posts I was wondering how long it would take until they see the full picture and burn out.

[dreamseaker]

I was burned out the first week on the Pine Ridge. I didn't want to go back. Who would with a big black cloud hanging over them all of the time. But you know what, you can't smash all the natives into one boiling pot and call them mush. They don't have a way to make any money!! You and I are responsible whether we like it or not. It's our country's dirty little secret. I tell everyone I know here in the East, and their response is always the same. Why don't we know about this? Why are we giving money to foreign countries without taking care of our own? When I say, "take care" I mean send them lumber and nails so they can build their own houses. We need to work with the respected leaders of Native America (for ex, National Congress of the America Indian) for solutions. I don't believe in handouts either. If you are wondering why I hold the Fed. gov't responsible, it's because they are in charge of the reservation system (Bureau of Indian Affairs). Indians are soverign but the Fed. gov't controls the purse strings by treaty. This isn't welfare--it's a treaty obligation!!!!!
As for other comments, poverty breeds substance abuse, housing problems, suicide, starvation, and a "learned helplessness." Indians are not unique to poverty and the root of the problem is not inherently Indian blood. The difference is that no one is reporting the problems on the rez. You'll hear about the poverty in NYC, Appalachia, etc. but not the rez. Why is that?

[Jammie]

We may listen to different news channels is the only reason I could think of that you and others aren't aware of this. Pine Ridge is often mentioned on national news and in newspapers as being the poorest county in the nation. I couldn't agree with you more that we need to first take care of our own people, BUT I'm not sure if you realize all the things that have already been done for them and it's been thrown back in our faces. Twenty years ago Rosebud got brand new homes with everything new in them from bathroom fixtures to cupboards to sinks to new AC. It was only a matter of WEEKS that the houses were being ripped apart and parts were being sold to others. I'm talking about bathtubs, AC units, cupboards, carpeting, etc. They were given this free of charge with no treaty deals hanging over the government's heads. The only ones who made a profit in all of this were the bar owners in Wagner. I know this sounds cruel, BUT it's a fact and I personally saw it.

What we have done to the Sioux is inexcusable~I honestly believe that, but think of this scenario. The Sioux ran off the Arikara and they fled northward. The Sioux murdered them and did horrible things to them in order to take the land away from the Arikara. Do you see the Sioux nation building homes or sending monthly checks or worrying about the Arikara? Of course not cause it's a ridiculous thing to even think about. But the situation between the "white man" and the Sioux is the same.

How many conquerors have you seen that go to any lengths to help the ones they've conquered?

If you're helping them, it's good. If you're hoping to start up some old bad blood between the white man and the Sioux, let it rest.