Native Americans in South Dakota (Rapid City, Pine Ridge: school, utilities, income)

[faulkton]

Posting something in a forum implies you want people to read and understand the message you are trying to convey.

Purposely using incorrect grammar is contrary to your mission, and should be avoided. Being a college student, you should realize this.

I cant believe you bothered to type that out, no one is going to bother to read the whole thing.

[Kherbert]

I found your writing and the majority of responses to such, uninformed to the point of repulsed laughter. Here's an informed suggestion, go live on the Pine Ridge Reservation. You's guy's stupidy will be miraculously cured.

Originally Posted by Farouche

I have read many threads on this and other sites, and finally was driven to register, as I have a question that compels me. I, too, am searching for a new place for myself and my young son, far away from the expenses and hassles of life in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I have quickly found out that, much as I would like there to be, there is no perfect place. (Or perfect job, perfect parent, child, mate, etc.) But I would like to land as close to "perfect" for me as is possible. That would be a place with wide, open spaces, natural beauty, interesting, friendly people, good economic climate, low housing costs (the median housing cost on the Cape is the mid 300's!) and low cost-of-living. I will be working in the healthcare field. I have been very attracted to Texas, and have visited there the last three summers, but I have to admit, I'm really not religious, not a Republican, and don't think much of Bush. So, aside from Austin (my son's name), I don't know if after awhile the "friendliness" of the natives would grow a little thin.
I've never been to South Dakota, but everything I've seen looks amazing. I've also heard a lot of wonderful things, but one thing bothers me immensely. I'm a great believer in diversity, tolerance, and social justice, and it seems the Native Americans in your state have been abandoned by your state government. I find myself wondering if I could live in such a state as this, where such neglect and inequality is tolerated.
Please, I mean no offense, but what do you South Dakotans have to say about this? It seems that you are proud of your Native American heritage, but South Dakota seems to be great for white Americans, and not so great for those who were here long before you. Please respond.

I, as many others, realize the writer's obvious over-use and mis-use of "rez talk." And, yes, the message is lost. But, would you like me to correct your writing? I see at least 3 errors! While the writer seems aware of his lack of correct grammactical rule misuse, you do not. Read between the lines. Always, look before you leap, and buy a harbrace. By-the-way (BTW), I couldn't bother to read the whole thing.

Originally Posted by faulkton

Posting something in a forum implies you want people to read and understand the message you are trying to convey.

Purposely using incorrect grammar is contrary to your mission, and should be avoided. Being a college student, you should realize this.

I cant believe you bothered to type that out, no one is going to bother to read the whole thing.

It is spelled, Oglala. Most people do pronounce it just as you have written it, yet, incorrectly so. Of the seven subtribes in the Sioux Nation, the Oglala are mainly from Pine Ridge. The Sincangu, are from Rosebud, etc., etc. They are for the most part Lakota and prefer to be called that over other names such as sioux or indian.

Originally Posted by uncleharley

There is a lot of good stuff in this thread. Too much to just let it die. I did notice that many people are uncertain what to call the residents of the Pine Ridge Reservation. I might be presumptuous in this statement, but it seems to me that those folks who live there would like to be referred to as the Ogalalla Lakota. At any rate, that is what they call themselves. Of course, if any non-resident did refer to them as the Ogalalla Lakota, they might wonder what that person is up to, but it might be worth a try anyway.

uh

[uncleharley]

Thanks for the clarification. You seem to have considerable knowledge of languages. Are you a teacher? Could you tell us a little about your experiances with the Lakota?

[CampingMom]

This is a interesting thread-happened on it by chance. I've found out that I am part Lakota Sioux since I found my birth Mother in the last year(always thought I was Irish ). Her father was born on the Rosebud Reservation and was full blood Lakota Sioux. I have much to learn about my heritage. Can anyone give me resources about the tribe/area/anything. I am very excited to learn about my background and hope to one day visit the area.

[faulkton]

Originally Posted by Kherbert

I, as many others, realize the writer's obvious over-use and mis-use of "rez talk." And, yes, the message is lost. But, would you like me to correct your writing? I see at least 3 errors! While the writer seems aware of his lack of correct grammactical rule misuse, you do not. Read between the lines. Always, look before you leap, and buy a harbrace. By-the-way (BTW), I couldn't bother to read the whole thing.

U so bad an tuff!

Hi kettle; im the pot!

[Jammie]

HI CampingMom, how wonderful that you found out about your ancestory. Several of the Sioux don't live on reservations anymore, but have integrated into white society. IMHO they are well accepted and welcome. The reservations are quite poor and so often they need to leave to get a chance at an education and at a good life. The Sioux Nation now own a lot of casinos in So. Dak. and have made some $$ from that, but due to some of the upper management, have been cheated out of a lot of the money. They still have Pow-Wows and if you get the chance to ever see one, I encourage you to do that. They still do something else, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it's called. Anyway, it's sort of like a retreat and they do something like our saunas and for them it's a cleansing time. I used to work with a guy who went to them every chance he got. He also said they smoke pot during the retreat, but I don't know if he was joking or if they really do. One of the things I find most fascinating about the Sioux are the way they honour their deceased. There was am internet video circulating at one time that showed pics of how they honored one of their fallen soldiers. It was beautiful. I also love the way they write their obituaries~"So and SO went to join the spirit world..." They also have a huge percentage of their population who become soldiers. I hope that a TRUE Sioux comes along and can give you some inside info. Just want you to know that you have a heritage you can be very proud of and that the Sioux are wonderful people who are so in tune with nature.

[sdgoldpanner]

Jammie,
Are you speaking of a "Sweat Lodge"?

Bob M.

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by sdgoldpanner

Jammie,
Are you speaking of a "Sweat Lodge"?

Bob M.

Yes, that's what it's called. Goldpanner,thank you.

[se7en kingstah]

well I have been around the south a few times...........even lived at the south tip of Utah for 11 months.........been to texas.....hung around a few down south rats.......so i guess you would say i have been influenced by them.....and yes I do say ya'll but for me its more like Yaaaa without the L's ........been places hurr and thurr........so I guess Im multicultural a bit more than others round hurr....ya know>>>>>>>>> Ight peace !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pejuta]

i mentioned in one of my posts for a funny story to read. did anyone see it? go to www.unitednativeamerica.com and read the article called bureau of white affairs. also if you want to do something positive. join their newsletter. its like a forum and has things you can get involved in. some of it comes from south dakota.