Least Favorite SD Town (Mitchell, Pierre: place to live, vs, pine)

[Jammie]

Pikie, I'm sorry to hear about your scary experience. Actually, you were probably quite safe going through there even if you didn't feel like it. We've been through there often and it doesn't bother me. Maybe it's because the whites and Indians have grown up together so we don't really fear each other???? But yea~the sign couldn't have made you feel too welcome.

What was your impression of Mitchell? Just curious because that's where I'm from.

[DannyBanany]

Pikie that's too bad that your visit to Pine Ridge was scary. I've been down there a few times and I always find it to be a humbling experience because it's so sad to see what little they have down there and how there are some that try to make it work. Did you visit the Wounded Knee Massacre Site? That was probably the highlight of my trip down there. We had a great American Indian tour guide and the way he told the story was very moving. Hopefully if you move to Rapid City you'll be up to venturing down there once more. It really makes you appreciate what you have.

Wounded Knee Massacre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[pikie]

As far as Mitchell, it seemed very nice and everybody was quite friendly. It's probably a nice place to live for those who want to get away from it all .

As far as Pine Ridge, maybe I will go down with a tour group when I relocate. I'd be happy to go, I've always wanted to attend a Pow Wow. I appreciate their "ancestors" rich history, and I have studied it extensively. Furthermore, my favorite movie is 'Dances with Wolves'. I Just hope when I go down there (Wounded Knee site), I am not given the guilt trip about how bad my ancestors were -- my ancestors who weren't even in the country (NYC) until 1933. On the other hand, at least they have a memorial for the 300 victims of Wounded Knee; I wish they had a memorial for the 40 million babies massacred since Roe vs Wade, but that's another story -- not relevant here. No offense. The Sioux of yesterday "were" mighty, brave, and self sufficient, despite the oppressing wars and encroachment that they endured personally -- back "then". I wish that spirit of self sufficiency, and bravery existed today in Pine Ridge. In general, I would also recommend that culturally "inexperienced" Americans travel abroad and see the other world.

As far as appreciating what I have, I already do. My best friend is from Ethiopia, I've learned a lot from his life experiences, and other friends are from Zimbabawe and Djibouti. Similarly, I've spent a lot time in my wife's country of origin--the Philippines. In the Philippines, they "don't" get free healthcare like Pine Ridge (IHS) residents "do". You are refused emergent care and surgery -- unless you pay the whole bill first.They don't get free checks in the mail either. No free diapers, mobile homes,food, housing, college, etc. They know the only way to better themselves -- is through education. It's amazing, you'll see dads work 16 hours/per day - 7 days /per week as a pedicab operator to save money and put their kids in college. Some of these dads even "sell" one of their "kidneys" to buy a pedicab...for real! 90% of these dads are always looking for an opportunity to make a Philippine Peso, because if you don't work -- and get drunk -- you don't eat and your family starves! Likewise, a lot of Mexican immigrants have the same philosophy and risk death in the Sonoran desert to support their families.They're amazing! The Filipinos and Mexicans, whom were also "oppressed" and "colonized" by white Europeans (both from Spain)-- could teach Pine Ridge residents a lot about family and hard work. They don't have a Rapid City, America nearby.The wages in the Philippines equates (U.S.) to about $150 monthly for most. Even nurses with 4 year degrees only earn about $350 monthly. Pharmacists with a Doctorate degree, who earn $100,000 -$110,000 here -- only earn about $600 per month in the Philippines.

As far as housing in the squatter towns of the Philippines: it's corrugated metal shacks which rarely have electric (unless they steal it), no hot water, many without toilets, no air conditioning despite 90F year-round, and all their food is made from scratch. When they have babies, it's at home -- with flies buzzing. You also need a mosquito net at night or you can get Malaria.These squatter villages are severely crowded, smelly, full of TB, and they don't have the beautiful --open country--views of the Great plains, Badlands or the Black Hills either. Pine Ridge is a country club -- compared to most of the Philippines, and all of Africa. Africans and Filipinos would die to have a chance -- in any part of America. A loyal mom and dad in every home, hard work, and education -- solves most problems.

[MJ1986]

Wow, that's so sad to hear stuff like that. I'm counting my blessings as I type!

There was a story in the Argus Leader today about the extremely high suicide rate on the reservations in SD:
Why are young Lakota killing themselves? | argusleader.com | Argus Leader

[pikie]

MJ,

That's appalling! Poor kids! This is so upsetting, I have to speak!

I wish I had an answer for that one. No simple solution, I'm sure! It seems like the reservation harms more -- than it helps. Why don't more people leave the reservation to save their kids, and have better opportunities? That's the beauty of Mexican immigrants, they don't wait and suffer -- they leave and look for a better life, despite not speaking English and risking jail. At least Pine Ridge Sioux Indians have the benefit of the English language and the opportunity to work off the reservation in a superpower --without the need of any immigration documents -- if they choose. My heart goes out to the kids. I wish they had better parents and more role models. I'm not saying that there aren't any (good parents/role models), but the reservation needs a lot more. Where are the reservation leaders? What have they done to improve anything, or to cut down on the youth suicides? The reservation and the leadership is broken, to say everything is fine and "some" are trying, is not enough -- children are suffering and dying.The reservation leaders are killing the kids -- not the U.S. government.

The leadership has too much foolish pride, and refuses to accept the the settlement of $106 million from 1980, which has now ballooned to almost $1 billion. I know they want the Black Hills back, but what will living there do to help them. It won't fix the broken families, the rampant child abuse, the rapes, and it won't make them all sober. If they want jobs, use the money to create jobs; however,they should take the money and invest it in their children -- not give it to the corrupt leaders so they can pad their own pockets.That money is for the future (children) -- not the past!

I wish our government could do more, but they are a separate independent nation.They apparently seceded --or some (Means) tried to -- in 2007. The bickering will never stop -- they don't seem to want it too.This battle will go on. They feel that they are better off without us, and don't want our help.We can see the results! You can give them the world, the Black Hills, and the results will probably be the same. Poor kids.

I know we got off topic here but this is "important" --"children are dying".These things should be talked about more. This affects everybody, especially people living in South Dakota. It kills me that the leaders would rather see their own children suffer and live in poverty -- when they have a billion dollars at their disposal. Don't they have any democracy there, can't the people on the reservation vote -- on whether to accept that billion dollars? Do people even get to vote on the reservation... at all? I'd say give them $5 billion, but let the people vote on it! Although, more money doesn't always help either.

I'm sure that it's a lot more complicated than we know, but kids are dying -- that has to stop now --period! Very sad!

[Chris19]

The problems with the reservations are appaling in my opinion. Much of the problems in the present day are self-inflicted and some are deep rooted with the failed policy of just handing out aid instead of encourage Native Americans to build their economies and be successful on their own merit. To stimulate economic activity, which would tremendously benefit the tribes, the tribes need to steamline their commercial laws to be in line with non-reservation laws (ex. private property laws, etc). I would like to see the Native Americans get out of poverty, but with enabling them to be productive, independent, and proud. This will be tough, but not improssible.

This philosophy should be applied with dealing with poverty on the reservation and elsewhere. Give a man a fish: you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish: you feed for life. We should focus on giving the tools to Native Americans to succeed instead of just handing out food, housing, etc.

[pikie]

You're right on!

Don't they have colleges (Lakota College) to get the tools? Aren't there any technical schools to get the tools, as well? Don't they have preference with casino jobs? It seems like they like they don't want it though, I hope I'm wrong.

I'm afraid we won't see any big changes in our lifetime. Poor kids!

[keepthefaith]

There's a favorite SD town????

[westriver]

Originally Posted by Chris19

I know about the certain numbers on license plates and know which numbers are ones that are quirky with their driving. Even with neighboring states. When I am in Sioux Falls or outside, the ones that drive me nuts are some cars from Turner County (slow and some drive like grannies and lack the concept of going with the flow of traffic) along with some other counties that are not coming to my mind at this point. Some drivers from Iowa and Minnesota that come to Sioux Falls are clueless and are just as bad if not worse than some of the Turner County drivers.

Ft. Pierre would my overall least favorite town after listing several towns I do not care for. Somewhat dirty, lack of zoning, and the mentaility of some people (not as progressive, lack of motivation, and not as supportive towards education compared to other areas) compared to what I am used to in eastern SD. To me, the town as a whole seems backwards and not as friendly to outsiders as other towns. To be fair, were some people who were decent, but others who were different.

you are from east side of river i can tell. fort pierre its a good town here you aint spent no time or got your butt kicked here. plus the west side of river is the place to live. you must live in s. falls................................

[ashnat]

Well, you're just representing Ft Pierre in a bad way with your English/writing skills.