Update (10/16): Hulu link here.
66 thoughts on “ABC News 20/20 Report on Poverty of Lakota Children”
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Turtle Talk 
Hooray for ABC News and Diane Sawyer. I hope many watch this documentary. It will show the shame that the United States Government is lacking. Politicians should show remorse but they do not. Like I have said before, the United States Government did worse to the First Americans than Adolfe Hitler did to the Jews in his time. They are ugly people with no heart. If the First Americans had been like them, they would have killed the Intruders as they hit the soil. Too bad the most important tribes did not listen to Tecumseh.
Thanks for posting this, I didn’t know that was on tonight and I look forward to watching it! Thanks a lot!
I watched 20/20 it made me ashamed for our government. I hope some of the money made on the reservations goes to help fund for better schools. I wish there was more resources for the addiction problem. Why doesn’t Warren Buffett and some of these other billionares help to start business in South Dakota to give some of these people jobs.
Can You ask Ty Extreme Makeover Home Edition to build a school for The Lakota Children?
Ty Please Move that Bus to South Dakota Lakota Indian Reservation
i cried and was angry at the same time. How dare the U.S. Gov’t not help these people? i wish i could make my g’daughter understand how good she has it, when she whines 4 pizza & some of those children at times have nothing 2 eat.
I usually don’t watch these type of shows, however this documentary on Lakota children was very sad and should not be tolerated by the people of the USA
The USA sends Millions to Africa and the Middle East and many other countries and we are treated like crap from them all.
We should be sending money to tribes like the Lakota’s their living conditions are unbelievable those children and families living in squalor like they do. Trailers with leaky roof rotted flooring etc.
Why doesn’t Fema send their unused trailers to them.
I think it is a shame that we give millions to drug addicts and food stamps top people who don’t care to better themselves right here in our country, yet the indians who deserve better are treated like animals.
I am ashamed of our country when it comes to situation like this.
I cannot believe that there are not politicians in DC who would not attempt to bring this to the forefront of the people and Congress.
It’s about time we took care of our own and not take care of those who slap us in the face.
We send money to help other countries in a crisis , but forget our own. We live in economc crisis here at home and it is up to us to help. I have gone two winters with no fuel in my tank and am at least able to burn wood. I have gone thru forclosure and suceeded . I know what it is like to suffer. I again will burn wood . But these children did not ask for this . We as a nation must help. I have posted it to my facebook and asked all friends just to send $10.00 each . I will save mone to help. Maybe we could all sponsor a child or the school. I will email some tv evangelist also. We live in the land of the free and plenty! Remeber.
Being a Native Alaskan, I watched this episode with open mind, having been in this area before I was aware of the conditions the childern are faced with. Reservation life is harsh and when viewed openly and witnessed in the warmth of homes nationwide it hard to swallow, specially when most families veiwing this have full bellies and sitting in their snugglies with a puppy on their lap. I ask where is HUD, to help with the homes, where are the Energy assistance programs to assist with heating programs. I have visited many Villages in Alaska and see how positive the results are with a nice home and new schools. I hope this program open not only minds but hearts as wel, Native Americans are a proud people, we are not victums, we are the results of white mans progress, some may call it collatoral damage, many times the light at the end of the tunnel has been a train bearing down on us, but we live on. I’m inspired to see the positive outlook the kids carry. Pride connected to culture, not through a cell phone which most teen carries like a life support system now days else where. Good Job all. In closing I wish to add, I saw similiar conditions a block behind the White House in Washington D.C.
we’ve been to pine ridge & white clay several times. the conditions are deplorable. (sad would be a better word)..the federal government thrives on control of not only the indians, but the working class. we the people have given the government too much power..the leaders of the proud indian nation should stand together & shut down white clay (which seems to be the root of the problems) & work to get productive businesses to start up on the reservation…
we’ve been to red cloud school which is an example of the wonderful work that can be accomplished…we’ve also attended a pow wow at st.joseph’s school, & support them through an annuity..
we commend abc news for the job they did covering this situation & hopefully, all who viewed will become aware of how unjust the federal governent was & continues to be…
I chanced upon the 20/20 Lakota Indian show last evening when I returned from work. I found it very interesting and would like to know what a common citizen like me can do to help or encourage our sadly malfunctioning U.S. Congress to do something about the plight of American Indians?
Years ago I wrote to a priest on the Rosebud Reservation and I would like to help again if I could. I’m 83 years old, my husband is 92, we live on a limited income. We can’t do much financially but if letters to U.S. Congress would help, I would like to do it. Please don’t stop showing things about American Indians.
Sincerely,
Sara L. Morrison
1 Circle Drive
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2337
slmiowa2000@yahoo.com
That was the first thing I thought of too. That or fix or build decent housing
This was good coverage as far as educating America about the plight of reservations. All reservations are not rich from gambling. The New York Times has done a lot to perpetuate the myth that Indians are rich at the expense of white people. The reservation problems are deep and complicated and people in America need to educate themselves. We are all to blame for not finding out the truth about the First Americans.
Ty PLEASE move that bus to South Dakota!!!
We should be ashamed for not helping our Native Americans….they are our ancestry……wish I could help in some way….
I was in tears!
How could I get a hold of Robert LooksTwice?
Thank you.
@ Ronnie, at some point every human being must take responsibility for their actions and choices. 80% alcoholism? 4 million cans of beer sold out of 4 liquor stores of an extremely small town of non-Native? I have no doubt that some of the non-Natives are drinking too. But, let’s face it, there is just not enough people in that small town to make anywhere near a scratch into those numbers. Things would not be nearly as bad for many of them if they made the active choices to stay away from the drugs and alcohol.
Oh, I absolutely agreed that there should be some sort of backpack program or something set up for the kids to take food home on the weekends like they do around the low income schools here. The children should NOT suffer because their parents are choosing to spend their money on drugs and alcohol! It did show that there is a casino on the tribal lands. Maybe the tribe should earmark some of the profits from the casino to start up some sort of program like that.
It may be surprising to may to know that right here in my State, MI, there are FAR TOO MANY non-native people forced to live either on the streets or in trailers/houses that are full of roaches, bedbugs, black mold, leaking pipes, rotting floors, etc. The State is broke and there have been huge cut backs on the State Aide that they give people. I agree that our Country needs to start helping the people right here at home ,BUT, I do not believe that it should just be limited to help on tribal lands. You indicate you think it’s shameful to give millions to drug addicts and food stamps to people who don’t care to better themselves. Well, what do you think the 80% alcoholics/drug addicts in that tribe are doing? They may not be getting food stamp (idk) but they are definetly receiving commodity foods that would be the equivalent of them having food stamps.
Unfortunately, the TV evangelists do not really appear to be doing God’s work and helping the poor. Wearing their thousand dollar suits and rolex watches, it appears they are more into helping themselves.
Ty you should move your bus to the reservation and try living one day in their lives. take it from a native american Lakota Sioux herself. thats right me. im ten and even i know the truth that christopher columbus is a big fake. and that after natives helped europeans out on thanksgiving the europeans killed every native they saw. i know what my teachers try to teach me is not true. they say he was the first 1 here. yet he was not.
Robert Looks Twice is a wonderful boy who has some of the same goals in life as me such as being 1st native president.
I am a social worker. Unfortunately, I see these type of conditions all over my county and I do not live near any reservation. It is “White Man”, “Black Man” and “Hispanic Man” that are being left as collateral damage to the “WEALTHY”. Color has NOTHING to do with this shameful treatment of ALL POOR AND DISENFRANCHISED.
@ helen&ed, Thank you for being the ONLY other person thus far that has acknowledged that it is not just the Native People that are being allowed to live in these types of deplorable conditions.
I was sickened by the conditions I observed the children being forced to live in. Children going without food and heat with parents who don’t have the money to provide appropriate food, shelter and/or heat for their families but who do apparently have the ability to come up with money to blow on 4 millions cans of beer per year and/or drugs. In “WHITE MAN” society, Children’s Protective Services would step in, remove the children from the neglectful parents and place them into foster homes until their parents get their acts together. Maybe that should be the track the government takes for the short term. Get the kids out of the homes of the drug addicts/alcoholics that are so caught up in their own degradation that they are failing to see what is most important, their children. Give all of the drug addicts/alcoholics treatment and training and IF they get their $h!% together, then give their children back to them. If not, then let the children have a decent chance at a life by leaving them with functional families. Yes, the children should all continue to have access to their culture, even if they do not have enough appropriate Native foster families to accept them all. But, FIRST AND FOREMOST, give these children the change they all deserve.
I watched the program last night with great interest. It was so awesome to see the potential among the Lakota people that mostly needs roadblocks removed to be fully unleashed. Were those not some of the coolest kids ever? It was also so very sad to see the costs of poverty, neglect, chemical abuse, and laws designed to hold them down. I am all ears, how can I be a better friend to my Lakota neighbors?
Frank
Dickinson, ND
Where can we donate to help. Thank you.
Amazing, my first thought, too, was of Ty and his Extreme Makeover Home Edition Show building something, anything for the Lakota. If not Ty, then maybe some other grass roots organization.
I watched with shame and tears running down my face. I just never knew the true situation. I am so sorry…..I’m crying as I write this blog. The one thing I can control is to pray and ask Spirit to bestow blessings on, not only the children featured in this 20/20 piece, but All of Earth’s people in their life’s journey.
Thanks for doing a report of the needs of our own country. There is as much poverty here as else where. Glad you focused on Native Americans. Please continue showing how well we aren’t doing and who they are. Detroit and other places.
I don’t know how to create this, but was thinking even though many reservations are in wastelands there still is some kind of vegetation. A university study (someone can do their thesis) can utilize the reservation and it’s people to find what can grow. It can encourage a certain percentage to go to school to be come horticulturists, botanists. Before that the university can educate people to start growing plant life. The tribe can create income in growing plants, trees, etc. Even if it is to only create the many colors of green around them.
Once the natives start growing hay and corn they can take the wild horses that roam and worry the U.S.A. into native hands. This is something that can easily become indians’ domain as it once was.
Just a few ideas. Hope more connected people do more.
That occured to me too. Extreme Makeover and maybe Habitat for Humanity. I also think people could/would donate $10 a month to a fund that would facilitate this.
Yea, but what has ABC done for these people, that’s where it should start as these poor people are continuing to be exploited by big business which the gov’t has support for too long and not the people that truly need the help and support!!!
I would think the least they could do is build a new house/school for these kids right now and not tomorrow. I think it is outrageous that the network has the balls to ask that viewers contribute w/o showing anything they have done, there’s the corporate greed again and what many people are now protesting about. If I missed something, than I will stand corrected but until I see something from ABC, than the buck should start with them!!! Thank you a pissed off person, and Diane, I hope you read this and if your network does nothing than you should….love in world if there wasn’t so much greed in it.
Here is a link to the resources ABC collected and posted on the site dedicated to the special.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/organizations-seek-donations-improve-life-pine-ridge/story?id=14729358&page=1
Always being drawn to Native American Culture, I watched this special. I knew things were bad, but this was unbelievable. My husband and I have been going to South Dakota for vacation for the past 17 years and would love to live there someday. I would love to help in anyway I could. I am ashamed of the way our government has treated these first Americans, then and continue to do so. They give them just enough to keep them poor and dependent. I also have 27 years of being clean and sober and it breaks my heart to see how alcohol is destroying an entire culture. These little children hardly stand a chance if things don’t change. On my walls in our home are many beautiful prints, purchased at Prairie Edge, of Lakota children. My heart has always been drawn to them. I have been praying for them, but truly want to help if it’s possible. Please tell me how I can.
We ALL, as Americans, should be wanting to do something about this situation; it is LONG overdue. Let those of us who want to help in some way do so. Thanks.
I
Mo, you are absolutely correct. I thought the same thing. She was supposedly there with them for over a year doing that documentary. The boy, with very little money, purchased her a traditional blanket. What has she contributed to them? Yes, she did this documentary to bring this to the public’s eye. But, she was PAID to do so. If she were to reciprocate the cost of the gifted blanket based upon percentage of yearly salary, I’m sure that blanket could be reciprocated with at least a single wide trailer or a few years worth of fuel oil for that family. AND, if she would do another program and make donations of gifts like trailers, etc. SHE makes enough to take it as a business expense write off and really wouldn’t be out anyway. ABC could also take tax write offs for donations there. They just need to find the desire to do so.
Thanks for your one-sided view. When white society destroys an entire culture, invites pediphiles to torture our children, subjugate us and put us in concentration camps, take our children away because of this it is very sad. Hitler modelled his concentration camps on Indian reservations. We don’t have alcoholics. We have people in pain.
People are in pain all over. Yes, there are alcoholics and drug addicts all over as well. But, many people come from extreme dysfunction and make the active choice to NOT abuse substances. THE ADULTS ARE ACTIVELY CHOOSING TO TAKE THE PATH THEY ARE ON. No one is opening their mouths and pouring the liquor down their gullets. They are making active choices. THE POOR CHILDREN ARE HAVE NO CHOICES. If adults want to actively choose to drink and drug instead of having food, clothing, shelter and heat, that is their business. But, when your active choices effects children, then someone responsible MUST step in and PROTECT the children from the poor choices the adults are making. You state they are not alcoholics. Over 4 million cans of beer purchased out of 4 stores in a town containing 14 people!?! If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck… And, yes I am quite aware that Hitler modeled his concentration camps after Reservations. In no way, shape or form do I believe it was right or just. But, just like the Jews left them the first chance they had, so could the Native Americans that choose to stay there. I understand people don’t want to disassociate from their culture, but culture can go with you. Look at the Jews, only a VERY SMALL number of Jews have actually went to live in Jerusalem but they carry their culture is with them.
There is a non-profit organization in West Chester, OH that is run by a team of volunteers. ALL MONEY/DONATIONS GOES DIRECTLY TO THE CHILDREN OF PINE RIDGE. It is called Backpacks For Pine Ridge Fund c/o The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty Township 5641 Union Centre Dr., West Chester, OH 45069. Every year they provide loaded backpacks to children there.
The entire episode moved me and I was saddened by the conditions of the reservation and of all of the poverty, alcoholism and overall conditions. One of the things that struck me the most is the “regulations” that the government has in place. We can donate all we want, but without the removal of governments “red tape”, the people that live on these reservations can not help themselves. The comment made by the woman that “they are regulated more than a Nuclear power plant” makes me think the government wants to keep these people down. I’m sure if they can open up their own businesses, provide for their own community, they will contribute to their own children’s futures. I am not at all familiar with the red tape and the government’s laws on the reservations, but I do think our government needs to start with some positive changes for these people. Did the government give back the 17 million acres they took away when they broke the treaty? Maybe they should start there. Maybe a petition should be started to change and or remove some laws and regulations???? I can see Robert Look Twice become Mayor of Pineridge Reservation….. I can see Uncle Matthew own and operate a shop that would employ others making the tribal dance clothes. How about a neighborhood buffalo burger joint??? hmmm.
SBA, MADD, Habitat for Humanity, Blue Santa, and many more organizations that are here in the US could get together and help make a difference….. but would it REALLY make a difference if the laws and regulations don’t change?….
I hope someone or a group takes this as a project & let us all help.If Ty goes he needs to build more less elaborate housing. I’m praying we can all really make a change .
Yes the hypocrisy of these churches is sickening, all they care about is when can they build there next bigger church an get more people to come in so they can get more money for there nice houses an whatever else they are hiding from the world ,but God knows there heart an they will have eternity to cry an wail where they are going, an it isn’t where angels live either,so they will reap what they sow ,there not getting away with anything in the next life , Pine ridge when entering it thru Nebraska is the most clean an beautiful place until you come into town,then all you see is there run down houses an junk cars everywhere, Im part Indian, but Im still not trash an these people don’t seem to care if there land an houses are run down an look like crap, that the only thing that pisses me off more then anything. You can be poor ,but you can be clean also, have some pride people an get your town cleaned up an then the world will respect you an want to help you more. Joe Allen
Very well put Joe Allen. That goes along the lines of what I was saying before, it’s all about personal choices. No actually chooses to be poor, but we can make choices within the situations we have been dealt.
I know after watching this episode I am forever changed. My heart goes out to little Louise, I too have struggled with depression. I look at these young children with so little and see how they seem to appreciate all they do have. I have three children, whom I have tried to give them everything they want, and they appreciate nothing. I would like to know how I can help
Apparently, some of you did not watch the whole show or you just did not get it. These people were put on this land with no means available to them to get a job, isolated hidden away from society, with nothing they can do but drink or use drugs. You notice there was no business around other than a liquor store, they were taught no better. Instead of criticizing these neglected people why don’t you do something to educate them or bring in businesses to provide jobs for them. To those of you who believe taking their children away is the answer you obviously don’t have kids and know how traumatic and painful to both the child and the parent would be, those emotional scares would just further the alcohol abuse. You are so ignorant to the wrongs our government has bestowed upon these people. Rather than judge them do something to help these parents, and in doing so the children will be given a chance at life .
I would like to know how to help the pine ridge school
i would like to know as well it is soo sadd to see americans in that condition and angers me when people put big advertisements to help other countrys children help the first born americans i would love to donate an amount of money to help every month it aint much but if everyone helps its alot
The comments here shows me that the show did what I feared it would do: illicit bleeding-heart pity from some Americans while reinforcing the unbearable prejudices that Indians having been putting up with for centuries from the rest (just look at the posts by K – a person who obviously thinks that they know what it is to have “walked a mile in the moccasins of someone else,” but clearly hasn’t).
Thanks, Diane and ABC. Thanks for reinforcing “How!” as a proper greeting to any Indian of any tribe. Thanks for reminding intolerant Americans like K that they may dismiss all Indians as shiftless, dirty, lazy alcoholics on the blanket.
Thanks a lot
Maybe Oprah could help there instead of another country? This is a disgrace that they’ve always been left without any thing. Please give to the charities associated. Even we little people can help with a few bucks and winter is coming. Also, lets some teachers and training for these depressed forgotten nation. they have brains too
I have some information as to how you can help. The following addresses are places to contact.
AMERICAN INDIAN RELIEF COUNCIL
P.O. BOX 6200
RAPID CITY, SD 57709
1-800-370-0872
http://WWW.AIRC.ORG
RED CLOUD INDIAN SCHOOL
PINE RIDGE,SD
ST.JOSEPH’S INDIAN SCHOOL
CHAMBERLAIN,SD 57326
(605) 234-3300
http://WWW.STJO.ORG
I HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU.
The funny thing… Alot of what they said wasnt even true. I may be only 17 but my mom is from around that reservation and getting into that college is not as hard as they set it out to be. To the people who critisize the people they saw on tv from the pine ridge reservation, I critisize them too. I have two little nephews, and a little niece who were take away from their mom, my sister, and given to their dad who is a tribal police man but continues to abuse his own damn kids, and i love those kids so much. My little niece who i claim as my little sister and she claims me as her older sister, she has tried to kill herself so many times…. The things her dad and ugly step mom do to her and her little brother are just awful… but what will the court do? NOTHING, nobody really seems to care they are all lazy and drunks. I lost so much of my family to alcohol and drugs, and im almost embarassed to even say it. But, dont critisize what you only saw on this TV show unless or until you have actually lived it.
HERE ARE SOME ADDRESSES TO HElP:
RED CLOUD INDIAN SCHOOL
PINE RIDGE, SOUTH DAKOTA
ST. JOSEPH’S INDIAN SCHOOL
CHAMBERLAIN,SD 57326
(605) 234-3300
http://WWW.STJO.ORG
AMERICAN INDIAN RELIEF COUNCIL
P O BOX 6200
RAPID CITY, SD 57709
1-800-370-0872
http://WWW.AIRC.ORG
The U.S. gov’t should stop sending billions to other countries that are trying to kill us and invest it in our tribal lands of this country. Maybe it would be a start in repairing the moral damage that was done to these Great people in the so called begining of our Nation. The gov’t can create thousands of jobs by building new schools, homes, and medical centers for the first Americans. The gov’t created this problem, so they should correct it and give these people back their dignity. Take away the red tape so they can open businesses and create jobs which would create wealth and a better living for their families. Use the stimulus money if there is any left. The children show the pride and ambitions of a Great Nation of people that will recover.
I live in South Dakota and frequently visit the Eagle Butte reservation and part of the Rosebud reservation in a ministry work designed to help people find real purpose in life and help to cope with their distressing problems. We see firsthand the suicide and alcohol and drug related deaths which tear families apart. Yet despite all they struggle with, they are a warm and friendly people, affectionate and caring…not just the children. We have come to love them very much and look forward to each visit with greater enthusiasm.
Many try to break free from addictions and have been through treatment often several times, but without spiritual guidance they find themselves caught in a vicious cycle. They are often chastised by others when they try to break free. This is their life. It’s all they know. Many start drinking at a very young age. Their life seems hopeless, so they self-medicate. However, we have seen the results of addressing the emotional and spiritual needs of the person to give them the strength to go on and rise above the deplorable conditions.
You can help the children all you want, but if you don’t help the parents and the grandparents who are raising many of their grandchildren on meager support, nothing will change. Helping a depressed society involves bringing them comfort and love. Love is what they need. And their Creator loves them very much. If you are interested in a free bible study program in either Eagle Butte or White River, feel free to contact me at karenlosh@rocketmail.com.
Why can’t shows like “Extreme Makeover, Home Edition” help? These people are living in such horrible housing conditions. If every student from every school just donated $1.00, Even from one school district we could do a lot of good for all in poverty! Lets love our neighbor as ourselves!!
Well stated my friend. I do feel there is a change of attitude starting to occur among the wealthy class toward the poor. I sure hope so anyway. Jesus said that we will always have the poor among us; but I don’t think he intended that to mean that we should not care for and try to help them as much as humanly possible. I am hoping that a large, free, healthy food, cafeteria type of institution will be built for this native tribe and in other depressed locations around the country. I am poor myself; but would contribute what little that I can toward something like that.
Brian:
Hau is the Lakota word for greeting as far as I have heard, but I understand your point. Folks do not just need blankets. They want jobs, opportunities, and maybe some respect. Fair enough. What action plan do you envision beyond just meeting short term needs?
Frank Kutka
I have heard for a long time that the government was not living up to their obligation to make sure individuals living in Public Housing and other federal programs. profit.
After the show, I cried like a baby. I will be sending money in a few weeks.
oh yes it does sorry it took so long to respond i cant waite at least 20 dollars a month i feel like im doing good in gods eyes to help our own country and the FIRST americans they are VERY BEATIFUL CHILDREN AND DONT BLAME THE KIDS FOR THE ACTIONS OF THE ADULTS it only takes one kind hearted person to change the life of one wish when i was younger i had just one person to show me a;; people in the world arent as stubborn
How can we help? We would love to be part of the movement to help the American Indian people.
I seen on this show where the question was asked why dont the people leave? I can answer this. My grand parents left the rosebud rez i go back alot and i live in kansas. when we do leave the rez we r looked down at made fun of and treated badly like we dont belong here. This is how i was treated just today at a court hearing and told our ways and sovreignty is not excepted and our peoples rights are not recognized off the rez and was told to go back to the rez as they laughed. i am lakota and my family is on pine ridge.
Nate…I sincerely apologize for the actions of my people in the way you were treated in court. I live in Kansas also and many times I am ashamed at the way Native Americans are treated.
All of your comments bear some truth, just some. In order to bring about change will take time and now is the time to get going. The entire Turtle Island and all 500+tribes are living this horror the worst genocide the world has known. At contact we were 10 million strong, by the 1800’s down to 250,000 and today approx.2 million. We’re making a comeback. To many of us do not know the truth behind the so-called Indian Problem. When outright Indian hunting was banned the government came up with the, Kill the Indian, Save the Man campaign. Around 1890 the first Boarding School was opened and the plan to take the children (my mom was taken at 5 years old) and teach the Indian right out of them began in earnest. They were starved, beaten, raped, tortured, subjected to germ warfare,medically experimented on (Hitler got the idea from here), sterilized and murdered! These were babies!! Yes we are addicted to alcohol/drugs we use these to try and ease the SOUL WOUNDS each of us are passed on from one generation to the next. It is called INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA/HISTORICAL TRAUMA, and get this, many of us have no idea why we hurt, are angry, kill eachother, abuse those we love, have epidemic suicide because we have been told to pull up your moccasins, aay, where’s your pride. The halocaust of the Jewish people happened, and it was acknowledged by the world and they’ve been allowed a healing. Not us – history books still teach that the Indians are savages, heathens and are low on the totem pole. Would you feel good about yourself? The boarding schools took our languages away, our spiritual ceremonies, our parents ability to know how to parent, our culture, traditions and left us with gaping soul wounds that we medicate with alcohol/drugs. Want to help us? Then help us to begin a great healing, help us heal our soul wounds, help us achieve WELLBRIETY. Sobriety and wellness in body, mind and spirit. we need Dr. Maria Brave Hearts program available on every reservation in this country.
EVERYONE CAN HELP OUT – EVEN WITH JUST ONE PACKAGE!
Here are a couple of links to check out what is needed and where to send:
http://FriendsofPineRidgeReservation.org Lists different “drives” and organizations and schools’ needs.
http://www.nativeprogress.org ( click on programs – Okini project)
Okini project lists specific families which have a great need – usually emergency situations: added children coming to relatives, houses burning down, etc. You can “adopt” a specific family to help on a continuiing basis. kari-ose@online.no is the direct email for finding families with specific needs.
I was fascinated when I saw this program last night. When I was in high school I participated in a volunteer trip to Pine Ridge. We worked at the Wounded Knee School, painting dilapidated hallways; we ran a day camp in a small village for the dozens of children living there. We were only there for 4 weeks, but I have to say, looking back all these years later, it was the single most meanful experience of my life. When I went as a 16 year old, I knew nothing about Native Americans, let alone the Lakota Sioux. I came away with such an appreciation and love for the culture. I appreciate 20/20 doing this documentary to show the rest of the world this forgotten society. If it gets even one person interested and invested to help, it will be worth it.
Thank you for this information. Sent an email. Just had a friend ask me where she could send some children’s books, clothes, etc. Good timing. My family will sponsor a family.
One thing most non native Americans do not understand is that the land is sacred to Native peoples. It does not matter what nation it a heart felt belief. Leaving the land even when it is poor and abused is not possible. We are connected to it. Also on a more practical not that if Native people have tribal land and leave for more then so many given days the government comes in and steals it back. So even if you want to move away for a bit to find work you would lose y our home. It is different tribe to tribe so I can’t give you an exact number of days. But it happens. So most would rather live in poverty then give up their homes. As to the 80 % addiction rates that is actually an improvement. Sadly at one point it was almost 100 %. Whiskey, Beer and drugs are white inventions. Native peoples don’t have them. Or at least not for recreational use.
Jobs are few and far between and frankly what’s the point? Because whenever native people start to excel or make money uncle sam or the states move in to take it. Example the casinos. We pay dearly to have them. While they help not one dime should ever go to the bastards in Washington or any state government because frankly its pissing it away.They use it to undermine our nations. Also maybe some of you should look at the resources harvested from native lands over the years, Gold, silver, tin, copper, wood, ect all were taken and never paid for. Hell if the tribes got 10 % royalties we could build schools and revitalize the reservations but the US would rather spend our funds on Pakistan, Iraq, Mexico, Hatti. Heaven forbid they help the people they are legally required to . My personal view is that the tribes should become nations once more and tell the feds and states to go jump. We can take care of our own. Maybe its not like the dominate culture wants but it can be done. I don’t see anyone taking Amish kids from their folks because they don’t have computers and electricity. Can we say double standards. We as nations had to embrace the so called civilized western life. However the Amish, and their ilk are cute so you revere them. Mostly they are a pain in the ass when you try to drive to work or are heading home because their buggy’s are black and when it rains or is dark they are a danger. But we let them be. So apply the same standards and let our people be. Let us raise our kids. ICWA was written for a reason.
I wrote to Oprah about this very thing – she never replied.
The people at Pine Ridge are not on a level playing field, folks – yep, they make choices but c’mon! With parents dying young and the old folks not understanding white culture, who teaches the kids? I’ve been to the Rez many times – no place to work, no banks, no used car dealerships to make mobility easier. Then they should leave the Rez, right? Again, c’mon, why leave your culture, family, and people? Native people in this country were beaten down, ripped off, and intentionally slaughtered in the name of Christianity. We **owe** them now.
I feel so hurt for those kids and what they are living . I’m native too from a small Rez in California and I am wondering about the tribal council and what they do for their people our council here works for the betterment of our tribe. I know there has to be a way to help but I think we all need more education on how things work on this Rez do they have a housing program. Do they have a social service program ? Where are the leaders of this tribe ? I need to be educated .