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Dec 8, 2003 This time of year we hear a lot about the homeless, the unemployed, and the just plain poor. How their children may not get the presents they want, may not have the Christmas dinner they expect. Let me tell you about a community of people who have never been employed because there are no jobs in their community. There is no industry’s in their community. Their community is so poor Wal Mart won’t even build a store, their closest store is 65 miles away in Nebraska. This in an area where transportation is a shared commodity Not only will their children not get what they want for Christmas they may not get anything at all. Christmas dinner will consist of dry Bologna Sandwiches and possibly a Mountain Dew. They live on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, Some will want to correct my definition to the P.C. Pine Ridge Native American’s BLM Housing Haven, The residents really don’t care what you call them because as long as people are only willing to discuss their plight and not insist something be done to improve it, there isn’t much point in what they are called or to useless discussions accomplishing nothing. Twice in the twentieth century the United States Government has lain siege to Pine Ridge Inhabitants during the Holiday Season. That is about as close to a fête as the Government has ever provided. The Government took the land, took the gold, gutted the culture and gave little in return and yet expects acquiescent behavior. Illegal immigrants get more attention and perks than the American Indian. Tourists dollars don’t come to Pine Ridge. Tourists get their Indian fix at Crazy Horse Monument a few miles away. An interesting side-note in this story, their Senator is none other than Tom ( I am deeply disturbed, I am very concerned) Daschle (D), the champion of the poor and down-trodden. The man who insists the Bush Admistration isn’t doing enough for the poor. I am convinced the plight of the residence of Pine Ridge is in retaliation for what the Sioux did to Custer at the Little Big Horn. The poverty on this reservation is only equaled by that of the Navajo / Hopi Reservations in Arizona. No other group of people in America is as poor as some of the American Indian Tribes in our Mountain and Western States. Our Government has violated every treaty they ever made with our Indian brothers. The Government created a welfare system just short of starvation and expects them to live and be appreciative of it. Since the Dutch Pilgrims paid $ 24.00 for the Island of Manhattan, New York Indians have been getting the short end of the economic shaft. It’s an un-written policy of the Government to keep the Indian poor, ignorant and dependent so they won’t rise up and demand what is rightfully theirs. Like the Emancipation Proclamation, when this policy became the law (official or not) of the land it has never been changed or improved upon. There are a few who make an effort to relieve some of the poverty conditions at Pine Ridge and bring some limited joy to the children of the tribe. ANDY LAWRENCE flight-of-the-eagle@earthlink.net is one of those people who for years have worked with many tribes in the Western States. I had the privilege of visiting Andy two years ago in her Colorado home. As I drove up an Indian boy about eleven come running out to open the gate for me and to keep the horses from getting out. Andy explained his Mother was in the hospital, he had no place to go. He would be staying with her for a while. Both parents are alcoholics as are many on the reservation. This story isn’t meant to bring tears to your eyes, It’s meant to point out there isn’t much productive the Government does for these people. This isn’t a request for contributions to FLIGHT-OF-THE-EAGLE FOUNDATION, it is only to point out there are some in our Country not as well off as those who would complain the loudest. The poor, homeless and minorities have it a lot better than our Indian Brothers and Sisters, I hear no cry’s or prayers for them. Before anyone decides to offer any help please contact ANDY LAWRENCE at the FLIGHT-OF-THE-EAGLE FOUNDATION or at laperms@earthlink.net , I have no idea what they can use or how they can be helped, I personally am giving money and lending moral support. ------------ About the Author: Ken Hughes is a retired businessman. A political junkie who's passion is the re-education of Liberals and Term Limits for Congress. He has had very little sucess at either. Email Ken Hughes: uncleken@wwnet.net Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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