Yesterday I visited Lakota College on the Rez. (Reservation). The group and I were given an audio history of the Lakota Indians, accompanied by photographs on the wall of the cultural center. While listening to the history, feelings began to stir inside of me. I found myself ashamed of my government, angry, hurt, and a myriad of other emotions just swirling around. Hearing history from the eyes of those who participated in the history is the best way, not from outsider. Most of us have heard the idea of, “History is written by the victors”. Let me also add to that, it is written by the oppressors who continue to oppress, the ignorant, the hurtful and the powerful.
The Lakota’s are part of the the Sioux, which is comprised of; Lakota, Santee, Yankton, and Yanktonai. For more information on the Lakota, please go see their web site at: http://www.republicoflakotah.com
The U.S. government has systematically taken advantage of all the Native Americans.
Suicide runs rampant among the Lakota
They have abused, attempted genocide (see the link for more info), cheated, stole from and in so many numerous ways hurt and continue to hurt the Indian Nations. Here is a link to a video about the genocide of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The government of the Unites States in 2009 buried in a spending bill, a half-hearted, week and meaningless apology to the Native Americans. See Wall Street Journal, NPR and Native American Times.
While talking to some of the Indians on the Pine Ridge Reservation there has been a feeling that the government, through the BIA Bureau of Indian Affairs has and continues to be ineffective and inept with regards to anything it does to, with and for the Indians. Here is some background information, NOT from the government about the BIA.
When I was writing this post, I became as agitated as I was when I listened to the history yesterday. However, through some mishap while writing I lost my work. I am thankful for that now, since it has allowed me write this with less of the emotions as previously.
I encourage all of you to look for history of the American Indians, written by American Indians. Get another perspective other than what has been pushed down by the U.S. Government. Also, look for books written by American Indians to get glimpses of what past and present Indian life looks like.
Here are a few books I recently read.
Waterlily
Neither Wolf nor Dog
The Wolf at Twilight
They called me Uncivilized
The Lakota Way
I will try to post something more later tonight.
Just playing devils advocate here. We interpret things our own way to understand things. Im not saying we didn’t miss treat them, but we can also twist things for more attention or sympathy.
So how do we fix it so that everyone is created equal?
With the results of the attempted genocide, it has left the Lakota’s without their identity. They have the lowest longevity in the world! I am not sure what all the solutions are, but the living conditions are terrible in many areas here. So many families living in a single trailer. No running water, outhouses still have to be used, heating in a trailer with kerosene because there is no electricity. The government did away with the buffer zone around the Rez, allowing just two miles from the Rez, the sale of alcohol to Indians that take it back to the alcohol free Rez. Alcoholism is a major problem yet there is no help.
Seeing an injustice always stirs that “angry, hurt myriad” in me as well. I find myself dwelling on it, trying to figure out how to fix it… only to end up frustrated and mildly depressed. God can fix it, and will. The question is who will he call to do it, and will the person(s) respond.
God has you there for a reason, I am supportive of our views and proud of ya! Pax Gus