I’m still in answer mode, so y’all should strike while the iron is hot!
Heather’s first question:
I have read your mentions about the reservation. I have looked up Hope, SD.
Do you actually live ON the Indian Reservation or is it just close by like I saw on the map?
Are the Indian Reservations really as bad off as they are portrayed in the movies?
This is a multi-faceted question Heather, so I’ll do my best to answer it from my perspective.
Yes, I live on an Indian Reservation. My future husband known as Zach, My Cowboy, or Mr. Hotness, is a 3rd generation rancher and is a Lakota Sioux Indian. From my perspective, living on a reservation could be compared to life in a 3rd World Country- though I’m fortunate enough to live in a nice house and not struggle on the meager to non-existent income of some. There are many people on the reservation however, that aren’t as fortunate as us. Our particular reservation, The Cheyenne River Sioux, is located in two of the poorest counties in the United States. Dewey and Ziebach counties make up the reservation and are comprised of about 2.8 million acres (though roughly half of that land is owned by non-Indians- yet more post fodder!). It is roughly the size of Connecticut (some say Rhode Island and Delaware combined). Unemployment hovers between 75-85% in those counties. Ziebach county has the highest child poverty rate in the United States.
According to the 2000 Census, Ziebach County’s per capita income was $7,463 and the median income for a family was $18,672; 49.9% live below the poverty line.
Dewey County (where we reside) doesn’t fare much better- the per capita income was $9,251 and the median income for a family was $24,971; 33.6% live below the poverty line.
I’m sure that compared to a lot of people on the reservation we seem wealthy and I can tell you, from seeing first hand, that there is plenty of the crab in the bucket syndrome to go around.
There is a total population of about 14,000 +/- on the reservation and not all of them are Indians. I am not, of course. Probably something like 3000-3500 non-Indians live on the reservation- which brings up another subject- the US Government treats the Indians like lesser individuals. Just calling it like I see it. Indians are not allowed to own land in their name- it must be held “in trust” for them, through the US government, because clearly they’re not responsible enough to do the right thing with it.*insert sarcasm here*
I must add, that from my perspective, conditions are worse here for many residents than they would be if they lived in an inner city- because at least in the inner city you are part of a stronger city/state infrastructure, and you’re closer to the general populace. We are so remote (mind you, I LOVE that part of my life), that people forget we’re there. The fact that it’s been three weeks since one of the worst storms the state has ever seen left the reservation without water (due to lack of infrastructure and funding), and some places are still without electricity,(there’s even a school that’s closed) and you don’t see this getting any national attention, should be evidence enough of this bias. Short of the article above and Keith Olberman who has called out the Senate Indian Affairs Committee on their apathy toward the situation (video) if you don’t read this blog regularly would you have any idea life has been bad for these people? You wouldn’t know we have a crisis on our own soil because the media ignores it. Keith’s mention and linking to his website has helped to raise $250,000 for the tribe, as their $175,000 emergency fund has been completely depleted.
Speaking of water infrastructure, until the 40+ year old water system is upgraded, development in the communities on the reservation is at a standstill because the water system cannot hold any more residences. And clearly, there has been poor planning in the current water system. According to Indian Housing (via Census Data) 14.7% of reservation residents live in over-crowded conditions compared to 5.7% of the rest of the US.
I have plenty more to say on this subject, and it’s such a great subject, that I will be writing more about it! Thanks, Heather! I would love to see if I could cajole Zach or his dad to write more on the specific history of our reservation. His dad is a living history book!
Heather’s second question was: Do you have any other interests other than horses and jewlery?
It might be shorter to write a list of things that don’t interest me! I love art- and enjoy drawing and painting. I also sing, play the piano and the guitar. I love to read and you’ll find me, more often than not, (or when I’m not on a Twitter addiction) with a book in my hand. I’m a television junkie. I actually enjoy running and biking and hiking and snow skiing; any outdoor activity. I love decorating and interior design.
Keep the questions coming folks! This is fun!
God this makes me mad. When you were describing a couple weeks ago how the storm had affected the reservation, I thought, Why Aren’t We Seeing This On The News?? I’ve read a lot about how bad things are on reservations, yet still the statistics you posted are shocking and shameful.
These people represent our country’s history, and as horribly as they’ve been treated, they have such a proud and rich culture.
I love that you’re getting this info out there!
Someone has to report the troubles and the weather for us to see the report.
It goes much further than the media ignoring selective news. That is actually at the core of all media outlets. They are controlled and their news stories MUST suit an American agenda that only the government truly knows about in detail. It is EXACTLY the same as it was when the white man killed his first Indian long ago to steal land. The agenda has never changed a fraction. In other words, don’t watch the news. Spend more time getting the REAL news ot there for all to see. We must educate all people to know just how unfriendly the media entities are and that they conspire against us all. Our government really sucks. And they hate us all. We must hate them back and anhiliate them from the planet.
Thanks. It is so much worse than I thought. I can’t get over the fact that they can’t own land! That is just crazy in todays world. The goverment should be ashamed that they are still being treated as non-citizens, with the same rights as anyone else. Ridiculous!!
Indian history has always fasinated me, but getting to know more about the exsisting Indians has always alluded (spelling?) me.
I still can’t figure why none of this made it to the news. I guess the media thinks we need to hear about movie stars more than we do the truth about our goverment.
Me and my questions! Now I’m all riled up!
Thanks again and can’t wait to hear more.
Heather- Indians can own land- but it’s held in a trust for them with the US Government, unlike if you and I were to own land. I like your questions, and a great place to learn the truth about Indian History is to ask the people that know! Please feel free to ask away- and if you like to read you will enjoy “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee”. It will absolutely make your blood boil as to how the Indians were treated and how many soldiers lied their asses off to screw them 19 ways to Sunday. What’s done is done now, but I would really love to see these people regarded with more respect than they currently receive.
OMG don’t even get me started on Wounded Knee! Why Jackson made it on to a 20 dollar bill is beyond me. That man should have been treated as he treated the indians!
I’ll shut up now!
Here in Zena, there is also a large Indian population and the poverty almost makes one ill.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $12,500, and the median income for a family was $13,750. The per capita income for the CDP was $7,656. All of this speaks volumes. Zena is tiny, 123 (actually 125 now) and we are the biggest industry even before we’ve really begun.
I would like to say that Jay, the Delaware County seat about 12 miles south of here is much better off. It is, but we’re only talking a couple of thousand dollars a year.
The median income for a household in the city of Grove, about 10 miles northeast of here on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees was $28,464, and the median income for a family was $38,347. The per capita income for the city was $18,351. And that’s not counting summer homes and yacht clubs scattered along the lake.
The “Trail of Tears” ended near here. If anyone is interested is hearing even more about how nasty the United States has been to Indians, look that up too.
I hope to eventually build up the alpaca business so I will have several employees and if all works well to process fleece here as well.
Do all the remote reservations have cattle? The reason I am asking, is that there are bison in Wyoming (Yellowstone), which may be slaughtered soon. I guess the bison population is roaming into ranch land and it has become a threat. The bison have a disease, which could effect cattle. Although, the bison seem to be fine. I’m guessing the disease is not good for cattle that will be eaten or milked. Does it make sense to have them transferred to remote Indian land as an attraction for tourism? People love wildlife and it could bring in needed tourism dollars. I could see stores, restaurants, gas stations and small hotels eventually built around this attraction. What do you think?
Most of the reservations out west are used for ranching primarily; farming is done in some places, but here, where we are, the land isn’t suited to grow much besides some of the country’s best grass- which in turn grows some really nice cattle. I don’t know if every tribe has buffalo, but our tribe has a herd that they manage.
Here is something on the affected Bison:
http://www.onearth.org/blog/relaxed-disease-rules-mean-bison-should-roam-–-but-when
hi im blackfeet native and i enjoy everyday life on the reservtion, i fish ,hunt,and raise and race racehorses for indian relays most exiting thing in the summer time , god bless all in native american country blackfeet pride.