While I commend Diane Sawyer and ABC news for attempting to highlight the plight of those living on the Pine Ridge Reservation, I found the Reasons explaining "why" conditions are so deplorable to be glaringly absent. It is impossible to do this topic true justice in just under an hour. Yes, the education system on the reservation is woefully inadequate and the school is dilapidated. However, what wasn't discussed is the fact that the federal government is entirely responsible for the education system on the Reservations. The fact that the government would allow children to attend a school that is filled with asbestos is abhorrent if not criminal. On many Reservations, tribal communities are residing in old abandoned, and federally donated military housing that is filled with asbestos. Yes, alcoholism is a pervasive problem for many Natives living on and off of the reservation, yet I am certain that if more investigation were done, it would be discovered that non-Natives likely own the four liquor stores being operated in the adjacent city. In addition, there was little conversation as to why so many are addicted to alcohol and drugs and why suicide has become the only option, even for the young 11 year old girl. As for the private school that so many are trying to receive scholarships to attend, it is run by the Catholic church. Given the history that the Catholic church has with Native people, the questions should be "Why do these children need to get a scholarship to attend this school at all? Shouldn't it be free for anyone who wants to attend?"
What needs to be brought to light is the fact that tribes in this country, as with Indigenous from all over the world, have been victims of Genocide through historical trauma and oppression. Many non-Native people resist this term as does the federal government, yet it is overwhelmingly obvious. Native children weren't just taken from their homes and placed in boarding schools, stripped of their culture and denied their family and tribal relationships; they were severely abused sexually and physically and then FORGOTTEN. Those that survived (as many died), returned home with what could only have amounted to severe PTSD. Further compounding that was their inability to address these issues through their own cultural practices. Generations upon generations have had the unfortunate luck of having to attend one of these schools, most of which were operated by the Catholic church or other Christian ministries. If you are in doubt, read about the recent excavation of a boarding school that closed in 1970 that targeted the Mohawk children or the one in Arizona that closed in the late 1980's in which one of the teachers had molested over 100 Native boys. Boarding schools are still operating today.
Then there is the issue of removing Native children from their families and tribal communities to be place in white adoptive homes. One researcher estimates that nearly a third of all Native children had been removed and place in white homes or institutionalized by the 1960's. And in the late 1970's Native women, along with Puerto Rican women were subjected to forced sterilization. This came to light when young women were presenting and asking for their "uterus transplants". Some estimates have been that over 3,500 women of child-bearing age were sterilized by Indian Health Services (which the federal government runs). Many suggest their number to be much higher. In fact, some say that there are practicing physicians that are still encouraging young Native women to have their tubes tied or to get hysterectomies.
The problem with the term "historical trauma" is that it denotes a time in history (such as the Nazi Holocaust). It allows one to believe that these events occurred a very long time ago and that the Indians just need to get over it and move on. However, this is not the truth of the matter. I have the privilege of working with tribes all over the country who are addressing the issue of violence against their women. The issues and experiences of oppression and trauma are alive and well, yet the government funds so few services and provides even fewer resources. Yes, some tribes do have the economic resources to fund their schools, social service programs, health care, etc. But, very few have this ability.
I am often in discussions with people who are so quick to point out the tribal casinos. And these same people are outraged that the members of these tribes live in nice homes and drive nice cars. However, I have never heard anyone complain about the houses that Donald Trump owns or Bill Gates. Are Native people not entitled to live in nice homes and drive nice cars? What is often overlooked is the fact that many of the casinos or tourist interests like the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon is primarily owned by the developers. Many of the tribes are not receiving all of the profits from these adventures for many years and in some cases 25 or more years. Those that do receive profits often do great things for their communities and for the surrounding communities (such as purchasing fire engines or rescuing bankrupt cities who were building a minor league baseball park). That's not to say that there aren't issues or concerns within the tribal governmental structure, but isn't that same everywhere?
There is so much more that can be said and so many that could say it better than I can. What I wanted to point out is that there are many, many reasons why the conditions are as they are and while there is personal accountability that cannot be overlooked or underestimated; the discussion really REQUIRES accurate context. Native people in this country are owed more than just a one hour show on one Reservation. They are owed an enormous amount of respect for their resiliency in surviving the Genocide and trying to thrive in the most inhumane and unacceptable conditions; the right to true Sovereignty so that they can truly care for their communities; for their history to be portrayed accurately in the history books so that generations to come will better understand and perhaps make the reparations that generations before have failed to make; and finally an APOLOGY from the United States Government for acts of genocide.
Okay, so maybe the last item will never happen. But perhaps if people understand the "whole and true" history and current situation, they might put aside their stereotypes and prejudices and find a way to offer their assistance with a true and open heart.
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