New book explores Indian country's struggle

Book review by: David Melmer

PINE RIDGE, S.D. - On the Pine Ridge Reservation, where the last massacre took place in December 1890 at Wounded Knee, people still have vivid memories of their grandparents' account of that horrible day.

Many from across the country look at Pine Ridge and wonder why it appears so dysfunctional politically, yet it's filled with spirituality. Pine Ridge is still under colonial rule, as are many reservations.

A recently released book, ''Ruling Pine Ridge: Oglala Lakota Politics from the IRA to Wounded Knee'' by Akim D. Reinhardt, takes an academic, well-researched look at the reasons colonialism still prevails on some reservations, especially Pine Ridge. Reinhardt puts into understandable detail the political events beginning with the implementation of the Indian Regulatory Act of 1934 and ending with Wounded Knee II.

Reinhardt blames Wounded Knee II on an autocratic lead government under the direction of tribal President Richard Wilson, but explains that it was actually the policies of the federal government and the attempt to create self-governance for tribes while the federal government refused to release control.

This book explains why Indian country may seem to be an enigma to some outsiders. It further explains why governments, especially that of Pine Ridge, are confusing and, in some respects, more of a hindrance than a help to the people.

When the Indian Reorganization Act - or, by another name, the ''Indian New Deal'' - took effect, the intent was to end the federal government policy of assimilation. Reinhardt said, ''Its [assimilation's] goal was cultural genocide.''

More: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415345