Harsh realities of reservation life

While many people are sympathetic to the needs and misfortunes of others, it is often hard to comprehend the extent of the difficulties some people on Indian reservations can face. For most people who live in the dominant culture, almost everyone has the potential to find a job and the money or the resources needed to clothe their children, feed their elders, and repair their homes. It is often almost beyond our ability to comprehend that these are privileges which can be so hard to come by for many people who live on remote Indian reservations. With unemployment on the reservations reaching as high as 85%, with 45% of the children living below the poverty level and with a life expectancy of only 45 years for Native people living on reservations, its clear to see that America is not always a place of liberty and justice for all.

While there are programs such as Habitat for Humanity and others, they can only build or repair a few homes a year while the needs far outweigh available housing. And it’s important to realize how limited the resources are on some of the reservations. Tools and lumber all cost money and the economy on most of the reservations is limited to small shops and the sales of crafts. Business owners face political hardships and are often shunned by investors. And while some reservations do better than others with their casinos, but its important to realize that very little of that money ever reaches the people who are most in need. We are used to seeing the faces of poverty overseas but in fact, there are many faces right here at home that can use your help.

America waged war against the Indians for hundreds of years and in some ways that war continues. In South Dakota, where businesses are encouraged to invest in the bigger cities and tourism is kept to the areas where the dominant population can profit, it is time for all of us to take a stand and come to the aid of our Native brothers and sisters and alleviate some of the suffering inflicted by an unyeilding political situation.

Read more here: http://www.wole.org/