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outtolunch 10-15-2011 10:07 AM

Arrogance of Ignorance
 
I watched a Diane Sawyer special last night about the Oglala Lakota Sioux Indian Reservation, population estimated at 40,000, in South Dakota. Just 130 years from being a self sufficient people, 80% of the population is now addicted to alcohol/drugs.

Alcohol is not sold on the reservation, which is the size of Ct. There are 4 liquer stores in the closest non reservation town and they sell 4 million cans of beer a year mostly to the Lakota.

One has to wonder how the hell-o this could happen in 130 years.

Although not the point of this documentary, it did touch on the diet within this reservation. The diet of this tribe is heavy on carbs and white flour based, the opposite of historical diets.

It made me wonder if as our collective diets have evolved, we have become more genetically susceptible to alcohol and addiction, no different than other serious health issues.

I am embarassed by my own ignorance of the conditions within some Native American Reservations. Sure do hope that one day there is gold in them hills and oil in their fields and Native Americans have the last laugh.

Aegian 10-15-2011 10:23 AM

Studies have been done on various peoples and rates of alcohol/drug consumption (and addiction). Because Native Americans were some of the last folks on the planet to be introduced to booze, they are one of the highest in problem % with alcohol and drug addiction issues. If I recall, Jewish and Greek populations are some of the oldest drinking nationalities/races (whatever you term it) and therefore have the lowest % of abuse within the population.

You can google this research. It is a fascinating set of studies.

Ann 10-15-2011 11:34 AM

The problem exists in Canada too. Addiction and youth suicide, which often go together, are far too common. I know that there are Native American addiction rehabs here now that use native teachings and customs and their own version of 12-step to help anyone who wants it. There is no cost here for this, and there are many volunteers in those communities who will drive those seeking help to the rehabs and pick them up again when they are finished. I know a couple of fellows who found sobriety and kept it (it's about 4 years now) after going there.

That said, first the addict has to reach out. We can't wish them sober or love them sober, it would be good if we could.

I am glad they are running documentaries like that, I am glad that the statistics are being published and that other populations have been encouraged to help. Awareness of the problem is the first step into finding a solution.

Hugs

laurie6781 10-15-2011 11:45 AM

OTL those are some of my relatives. I watched it, and not enough was covered to my satisfaction, especially that about 90% of them are also Diabetic.

How did it happen?

Crooked Indian Agents of the Fed Government that gave them rotten food and sold the good food supplied by the Government.

White folks that got great enjoyment out of getting the "Indian" drunk.

Those that were sent to school after being put on the reservation, were taken away from their parents. put in 'white' boarding schools, punished if they spoke their language, had to get their hair cut like a white man's.

And it is NOT just the Lakota. Take a look at Gallup NM. Outside of town is one of the BIG Navajo reservations, again terrible alcoholism. Chippewa in Wisconsin, Nez Perez in the Northwest. Shoshone in Nevada. Cherokee in Oklahoma. Apache here in NM. Zuni and Hopi also in NM. And on and on and on.

Sure some tribes have built casinos. But there again, they 'need' a 'white sponsor' with political pull to get the laws changed or new ones made. The reservations and pueblos that do have Casinos are doing a lot for the tribe. Getting the young ones educated, putting in sewage treatment plants, building homes for those on the reservation that actually have running water, electric and heat. But the tribes with no casinos or who are fighting to get them and being turned down time after time, continue to be the SHAME of this country.

Of those that get away from the reservation, and do somehow manage to get an education and become a productive member of society, many are fearful to go back and get 'sucked back in.'

My Native American Heritage was the DEEP DARK FAMILY SECRET, no one talked about it. However, my grandmother (full blooded Lakota, raised white, did to the grandchildren). Yes I am 1/4. My sister worked very hard at finding out the truth once she believed me as to what gramma had said and what she had named me. She was able to trace us back. Now both of Gramma children are in the books of the Sioux nation as 1/2 Lakota and all 5 of her grandchildren as 1/4 Lakota.

Since I have lived in the Southwest (over 20 years now) and really started finding my HP by sitting at the knees of Elders and 'learning', most of my sponsees are now Native Americans.

I have several T-Shirts that I wear that have the pictures of the Founding Fathers of this country on them, and trust me, they are not the pictures on Mt. Rushmore.

They only gave Diane Sawyer a 'Nano Second' to tell a story that needs 20 8 hour days of television to even get through the political and much and mire and all that was done to the Native Americans.

To be honest, I was very riled by the show, as to me it was really just more FLUFF.

What I have done and do to help my relatives is between me and HP, but I continue to do whatever I can.

When my two partners and I had the 150 ewes that we used to raise 'meat lambs' we would use the Navajo 'shearers' to shear our sheep. We paid them a fair wage and we gave them all the wool. You would not believe some of the beautiful things they make out of wool. I was given as a gift two Xmas ago a REAL Navajo Blanket, made in the 'old ways', not one of the 'commercial ones for sale'. It is beautiful!!!!!!! And very very treasured.

I will shut up now, and get off my soap box, lol I can really get on a rant when it comes to the Native Americans and what was and still is being done to them.

Oh and btw, my great great grandfather, survived Little Big Horn, and my great grandfather was at Wounded Knee, and later died from his wounds, leaving my Great Grandmother a widow with a 1 year old (my grandmother).


Thank you OTL for starting this thread.

Love and hugs,

ps: my grandmother gave me my Lakota name when I was about 3 1/2 or 4 years old. I did not find out the meaning of that name until about 15 years ago. Depending on dialect it means "She Who Walks With Wolves" or "She Who Lives With Wolves." I have been a volunteer of wolf dog rescue for over 25 years and have always had an affinity for wolves. Now how in the heck did she know that? And yes my Totem is The Wolf.

outtolunch 10-15-2011 01:14 PM

Thank you Laurie. I am embarassed to say I know more about the Native Hawaiian culture than I do the Native American culture on the mainland.

I am embarassed by our educational system that teaches us so little about what came before. No excuse for me. I can read and educate myself.

laurie6781 10-15-2011 03:01 PM

I hear you OTL. The 'good' white man in the disguise of 'Clergyman' also raped the Native Hawaiians.

C&H sugar was started by a Missionary Preacher. The same for Dole pineapple. And oh yes, it was the 'white man' that brought the 'diseases' to the Hawaiians, diseases like syphilis, measles, mumps, chicken pox etc that literally killed so many.


I am embarassed by our educational system that teaches us so little about what came before.
Oh good grief! If our educational system taught the 'truth' about our American History, ........................ that is not politically correct and some of those students might actually decide they wanted to get into politics to change the 'status quo.'

Again, I am grateful you started this thread. It shows how much damage addiction can really do, in how many people including and other than the addicted one it affects.

Love and hugs,


ps: I was looking at the family tree after posting above, and Sitting Bull was the first cousin of my great great grandfather. I guess that makes Sitting Bull my great great uncle, roflmao. Their mothers were sisters. And yes, Sitting Bull is one of the pictures on my 'Founding Fathers' T-shirt, roflmao

LifeRecovery 10-15-2011 03:34 PM

I live not far from Gallup, NM also in a border town of the Navajo reservation and had no idea prior to moving here the challenges facing the Navajo population when it comes to drugs, drinking, general health care etc. I am sad I did not watch the video last night just because it sounds like it resonates with my experience living and working here in the health care industry (and for a short time at a drug and alcohol treatment center).

The reservation is dry, and it is very large. On a positive note though I see recovery every day, and often those of Navajo background who find recovery also are able to find a deeper connection with their culture that is very beautiful. I have learned a lot not just about addiction, but about the Navajo culture by attending open AA meetings and our Al-anon meetings. For that I am truly grateful.

Ann 10-15-2011 04:38 PM

Laurie, I am very interested in your story, and my heart and prayers go out to those who struggle today. We cannot change the past, but perhaps by getting the information "out there" we can help in some small way to ensure that the future gets better for them.

Thank you so much for sharing your story, I hope you are very proud of your heritage and who you are. I know that I am very proud of you.

Hugs

Chino 10-16-2011 08:56 PM

Laurie, Aho! Mitakuye Oyasin! I am Native from both sides, mom and dad. All my grandfathers were Chiefs, I am a lineal descendant! I also come from priests and medicine men/women.

I just returned from a funeral. We talked about the show and all said the same thing, it was fluff and we were contemptuous. We're sick of talk from the media and government committees. They wanted to exterminate us back then and nothing has really changed.

I am involved in two class action lawsuits against the feds right now; they continue to steal to this day and it's blatant damnit. I've not ever mentioned here what I deal with every single day, the fight that has to be fought. Only death will steal the fight from me. To refuse the fight would be dishonor.

NotSoSmart 10-16-2011 09:29 PM

I missed the show but saw the piece on the evening news (teaser i guess)? Sawyer was interviewing all those adorable children about what they wanted to be when they grew up... it made me sad to hear that most of them will not graduate and 8/10 become alcoholic.

I have Cherokee background; my paternal grandfather was raised on the reservation. I wonder if that explains the high rate of alcoholism on my dad's side. I thought it was the Irish blood.

Chino 10-16-2011 09:47 PM


Originally Posted by outtolunch (Post 3137816)
Sure do hope that one day there is gold in them hills and oil in their fields and Native Americans have the last laugh.

There is, and the BIA, Treasury Dept tell us how and what we're allowed to do with it. They hold our money, too, and we don't have a choice. We/I am governed by a different set of laws than all other citizens and I don't even live on the rez, never have.


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