Sarah Hansen

May 4, 2008

Pine Ridge Testimonial

When I arrived at Pine Ridge Reservation, I had never given much thought to the history and culture of Indians in America. Sure, we learn about it in school every year, but do we really understand? The answer, in my case, was no.

One fundamental aspect of Lakota culture is a respect and reverence for the land, and the reality of this commitment truly sunk in over the course of my trip. The scope of the Great Plains is absolutely indescribable. One steps outside and feels tiny in comparison to nature. The phrase "big sky" has taken on an entirely new meaning. Our group took a hike in the Badlands at the beginning of the week, and spent 15 minutes sitting alone in the gorgeous rock formations. We listened to the earth, the sky, and the wind, and this experience helped me understand the Indian connection to the land and this commitment's implications.

As the week progressed, we had the opportunity to learn more about Indian history and culture from members of the Lakota community.  What really impressed me was these people's dedication and knowledge of their heritage and traditions. They know where they come from, despite the horrible conditions in which many of them live.

Here are some statistics about the reservation: Pine Ridge is home to 40,000 Oglala Lakota Indians. On Pine Ridge, unemployment is around 85% and the average income is approximately $4,000. The Reservation has 8x the national rate of diabetes, twice the rate of heart disease, and 4x the rate of teen suicide. The rate of tuberculosis is 800 times the United States National average.  About 40% of the population is under the age of 18.  On average, the life expectancy is 52 years for females and 48 years for males. The school dropout rate is 70%. Alcoholism affects 8 out of 10 families on the reservation. There is one hospital on the reservation, which is both underfunded and understaffed. It is reported that 60% of the homes on Pine Ridge are considered substandard, many of them infested with Black Mold. There have been cases of as many as 17 people living in one home, and it is estimated that 5,000 new homes would need to be constructed to remedy the housing crisis.

The plight of American Indians is essentially unheard of in our country. You hear about issues faced by many minorities, but no one ever talks about the Indians. The government spent years trying to eradicate them completely, but the people and their culture have survived. Currently, however, they are living in a state of crisis.

The question now is: What can be done? Over the course of the week, our group painted houses, picked up trash, built and distributed bunk beds to families in need, and donated children's books to schools and Head-Start programs. Although we came away with a sense of accomplishment, so much more remains to be done.

However, typical solutions are not necessarily welcome. For example, Habitat for Humanity, an extremely successful organization, has totally failed on Pine Ridge. The people simply cannot afford the cost of the houses in the Habitat program and taking care of a home is not something that is a part of their culture. They do not want handouts, and years of betrayal at the hands of the United States government has made them wary of cultures other than their own. The Lakota are proud of their heritage and of their origins and traditions, and want nothing more than a measure of freedom in their own country.

I found the week I spent on Pine Ridge to be extremely rewarding and am proud to have been part of the contribution made by our church. It was definitely eye-opening, and I have come to appreciate how complex the situation there really is. I came away with the feeling that we as Americans owe the Lakota people so much, and this trip was an opportunity to give back just a little. We have a responsibility to these people like we have a responsibility to our family. This brings to mind a traditional Lakota saying that reads Mi taku oyasin: We are all related.