Poverty in America

Poverty Conditions on Native American Reservations

I have written twice to the White House about this issue, and I have yet to hear a reply, although I am sure they are being inundated with mailings.

Most Americans, when Native Americans are mentioned believe they are all wealthy because of gaming, this is tragically not the truth.  I am not so sure that astute Europeans are not more aware of these deplorable reservation conditions then US citizens.

Our white forefathers forced Native peoples onto the poorest lands and instructed them to be "farmers."  There is nothing to reap on these lands.

The present conditions (and past) are statistics (the highest in the country) of unemployment, alcoholism, illnesses, non-education, teenage suicide, and domestic abuse.  When there is no hope, what is an individuals future? 

Some of the most deplorable conditions you can see for yourself by renting a copy of "Skins," a feature length film in very limited distribution within the US. The other is a video entitled "Standing Silent Nation," a brave attempt by the Lakota to grow industrial hemp and provide a livelihood for their reservation. By the way, we are the only industrial country in the world that does not grow industrial hemp.  Why?

Please write your Congressman, Senator, and the President.

Sincerely,

Nancy O'Neal 

Tribal member of the Chickasaw Nation

 

 

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Petition Text

Poverty on Native American Reservations

Dear President, Senator, Representative

Dear Sirs/Madams:

Please address the deplorable conditions that exist right here, right now on certain Native American reservations.
It is time to right the wrongs of our white forefathers who forced these peoples onto the poorest lands and instructed them to be "farmers." In the past there was nothing to reap on these lands as it is today.
Native American are proud people they are not looking for a hand out, they are in some cases in desperate need for "real" jobs.
Please address this very urgent need, for education, health reform, and joint cooperation to find meaningful employment.

[Your name]

  • Karen Sheaffer Karen Sheaffer   Vandergrift, PA
    Sent letter to Jack Murtha , Barack Obama , Arlen Specter , Bob Casey , John Thune , Tim Johnson and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
    Jan 18
  • sara gaspar sara gaspar   lisbon, Portugal
    Sent letter to Barack Obama , John Thune , Tim Johnson and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
    Jan 18
  • Kevin Silvey Kevin Silvey   Seminole, FL
    Sent letter to Bill Young , Bill Nelson , Barack Obama , John Thune , Tim Johnson , Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and George LeMieux
    Jan 18
  • Sandra Hutchison Sandra Hutchison   Lewistown, MT
    Sent letter to Denny Rehberg , Barack Obama , Max Baucus , Jon Tester , John Thune , Tim Johnson and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
    Jan 17
  • Kim Carter Kim Carter   Van Wert, OH
    Sent letter to Barack Obama , Sherrod Brown , John Thune , Tim Johnson , Stephanie Herseth Sandlin , Bob Latta and George Voinovich
    Jan 15
  • Shannon O'Hare Shannon O'Hare   Atlanta, GA
    Sent letter to David Scott , Johnny Isakson , Saxby Chambliss , Barack Obama , John Thune , John Lewis , Tim Johnson and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
    Jan 15
  • joan  yielding joan yielding   st louis, MO
    Sent letter to Lacy Clay , Barack Obama , Kit Bond , Claire McCaskill , John Thune , Tim Johnson and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
    Jan 15
  • Soodle Billy Soodle Billy   Co.Dublin, Ireland
    Sent letter to Dan Inouye , Danny Akaka , Barack Obama , John Thune , Tim Johnson and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
    Jan 15
  • Beth S Beth S   midwest, MI
    Sent letter to Fred Upton , Barack Obama , Carl Levin , Debbie Stabenow , John Thune , Tim Johnson and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
    Jan 14
  • Christina Jones Christina Jones   Wichita, KS
    Sent letter to Todd Tiahrt , Barack Obama , Sam Brownback , Pat Roberts , John Thune , Tim Johnson and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
    Jan 14

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213 Signatures
Goal: 500
43%

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