The Rosebud Reservation has been in the news because of the death of a resident from a pack of dogs, and recently the Rosebud Tribal Council ousted the chair with a resolution saying he can’t run for public office again.

Also, the very high rate of youth suicide attempts has been reported and the usual stories about poverty, unemployment, and alcohol problems are in abundance.

Day four of the Viewpoint University Journey was in Mission, South Dakota, one of the major towns on the Rosebud Reservation.

First contact was Jack Moore, minister at Christian Life Fellowship Church, at the intersection of Highways 18 and 83. Jack is the brother of White Eagle, the famous Native American Opera singer who died from AIDS many years ago.

The church is also the home to White Eagle Christian Academy, a fully accredited South Dakota school.

Second contact was Ann-erika Whitebird, a Native American journalist, accomplished artist, and professor at Sinte Glenska University in Mission. She is working to inform tribal citizens about such basic things as which council members show up for council meetings and tribal council member expenses.

Her reporting has caused quite a stir, and she had made some enemies as a result of her efforts to inform the public. She perseveres.

More council members show up and meetings are starting on time. Progress is being made.

Next is former Tribal Police officer and current Tribal Council member "Hawkeye" Waln. As a tribal cop, he was called to many of the youth suicide scenes and witnessed the pain first hand.

"Hawkeye" is in his first term as a Tribal Council member and as of this writing is a candidate for another term. He was instrumental in presenting evidence to successfully oust the Tribal Council Chair.

My original purpose for the visit was to discuss the stories about youth suicide attempts and the efforts of the tribe, federal government, and caring citizens to deal with it. The discussion went much wider than that.

According to Waln, and Pastor Moore, numerous attempts to deal with the tragic issue of youth suicide had not produced much in the way of positive results.

When the local faith community proposed saying prayers for families and children on each road, street, and alley on the expansive reservation, the Tribal Council gave permission. The prayers started, with many people participating. According to Waln, a sense of calm and serenity came over the area and it began to have an impact.

Pastor Moore told stories of being invited into homes for special individual prayers. Today, the number of attempts has gone down significantly.

Next came the topic of feral dog packs. According to Waln the problem of dogs running at large has been around for a long time. The death of the child on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and the woman on Rosebud from feral dogs has brought the problem to the forefront.

The Tribal Council has finally found the money and courage to act. There is now a systematic effort to deal with dogs running at large.

I did not travel much of the reservation. Between the communities of Rosebud and Mission, I did see a small pack of large dogs running along the highway. They were mangy-looking with no collars. I was glad to be in my car rather than on foot or on a bicycle.

During the final segment  of the Viewpoint University Program I asked Waln the biggest problems he sees today. His answer was immediate.

First is housing. Affordable, safe housing.

Second was medical care provided, or according to Waln not provided, by the Indian Health Service. He cited stories of people seeking care, being denied significant treatment, being sent home and dying a few days later.

According to Waln, IHS officials refuse to answer questions about budget use, treatments, and outcomes. He said, some tribal council members are considering suing the IHS to obtain what he says should be public information.

Also, the IHS is notoriously slow in paying for approved services. Some requests for payments have gone unanswered for two years.

The radio hour went fast.

Hawkeye Waln impressed me. He is young, passionate, intelligent, and articulate. He clearly knows what is required to make things better and is not shy requesting it. If he is part of the new leadership on the Rosebud, I expect good things will happen.

Pastor Moore also has a good feel for the physical, spiritual, and intellectual needs of the people.

There are many complex issues on the Rosebud Reservation. Healthcare, housing, alcohol and drug abuse, education, and jobs to name just a few. The people I interviewed have rolled up their sleeves and are working to make a difference.

It is a hard struggle. Complacency, hopelessness, incompetence are always present. I left Mission feeling positive about the people I met and their passion to make a difference.

 

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