Why doesn’t it change?
In 2012, South Dakota was recognized as the “King of Poverty” in America. The three poorest Counties in the entire country were located in our state. Zieback, Shannon and Todd Counties were listed as the top three.
These counties just happen to be Indian Reservations.
I have long wondered why nothing changes. In 2015, Federal dollars spent on Indian Reservations was about $ 20 Billion dollars. Obviously, the solution is not sending more money.
Like the Federal and State Governments, Tribal Government is laced with graft and corruption. Beyond the structure of Tribal Government lies the poverty and desperation of the people. Dysfunctional families, drug and alcohol addiction, suicide, and rape plague these counties.
Certainly, there is a solution.
I can’t help but wonder why political leaders in our own State have not tackled this serious problem. Shouldn’t they spend their political capital to bring America’s brightest and best together to effect solutions? Couldn’t they join with Tribal leaders to change this culture of desperation?
They could. They should. They don’t.
Why???
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Remember there’s reason poverty continues on our reservations, there’s a lot of money being made off of poverty so I argue leaders don’t want it to change. Pretty simple….
These so-called poorest areas are places I also once called poorest. My gut told me otherwise during this period. I looked deeply into tribal governments and quickly proved my gut correct. Counties connected to reservations are not poor, they are mismanaged. Many Indian Reorganization Government need to be abolished. The Oglala Sioux Tribe is one of them.