Received this update today:
Today at 3:03pm
After being here a few short days and seeing the conditions at Pine Ridge and it's neighboring communities, it is obvious to me the tribal government has completely lost it's ability to be effective. I have taken countless calls from mothers, fathers, and the elderly that have been turned away from the tribe. I have talked to people and heard their stories of tribal embezzlement and lack of accountability. I have hard the radio shows where the tribal leaders admit they lost the confidence of the people. I talked to Eli Baldeagle in White Clay NB. as he worked at a feed store. He told me about how tribal leaders ride around in their fancy cars and take what they want from donations and leave the scraps for the rest of the people. He is afraid that if his elders are left to freeze and die off that his culture will also. It was very hard to hear this from him and so many others. I have heard the spirit of the Lakota people cry out and seen the pain in their eyes. i have had to hold back the tears as i seen a forgotten people being taken advantage of by the very people they have elected to serve them. serve them. represent them.
There has been a few to step up and try to help their people and i have been lucky enough to witness that in Autumn TwoBulls. I have watched her answer phones tirelessly, and i have seen the propane trucks delivering propane around the rez and I can tell you it is not because of the tribal government. I have listened to the tribal government try to hinder her efforts to help her people as they do nothing but fall apart in their tribal meetings. I watched as they threatened the propane companies to not work with her and her donors, yet they are doing nothing. I have seen Autumns living conditions and know her struggle and emotions that run through her as it seems everyone tries to hinder her efforts to get warmth to the people in need. i have answered phones with her and listened to people in tears telling me they need help and all i could say is we'll get you on the list. all the while the tribe is trying to stop this. this is not the actions of elected officials putting the people first. this looks like people afraid to be held accountable and looking for a scapegoat.
The pride in these people that are going through this is so amazing and heartwrenching at the same time. i have never felt more pain and love for a people in the same moment. i see the pain in their eyes but their hearts are strong and there are warriors out here. there is a culture out here that Autumn TwoBulls refuses to let die.
you will never understand the level of everyday poverty and pain that is amongst the lakota people. if the situation remains the way it is, i fear a great people and their beautiful culture will be lost. i see major motion picture companies getting rich off these people and us as everyday city people flock to the theatres to support these ventures in capitolizing off a dying culture. yet these same entertainment companies give back nothing and like our government are no where to be seen during this time of disaster.
i want to thank Autumn and all the wonderful people that have welcomed me and allowed me to be educated if just for a moment on what it is really like here. there is no economy, this is an active area of genocide, and we need to do something about it. when a council or government turn its back on its people it is the peoples time to come together and take a stand.
respectfully,
ray martin
:'(
