PINE RIDGE RESERVATION: Dear Friends, The moment Christopher Columbus landed on the shores of the West in 1492 the life of the Native Americans changed dramatically. His arrival ushered in centuries of suppression and genocide. The last of the so-called Great Indian Wars was a massacre of the Sioux tribe in 1890 at Wounded Knee, South Dakota. Some of the most revered names in Native American civilization were Sioux - Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Red Cloud. The stories of the grandfathers depict a people quite different from those that exist under the present conditions. They are remembered as being healthy and strong, without so much as the common cold. They were at least 6 feet or more in height and lived to be 130 to 140 years of age Their sustenance consisted of what their mother earth provided - wild game, turnips, roots Wars did not involve killing and were usually for the purpose of maintaining boundaries There was no such thing as a "poor Indian". The hunters provided for the less fortunate. The Natural Law of love and respect for each other was honored by all. The word Lakota, after all, means "allies". After being colonized and christianized, however, the conditions have changed dramatically. The original inhabitors and caretakers of this land are still considered wards of the government and given ID numbers. Altogether 90 million acres of land were taken from their original treaty. This particular reservation was known as POW (prisoner of war) camp 344. The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 dictated and restructured their organization so that they could no longer have a chief and tribal council. Their condition has been even further degraded since then. According to various studies, this region is considered in the top 10 poorest regions in the U.S., and according to some, the most impoverished. The unemployment rate is 85% with welfare checks at an average of $6000 a year. For a district of almost 4000 people a mere $5000 a month is obtained from casino earnings. The nutritional needs have suffered accordingly. Few gardens can be sustained in a 7 year drought. To these people, water is the first medicine and here it is being violated in every way by outside industry. There is no grocery store in this district. Fresh produce is almost unobtainable. This has led to epidemic of almost 50% of the population suffering from diabetes, children included. The average life expectancy of a Lakota man is only 45 years! Please visit www.bringbacktheway.com for more details on their condition as well as their causes. To contribute to the welfare of these people, please contact us at wdbailey@fssh.org. As there is often insufficient funds for a family to cover food and heating at the end of the month, that time would be especially appreciated. If donating clothing, please contribute it clean, well constructed and warm. Blankets are also much appreciated. For food items, consider those that are suited to O blood types. Also visit www.tankabar.com to support their most recent and delicious endeavor!