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Poverty Conditions on Native American Reservations
  1. Signatures
    213 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. The President of the United States (+ 5 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • The President of the United States
      • The U.S. Senate
      • The U.S. House of Representatives
      • Sen. Tim Johnson (SD)
      • Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD-01)
      • Sen. John Thune (SD)
  2. Created By
    Nancy ONeal
    Chicago, IL
About this Petition Petition Letter
Why This Is Important

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

 

 

Recent Signatures

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]