You won't see these events being played out on the nightly newscasts. Here is another report, from the isolated Hopi reservation. The sheer distances involved make aid operations nearly futile. Many families live in stone and mud homes, or in thin trailers not constructed for these extreme weather events. Snow accumulations have reached rooftops in some locations.
This is a traditional hogan. Imagine a family huddled inside, with three or four feet of snow on the ground.
The linked news did sound dreadful. Snow in quantities for which an area is unprepared is an an awful emergency. On the upside, it will melt; and it also amounts to an awful lot of badly-needed water in the desert.
ReplyDeleteThese people were the code-talkers of WWII.
Levi, did you receive the email from florrie about being a "contributor"?
ReplyDeleteOkay, I see you now!
ReplyDeleteWow. Hogan = hollow mudpile. Hadn't known that abot reservation areas.
ReplyDeleteWith increasing homelessness I've wondered what people have done during these storms? They should move into a foreclosed home. Around here some have been sitting vacant for well over a year. May as well be put to good use keeping people warm/dry.
Whoa, I had no CLUE that people were living in these conditions.
ReplyDeleteWhere is J. McCain during all this? He would do well to start taking care of his constituents.
Florrie, my guess is that this is entrenched in the Bureau of Indian Affairs -- a fantastic example of why we don't want the government running things.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Matt, I couldn't agree more. I wouldn't think that the Hopi would choose to live this way because it is part of their "heritage".
ReplyDeleteI was going to come on and complain about almost 3 months of my emails disappearing from Gmail.
ReplyDeleteBut, My God, this is a horrific situation.
I do wonder why this is not all over the news, and hesitate to say it might be due to the fact that it is yet another strike against the Global Warming cult.
You will also find dire circumstance on the Lakota Reservations in South Dakota. Keeping in mind the Lakota sis not voluntarily decide to live there, what is our responsibility to them? We feel for the Hatians, but what about a few Americans?
ReplyDeleteLink to an article here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704094304575029450101290726.html
Daqng! "sis" = "did"
ReplyDeleteHere is the link.
ReplyDelete"Power-line damage across all reservations may exceed 5,000 downed poles, which tribal authorities said may take weeks or months for utility companies to repair."
That's horrible. I wonder why it's not in the news? How are they going to stay warm if it takes weeks or months to repair? Or get water?
"A special Wells Fargo account established to help raise funds to evacuate tribal members with medical needs brought in just $450 in donations on its first day, said Eileen Briggs, a Cheyenne River Tribal executive."
WTH?? The "big names" in Hollywood could raise them enough funds in one day to restore their ancient water system. I would have to blame the press for ignoring this story. I believe people would help if this was all over the news.
This is sickening.
ReplyDeleteAnd you are right, florrie.
"WTH?? The "big names" in Hollywood could raise them enough funds in one day to restore their ancient water system. I would have to blame the press for ignoring this story. I believe people would help if this was all over the news."
ReplyDeleteI may be out of line with this comment, but I think the lack of attention is due to the fact that many tribal members don't hate the US. No news there in other words. I mean really, shouldn't Sean Penn be sending in fleets of Snow-mobiles to help. He was so damn quick on the scene in New Orleans after all.
Luther, m inclined to agree with you. However, I must resist the temptation to bash for the sake of bashing. Lending ones talents is certainly worthy -- and for it to achieve anything they, obviously, have to promote it. It would probably fit right in with their agenda to show how bad the U.S. is treating the Native Americans.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, however, nothing brings out the spotlight than a brand-new disaster.
How much does it cost to fix a utility pole on a reservation?
Ari,
ReplyDeleteI've had encounters with some authentic Lakota medicine man types. They aren't so fond of us, to put it mildly.
That such sentiment is not without reason doesn't stop me from being on my guard around such people.
A couple summers ago I went to Plymouth Plantation, where some native Wampanoag people have a fascinating and moving site with traditional shelters, crafts, a small farm, etc.
Their goal is to be awarded enough land so that a core cluster of them can return to traditional ways and propagate their culture. This includes traditional shelters - in New England winters. They will not need rescue by helicopter; Massachusetts has plenty roads and snowplows.
About the Hopi I know very little but I'd suggest at least the possibility that those who live in traditional hogans do so by choice.
"the possibility that those who live in traditional hogans do so by choice."
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing that's the case and thought of mentioning it in my comment.
"They aren't so fond of us, to put it mildly."
And yes, regardless of my comment, this is likely true as well. Perhaps I am biased by how many Native Americans I knew in the military. Sure, for some it was a way off the 'res'. But for most others it was from a desire of keeping America, America.
For a small example, in reading the 'obits' here in Tucson. Military honors and times of service are always at the top in Native American transcriptions of another's life.
Sorry, that last sentence sloppy.
But for most others it was from a desire of keeping America, America.
ReplyDeleteYes, there is a real strain of hardcore patriotism among some Native Americans - quite a few, actually.
I did see an amazing Lakota medicine blanket a few years ago. The Eagle symbol is traditional Lakota "medicine", and this blanket had an eagle motif - it was a riff on the Great Seal of the United States, actually. Instead of clutching an olive branch, and looking off to the side, the eagle clutched arrows in both claws, and was looking right at you.
Completely bad ass.
I'm still wondering how to "read" that symbol.
And where are the millions of (tax free) dollars from reservation Casinos ending up? As florrie can attest, you can't drive ten miles on I5 in WA before you are affronted by one.
ReplyDelete"Completely bad ass."
ReplyDeleteCould it be, that most have accepted their fate, that the old days are gone, that what is, is. That they are members of a new tribe?
Fay, reservations can have casinos every five miles if they want. The only thing that bothers me about it is that much of the profits appear to be going elsewhere than to the tribe.
Lewy... my other community blog, which you'll see if you click on my profile, has a three column format. I'm sure 'ambisinistral' would be most willing to help if you were to give a shout out.
ReplyDelete"Fay, reservations can have casinos every five miles if they want. The only thing that bothers me about it is that much of the profits appear to be going elsewhere than to the tribe."
ReplyDeleteExactly, Luther. The casinos are making some members very rich (which has translated into a powerful lobby), yet the "res" areas are still very poor, run-down homes with lots of junk in the yards. An exception is the S'Klallam tribe in Sequim; yes, they have have a casino but also a tribal health clinic and many other amenities and seem to be spreading the wealth among the tribespeople. I think you have to be something like 1/64th N.A. to claim rights.
I mean, there could be lots of exceptions - this is just one I know about personally.
ReplyDeleteAs a general rule, you can apply for tribal membership if you have an ancestor listed on the Dawes Rolls (or other base roll). However, different tribes have their own criteria; some tribes require considerably more than the blood quantum; you must physically be associated with the tribe, or actually live on the reservation.
ReplyDeleteSome tribes, like the western band Cherokees, make money by selling "honorary" memberships to whites. (pointing and laughing)
Many members of the Five Civilized Tribes (such as eastern band Cherokees) were assimilated prior to the Dawes Rolls, lived as "whites", and didn't make the forced migration west. A good number of the old families of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina (the Smoky Mountain folk) carry Cherokee blood, but can't prove blood quantum because their ancestors weren't enumerated by the feds.
A person only needs to prove blood quantum to a "federal recognized tribe" to receive a CDIB "gimme gimme" card from the federal government. There are continual clashes between tribes and Uncle Sam regarding tribal membership.
Regarding hogans: I don't know how many times I've seen families living in hogans constructed in the back yard of a gov't-built house, while the house remains empty.
ReplyDeleteThe plight of Native Americans is complicated and ongoing. One thing is for certain: looking the other way isn't working. An epidemic of drugs, alcoholism and obesity, coupled with little or no preventive medical care, has given Native Americans third-world mortality rates, and stripped them of the tools necessary to lift themselves from poverty.
Okay, rant OFF. :)
Perhaps I wasn't clear. My point was why is Haiti, Bande Aceh, et al such tear jerkers to the press and public, but our own ordinary disasters are scarcely noticed...unless you have the sqwalering NOLA example where it's identify politics for one identity. At least I don't recall the Haitians accusing me of causing their earthquake...maybe that's a reson to help them. Still no reason to not help our own.
ReplyDeleteWhy is a starving Hatian more worthy of attention than a freezing Lakota or Hopi?
And I'm with Luther on the soldiering issue...Native Americans have made damn fine U. S. soldiers for a long time now. How many from Port-au-Prince have their been?
Regarding hogans: I don't know how many times I've seen families living in hogans constructed in the back yard of a gov't-built house, while the house remains empty.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that something? I remember also hearing about Bedouins - houses being built for them to discourage the tent-living migratory existence. The Bedouins would then fill the buildings with sheep and pitch a tent out back.
Update! The National Guard has come to the rescue. Also, from the article:
ReplyDelete"The entire region is thankful for the State assistance, including the incident management team and the National Guard, being provided during this emergency, as a result of the recent State of Emergency declared by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer."
Wow. The people are grateful and thankful for the assistance? How refreshing!