Post:Reservation - Hannah Z.

Poor sound quality, and mid way through there is a loud long high pitched beep. Just read the script. It will work better.

The twin greatest afflictions to the reservations are dependence and despondency. Dependence on the US government commodity foods, in addition to no jobs has lead to. The permeating despair leads to alcoholism which leads to Parentless children, and many deaths. The commodity food’s nutritional imbalance has lead to other health problems.

Make it easier to have businesses on reservations. Important Carleen Hunter, co-owner of Tanka Bars which is based in the pine ridge reservation SD , has said. “What most people don’t know is that we [people on reservations] are more regulated than a nuclear power plant. We have red tape coming out our ears.” {3:45-3:54 here } We the other citizens of the United States need to make it easier to run businesses on reservations that are of the people, by the people and for the people living there.

One example of a successful start, though which should by no means be the end is Subway (also in the Hidden America series mentioned) that, due to a National Business, have standard prices can have healthier food for reasonable prices. This lead to healthier employees, and public. One woman was moved to tears because she could finally afford vegetables. One woman who got a job there lost 125 pounds. There was an improvement in heath and emotional wellbeing. Plus the competition for the positions was intense, people were vying for a position as a fast food worker.

Now imagine businesses or the facilities will be owned by people from the reservation, and employ native Americans. There have been studies that link depression and unemployment. And as is notorious about the reservations, this depression manifests in heavy drinking. Which leads to all manner of problems. But creating jobs, where you have their own people leading, Lifting each other out of the pit.

There is creativity in all people, varying amounts from one individual to another, but present in every town, and even family. If it is less of a herculean task to start a business within a reservation, there will be some, especially kids who haven’t been crushed yet and there are, who will be able to actually have an obtainable goal. Dreams will be less frequently deferred. And the quality of life will improve.

Posted in: Period 6