A Tragic Secret

A long haired, young man lives in a rundown trailer with his grandmother and hordes of little cousins but hopes to become President. A teenaged girl wants to further her education but became a teenaged mother. An intelligent eleven year old was saved from suicide by her brother who found her hanging. Each one strives to escape the poverty and hopelessness of their culture.
With each story on 20/20 with Diane Sawyer, memories returned. I was there again. Though it had been a few years since my mission trip to the huge South Dakota Pine Ridge Reservation, conditions had not improved.
Excessive unemployment, rampant alcoholism, and extremely high numbers of diabetics plague Native Americans. When land was confiscated, their way of life disintegrated. The government yanked children from families and forced them into boarding schools to “civilize” them. Motivation and self respect declined. Little help was offered. Few seemed to care.
My eyes were opened during our week there. Our team was based at an isolated Christian school down a long dirt road. Part of our work included surveying families of children attending the school. The director wanted information so specific help could be given.
Some of the questions stunned me. We were in America not a third world country. Do you have electricity? Do you have running water?
Their answers appalled me. Some did not have electricity in their old trailers. Several also had no running water. How could they raise their children adequately without those necessities?
At a neatly kept home, my Native American companion and I entered the small living room. Smiling, but curious faces, welcomed us.
“How many people live here?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” the lady replied. Then she began counting. Finally, a large number was given.
Her home was in a well kept area but many weren’t. Scattered trailers dotted the rugged countryside. Old tires held down roofs. Government housing near Wounded Knee appeared to be in fairly good condition.
A sense of hopelessness and despair permeated much of the area. Though we met friendly, smiling people, stories abounded of unseen trials and difficulties. The recent 20/20 episode showed the country what we experienced on our church mission. Unfortunately, many other reservations have similar problems. The plight of Native Americans is a tragic secret to many Americans.
When homelessness in my county was exposed on 20/20 a few months ago, people responded. Work is being done to help. I pray that the same will happen for children on the reservations. Education, jobs, and programs for addictions will bring lasting change.
Go to www.abcnews.com and click on Diane Sawyer. There are video clips along with other information about the children, the reservation, and ways to help.
If anyone knows of groups there that are offering assistance, please let me know. I no longer have a contact in that area.