Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Surge on 'The Rock'

Surge on 'The Rock'

Aug 05, 2008 - 04:06:04 CDT

By LAUREN DONOVAN
Bismarck Tribune

STANDING ROCK SIOUX RESERVATION - Daniel Mead, a foot soldier in a surge against crime on Standing Rock, said the reservation is more like Iraq, where he served a year, than any other place he's ever been.

Children, desperate for attention, throng to his police car, like they clustered around the Humvees near Baghdad. Elderly people are grateful for the protection.

"I feel like I'm in the right place at the right time," said Mead, who finished a one-month tour on Standing Rock on Sunday. He's a police officer and a former Marine, on loan from the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma.

Mead had a split lip and two broken teeth from running down a teenager Saturday night. The kid tripped and he tripped over him.

"Those kids, man, those kids are what kill me. It's harder than Iraq because it's in America," he said. "I made one little girl, 6 years old, look me in the eye and promise she'd never start drinking."

The surge that Mead is part of is the Bureau of Indian Affairs' "Project Dakota Peacekeeper."

The idea, said BIA deputy director of justice, Pat Ragsdale, was to move in enough police to combat a state of lawlessness on the reservation. There's no money for the operation, so he's piecemealing the estimated $1 million out of other funds, he said.

The surge started in June and was supposed to last three months, but Ragsdale said he's going to scrounge up enough funds to keep it going at least one more, through September.

"The people who are waiting for us to leave will have to wait longer," he said.

Ragsdale said the surge is working.

In two months, the 20 extra officers, working with nine already on the reservation, have made more than 1,000 arrests for juvenile offenses, drugs, crimes against children, and domestic violence and handled more than 6,000 calls for service.

The number of arrests appears to be declining. Ragsdale interprets that to mean the corner's been turned and that by dealing with minor offenses, officers are preventing a trend of escalating offenses.

Tribal Chairman Ron His Horse Is Thunder said he started calling for help this spring, when Cory Long Chase was shot and run over with a car in McLaughlin, S.D.

"Enough is enough," His Horse Is Thunder said. "I asked (the BIA) how many of my people have to die before something gets done." The chairman said there were only five BIA officers when he started his term in 2004.

Standing Rock has, depending on what year and what statistic cited, somewhere in the top 15th highest crime rate among more than 200 reservations with police reporting agencies and nearly six times the national rate for violent crime.

Alcohol, and its damaging effects on families, and lack of employment are main factors, Ragsdale said.

Arnold Schott, mayor of McLaughlin, said Operation Dakota Peacekeeper has turned around his small town, which is part white and part Sioux concentrated in a housing district on the west side.

A command center in a fifth-wheel type of trailer is parked on a gravel lot near the school in McLaughlin. Elmer Four Dance, special BIA agent in charge of the operation, said it was deployed there to serve the South Dakota side of the vast open lands of reservation, which altogether has 2.3 million acres and 10,000 people. The command center has satellite communications on board, and officers come and go in and out of McLaughlin day and night.

"It's been wonderful for the last 60 to 70 days to have law and order here," said Schott, the mayor. "The Indian grandmothers can get their rest at night; otherwise, they were up all night, and so were we."

Break-ins and vandalism are common nightly occurrences in McLaughlin. Schott said he gets out of bed at around 2 a.m. most nights, drives around and finds young kids, 11 and 12 years old, wandering around, stoned, no clue, no parents anywhere.

"There's so much crime here," Schott said.

Ardyce Taken Alive runs a Girls and Boys Club in McLaughlin. She said the surge officers are friendly to the kids, and kids know they're there to protect them.

"There's trust getting built up. I hate to see it lost," she said.

Some of those kids are Channing Swimmer, 16, who was bumming around with his pal, Tyler Fourth, 14, at the weekend powwow and rodeo in Fort Yates.

Swimmer said the officers are keeping trouble away.

"People are driving responsibly and things are cleaner," he said. "I wish they would stay. It makes it more safe."

It's for kids like Swimmer that Roger Gullickson, 31, of Standing Rock, was leaving this week for police academy training. He's a former Marine and now he wants to be an officer on the reservation.

"These are underserved children out here. It's the neglect of the children that really bothers me. It's normal for them to live in a home where there's a party all night, people are passed out in the living room, and mom and dad are yelling at each other," he said.

Gullickson said he sees that the surge has made a difference. He said he sees it because there aren't drunks lying in the street, people aren't reaching out and hassling passersby, drivers aren't blowing through town at high speeds.

Standing Rock, with its amazingly beautiful landscape and so many broken people, is home, and Gullickson said he feels he needs to be there for the long haul.

"These (surge) people will leave and then what? Will what's been suppressed come back stronger?" he asks.

Tribal councilman Joe McNeil said he, too, would like to see the surge, or at least the extra officers, continue the work started with Operation Dakota Peacekeeper.

People are afraid of retaliation if they reported something these past two months, he said. They worry, "Will they break my windows? Will they beat my kids?" he said.

McNeil said the surge was like pulling the covering off a festering wound of cultural poverty that has multiplied for generations.

Ragsdale said no society can arrest its way out of problems, but this operation could be the beginning of better times ahead.

"Without some measure of peace and tranquility, nothing else can happen," Ragsdale said. "You can't build stability around lawlessness."

(Reach reporter Lauren Donovan at lauren@westriv.com or 888-303-5511.)

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Comments

no pride in being native wrote on Aug 18, 2008 6:23 PM:

" alcohol is the cause for all this.......the end "

CC wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:34 AM:

" To winyan ohitikawin you claim that mayor mclaughlin order sitting bull to brought in dead or alive you should read your history first before making judgement, the top generals are the ones that ordered mayor or have sitting bull brought in but not dead but alive and also is was Red Tomahawk and Bull Head that shot Sitting Bull and killed him READ YOUR HISTORY "

Bono wrote on Aug 12, 2008 9:57 PM:

" Who governs the casino? Who accounts for the money and where it goes? Really, the amount of money the 2 casinos takes in is staggering. So much could/and should be done with it. The corruption needs to end on the reservation as a starting point.

The "surge" should start at the top and work down. You know it all rolls downhill. "

kenny wrote on Aug 12, 2008 9:19 PM:

" to niki and others
Why do us whites always get blamed for everyone elses problems. If it is a native american problem we get blamed, black we get blamed, latino guess what we get blamed. Mabey there should be a complete genocide against the white man. Be mad at the people that were elected and some of your own people that are robbing you blind. My family members had nothing to do with what happened to your ancesters. As a matter of fact my ancesters fled germany to escape concentration camps. So don' t blame the evil white man, I'm only trying to make a living in my country the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. "

Winyan Ohitikawin wrote on Aug 12, 2008 5:35 PM:

" Good comments for the most part; However, I haven't seen any mention of our Lakota spirituality. Our spirituality is what Major James McLaughlin saw in LaLa Sitting Bull and the major feared our Lala mightyly and ordered him "brought in to the agency, dead or alive". We all know the rest of the story they brought him in dead and that still wasn't enough for the major, he ordered lye spilled on our Lala's body and then buried where the major could keep an eye on him. Right outside of the agency town of Fort Yates.

But what the major feared was the power of Lala's Lakota spirituality, we all need to get back to our true roots and believe in Wakan Tanka (God) again, instead of what money can buy. We need to be who we were meant to be, Lakota. Cause peoples, the brown, it don't wash off, ever. Money can't buy love, hope or spirituality. But money sure can buy the things of misery, drugs and alcohol. We need to start looking at their money as a tool for those items we need in our lives food, clothing and a roof over our heads to keep our loved ones together and safe.

We need to remember that our precious children have only one childhood and we as a community of Lakota people need to provide the best and happiest childhoods we can give our children by providing better paths for them to walk their lives on. Stop giving them memories of seeing relatives, mom & dad drunk or high. Struggle hard to be clean & sober instead of struggling to find that money for the bad stuff. Don't depend on Tribal Council for leadership only 2-3 councilpersons are capable of leadership; Remember every step in the right direction in our life's journey begins with ourselves and no one else, encourage one another. IT'S THE LAKOTA WAY !!! Mitakuye Oyasin from the bottom of my heart!!!! "

CC wrote on Aug 12, 2008 3:09 PM:

" Thank you Peach Officers for helping out on the Standing Rock Reservation you are more than welcome. Please don't get me wrong but I think that we on Standing Rock Should be shame that we have to have other reservations send their Officers to Standing Rock especially after all we have TWO casinos in which if the money was used right we would not need to bring in other Officers we should be able to hire our own and have the money to beable to hire them. One may say shut down the bars on the rez it is easier said than done. Remember PROUD PEOPLE you elected the Chairman and Council people into office remember you can also get them out of office the Chairman and Council people are suppose to work for you not themselves if you don't like something they do than band together and get them out what are you afraid of STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS you complain instead of complaining do something we shouldn't be begging for money from another Tribe we should be standing on our own two legs whats wrong people wake up we need to get housing back into order did you check out the Chairman's house WOW we should be living like that or do you like living the way you do now I don't think so your probably say what do we do well get together and start doing something don't wait for some else to get the ball rolling start it yourself, if you don't like something say so why take it or is it easier for to take it, well i guess i said enough hope y0u all have a wonderful day "

deidrelee wrote on Aug 12, 2008 2:20 PM:

" Dang why can't the people on the reservation look forward to something good. Why can't someone go in and write about it, and it just be an article without someone throwing the freaking race cards out there, yes there is alcohol, yes there is drugs, yes there is domestic violence, yes there is corruption, yes there is child neglect and yes there is homelessness. But where else in the world can you go that you don't see that? No one can say that they know a place where this don't happen.

I loved this article and everything about it, I love that the people back home are taking a stand against the violence. Im glad that SOMEONE at this paper took notice to it and decided to portray something good for once that is happening on the reservation. Its just sad that there are some people out there who don't see the good.

I hate to burst the bubble for people who live in Bismarck, but Bismarck is no better than the rez. Its not just the indians who do drugs, or who drink. Shoot the white people do it everyday too. There just as addicted to it. I know that there are white people out there who have read this article to, and rolled there eyes and made there racial comments against the indian people, and i know that some of these comments are from ignorant white people who don't take a good look at there own families and there own lives but yet have the nerve to pass judgement of indians.

I don't feel sorry for the indian people back home, Im proud of them for taking the stand. I do feel sorry for the white people who have read this and think there better than everyone. Only one person can pass his judgement and thats the Lord, and im sorry white people but your not him, Karma is a pain and you will feel it. Don't diss those who are trying to do good while you sit your butts and complain. "

Dougy wrote on Aug 12, 2008 1:46 PM:

" "To niki"

EXACTLY RIGHT!! People would rather keep believing that Natives are given so much help, that they don't just take the 2 minutes it would take to research and dispel the "myth". Nothing has been "given"; rather it has all been paid for in buckets of blood. "

niki wrote on Aug 12, 2008 1:19 PM:

" It is so easy for you people to judge Native people. You think we have it soo easy while trying to fight all of our own problems and having to listen to your bs about how we get "ALL THIS GOVERNMENT HELP". If that was true, wouldnt it be a better place already? We were here before all these other peoples and nations so we are NATIVE to this land. The reason why the govt. chooses to help us is because it was written in treaty..we'll take your land, we'll give you nothing. Most of our problems come from you people anyhow, alcohol was given to our ancestors so the whites could steal our land. Be happy it turned out good for you. "

non conformist wrote on Aug 12, 2008 1:09 PM:

" Maybe the tribal council should learn to stop lining their own pockets. Look at how these people live, they dont care about our people being poverty struck. Our casino makes plenty of revenue, we just have the wrong people in control of the money, including our tribal chairman Jackie Chan. I agree with BB, they need to ban alcohol. In the last 3 years the newest businesses to go up was a bar, and a funeral home. The funeral home is now closed but the bar is flourishing. That says alot. And the people opening up the bars obviously dont care that they're killing the people. Anything to make a buck eh? "

Dougy wrote on Aug 12, 2008 8:41 AM:

" "To Chad Biegler"

Very well said sir. It is nice to see that the blogs are frequented by educated and open minded people as well as the majority. It is ludacris that people openly voice their ignorance in this manner and then whine when nobody ever moves here. Aside from that, I wholeheartedly agree that more full time officer positions need to be created and maintained to combat crime on the reservation. "

Chad Biegler wrote on Aug 12, 2008 4:42 AM:

" I would like to say I am surprised at alot of these posts but I am not, having grown up in Mandan. There are a lot of you people on here who are so smug and insensitive it makes me sick. And if you are Christian, which I assume many on here are, you really have no excuse for your selfishness.

Why should we be held accountable for what our ancestors did? The answer is simple. Because its the honorable thing to do!!!! Some will say not my family not my people. Do you live in America I ask? If you do then you not only did you inherit the wealth and abundance of our nation but also the injustices and "sins" of our nation.

We can close these wounds for good. That doesn't mean handing out. That means reaching out. Where's the decency these days??? MY PEOPLE are MOSTLY to blame for the state of things now. And as the sons and daughters of that dispicable past we should do our best to make things right. Oh wait I forgot the natives should just accept that they were defeated and swindled and simply assimilate quietly like good conquired people. That's ridiculous!!! And if that makes you feel guilty or offended or angry cause you can't change the past....GOOD!!!! Because that should inspire you not to put your children and their children in the same future and should make you start thinking of new possibilities. If that doesnt work, pretend nothing has happend in the past and see reality it in the present tense. Which is there are some neighbors in distress and need some help....not some people doomed to alcoholism and crime and hopelessness til the end of time. Makes me wanna scream!!

Oh wait I forgot the natives should just accept that they were defeated and swindled and simply assimilate quietly like good conquired people. That's ridiculous!!! "

to whitegirl wrote on Aug 11, 2008 9:35 PM:

" Writing for grant money is not a plan for stability. Someday the grants will stop. "

MamaMia wrote on Aug 11, 2008 9:00 PM:

" Personal Discretion: Does teaching Native American adults and teenagers for 23 years qualify as "walking the walk"? Just wondering. "

rezgirl wrote on Aug 11, 2008 4:12 PM:

" Tribal council... INCLUDING our fearless leader the Chairman... should forfeit their travel funds and put it into salaries for more officers. Why do they travel around the country so much when there is so much work that needs to be done here on the reservation? Why should SRST even consider borrowing 2 million dollars from Shakopee to expand PKC of all things!!! you mean they couldn't borrow that money to build a treatment center? I think that says it all people, this is where the priorities line up with council. Bigger casino means what exactly? More pay for council members obviouxly, they are the only ones who benefit from anything! "

whitegirl wrote on Aug 11, 2008 9:52 AM:

" the additional cops are a great welcome, although the cops that live here on the rez do need additional training for they are afraid of the "big" families. but as said the crime will continue after all the surge cops have left . our casino money goes to council travel and salary. the only indians that get a per cap each month are the ones that have huge casino's like shakopee. and it is sad that our tribe is begging for money from shakopee whereas if there was good planning we would be able to keep more cops and create more jobs. the tribe has lost sight in investing on writing for more grant money . also lost sight in the bia recontracting issues when the budgets come out from washington,DC. this rez does need more cops, but alot of this does stem from the home life in which a child learns from example. "

This is nuts wrote on Aug 10, 2008 11:29 PM:

" Yateslady, You are correct, Modeling, what children see their parents do is what they are going to do, it works well in screwing up us white folk too.

No question, jobs and industry needs to be created, done right tourism could even be created, but that is only a dream. It takes money to create business, it takes knowledge and responsibility to make it successful. First and formost it takes leadership and the modeling of that historic wisdom to the young, the cycle has to be broken! "

member wrote on Aug 10, 2008 8:12 PM:

" i haven't seen any success in the surge or what ever it is called. the only ones that get arrested are the regulars, what a waste of moneyfor bring in all these other police officers when we were suppose to have two police officers in each community already, back in the late seventy's and early eighty's , the leadership at our police deptment was so bad we lost all of these position, now look at the leadership that was here are retired and hold good paying job's at our casino's, i know one who never left the fort yates area and had himself promoted to captain and not doing any thing for the people, its things like this this that should be checked into. aho a member "

FightingSioux wrote on Aug 10, 2008 7:53 PM:

" Wise People? How is that? Tell me some facts why you are so wise? I would have to disagree! "

SR full blood wrote on Aug 10, 2008 1:02 PM:

" yateslady: I don't like our current chairman either. You make a valid point, alot of these guys never grew up with us or know what alot of us went through growing up on Standing Rock, yet they always seem to get into office, but to say only full bloods should be allowed to run for office is blatant racism. "

yateslady wrote on Aug 10, 2008 3:50 AM:

" i think this surge is a good idea and i see that many ppl dont what is goin on...as a person growin up in ft yates i have seen ppl beat up ppl..underage drinkin and partyin..domestic violence...and many other things to name...and people that dont live here think that its easy to just forget about whats all goin on because they arent the ones that are living here undergoing all of this...and it isnt that easy to just say "hey i think i'll go out and get a job"...there arent many job opportunities here for many people and to me thats what leads to alcoholism..and the kids nowadays see their parents drinking days on end and think its just normal and that leads to them drinking when they get older...there are many wise people here with traditions and goals,young and old, and i think that we all need to help each other out and make ourselves a more better people...and that isnt even half of it...i dont know why we have a tribal chairman that isnt even fully native when we should be having sumone who grew up here and is educated and a full blooded standing rock native... "

not a rez resident wrote on Aug 9, 2008 10:30 PM:

" To 'Facts': AMEN "

Facts wrote on Aug 9, 2008 5:59 PM:

" I'm as Native American as the Americans on the Reservation. The color of my skin is white and I was born in America, therefore, I'm a Native to America as well! The answer once again is not more free this and free that from the government, instead, the solution is for all Americans, regardless of skin color, to take responsibility for their own actions, make wise decisions (think before acting), get a job and provide for their own family, and quit expecting the government to solve your problems. Americans on the Reservation already have plenty of resources to work with, the balance of what their looking for will only come from a change of heart and mind within each individual and not from more free hand outs from the government! In other words QUIT SINNING!!! "

not a rez resident wrote on Aug 9, 2008 4:29 PM:

" I truly feel bad for all the native americans. You have many many wise people that are dying off. Where is the leadership? Who is supposed to be in charge? What is going on!? "

not a rez resident wrote on Aug 9, 2008 4:23 PM:

" I think if they want to live in a sovereign nation, we should put up a fence and hire border patrol. "

paige wrote on Aug 9, 2008 4:11 PM:

" MamaMia!!!!! "

sr_rocker wrote on Aug 9, 2008 3:30 PM:

" I am an enrolled member of Standing Rock and was born and lived here all my life. Some of you will never know how it is to live on a rez. We need jobs and housing for our people. We need "Adult" and "Juvenile" Treatment Centers . We may be able to help a few adults yet. Another thing is where do people go to complain about the police officers when they feel their civil rights have been violated?? I feel this so called "Surge" is ony a "Band Aid" for the problems we have here. We need our own police officers who know our people and the problems they face. Never give up on lakota/dakota people of Standing Rock. "

wise wrote on Aug 9, 2008 6:49 AM:

" the sioux nation need to take care of themselves, they are proud and wise people? "

Jacki wrote on Aug 8, 2008 11:25 PM:

" MamaMia; I guess that's where you and I are thinking differently. You are looking at 'them' as 'Natives', where I am looking at the residents of the reservations as people in need of help. I don't think it's presumptuous to want to find help for them. I was asking what your solution is because I hadn't seen you write one yet, and was interested in what your input would be. "

MamaMia wrote on Aug 8, 2008 12:15 PM:

" Jacki: As a bonafide white girl, I think it would be a bit presumptuous for me to give the Native people an "answer" to their problems. It's even more presumptuous for you to suggest that I give one. "

Believer wrote on Aug 8, 2008 11:28 AM:

" God Bless the cops returning order. Yes it is a long standing problem and so many issues, stop blaming and start praying. "

Jacki wrote on Aug 8, 2008 10:57 AM:

" PMS and Keith Enrolled; I agree with your statements. MamaMia; what is 'your' answer to the problems on the rez? Do you think things are fine as is? Do you think the answer is pouring more money to the tribal leaders? I'd like your opinion as to what should be done, instead of your blame for some people's past bad decisions. "

tonto wrote on Aug 8, 2008 9:16 AM:

" keith enrolled that is so true, we should start with the inner cities and the rest of rural americans across america. farm subsidies, foodstamps, housing assistance and welfare payments for deadbeat parents should be eliminated then we can look at american natives. providing the country is'nt overthrown first. "

MamaMia wrote on Aug 8, 2008 9:14 AM:

" To Keith Enrolled: Well, good luck with all that. "

Keith Enrolled wrote on Aug 8, 2008 8:55 AM:

" To Mama-Mia, you are obviously part of the problem. It is the people who are responsible for them selves and that has to start sometime. If we are to continue to live in a state where we go on excepting responsibility for our past generations errorrs we will never go forward and evolve. I am Native and White (if you need the breakdown) and I am sick of paying through my taxes for all people of all back grounds for mistreatment their ancestors recieved from our ancestors. Treaties were made and broke and agreements made and broke etc. for all kinds of people. Living in the past will only keep you in the past. We need to tear down the walls and elliminate the boarders that separate and divide america. Americans need to become color blind and united in going forward. This will probably never happen because of backwoods living in the past people like yourself. "

MamaMia wrote on Aug 8, 2008 8:49 AM:

" PMS: You, too, need to get away from Natives and reservations. They don't need you and your ilk either. "

PMS wrote on Aug 8, 2008 4:31 AM:

" I have lived in ND all my life and worked/lived with NA for over 20 years. I am tired of "owing" them, Being blamed for the choices that they have made because I am a whiteman and I apparently did something to them. No where in history did a conquering people "deal" with the people that they conquered. They took the land and either the conquered assimilated or moved.
There are several programs out there available to help the NA get on there feet, get jobs. In fact several agencies will bend over backwards to help the NA get on their feet. Very few try some agencies actually try to recruit NA to receive the help because noone seems to want it.
What type of human watches others beat someone to death? Leave Children alone to go out drinking? Let children wander around at all hours of the night? A human who is so self absorbed that they think only of what will make them feel good.
NO ONE seems to be able to anser the question about where all the casino profits go? Where does all the money go for healthcare? i do not think that paying the NA for the land that was "stolen" is a good idea when they can not seem to keep track and make good use of the money that they all ready get. "

Personal discretion wrote on Aug 7, 2008 11:20 PM:

" MamaMia - Bluster is talking the talk but not walking the walk - you can sit in your seemingly ivory tower and tell people to step up and take responsibility for things that were done many years ago by people they never knew, but you can't, or won't share what YOU as an individual are doing to correct those wrongs. I can read a book just like anyone else, but my reading a book won't change things on the reservation. I know exactly what life is like down on the reservation - no, I don't live there, but I spend a significant amount of time down there for my job working with the poorest of the poor. I go in their homes, I see what it's like, I see the issues they deal with. I do have empathy and I'm sorry for what happened many years ago, but you can't be a victim forever. Until the people themselves stand up for themselves and take some responsibility for "today and tomorrow" nothing will ever change. "

To MamaMia wrote on Aug 7, 2008 4:14 PM:

" MamaMia, you seem to have a much better understanding of the realities than many of the other posters. It seems that many have a hard time understanding the definition of the word "perpetuity", and that it was Congress who ratified these laws. I would like to commend you for trying to explain the real world to some who seem to be confused by misconceptions. However in my experience, some people are content to stay in the dark about race related issues such as this. It is easier to hate someone if you can believe all the lies that are proliferated about them. That being said, don't stop telling the truth just because some of the more uninformed people are happy to live in their turtle shell of ignorance. The more enlightened will be open minded (my co-worker professed that she never knew that Per Cap checks were in exchange for something after reading your post). I also wanted to say that the extra police presence is appreciated by everyone except the criminals and keep up the good work. I agree with rezgirl as well though, that change must begin at the top and that no amount of arrests will make a difference as long as people don't face real consequences. "

MamaMia wrote on Aug 7, 2008 2:06 PM:

" Personal Discretion: What's bluster about the truth and recommending a book? You are too sensitive. Need to buck up a little. "

Personal discretion wrote on Aug 7, 2008 2:01 PM:

" MamaMia...wow...great answer...lot's of tough talk but apparently all bluster. "

rezgirl wrote on Aug 7, 2008 1:53 PM:

" Don't get me wrong, I am glad the extra officers are here I really am thankful. But I'm only looking at the end consequences. We all keep saying there will be retaliation of some sorts. Like what? fights in the streets? Unruly juveniles? Parents looking for an entity to blame for their childs' delinquency? People getting murdered? Hey, welcome to Standing Rock. What I'm trying to say and have been saying is that the only people who can fix our reservation is US. Standing Rock gets all this money from the casino, or where ever they get money from and it's their decision where that money goes. WE, the people, always complain about not having a treatment facility here on Standing Rock, but as soon as money comes into the picture we find other things more important. We get intimidated by the council and we forget that we have voices too. If we all stick together and WANT better things for our reservation, WE can do it. But in reality, NO we all sit here and bicker because somebody from the south of the border is getting some we didn't up on this side. Yes, OUR people fight like that amongst ourselves. We're scared to help each other get ahead! We are killing OURSELVES! and we want to sit here and point the finger at the white man??!!! They don't need to kill our culture off, we're doing a good enough job on our own! Then these outside officers come to the reservation to save us? From what? Drugs they say? Alcohol? People should look at our court docket in our local paper, I often ask myself this question "how many Disorderly Conducts can a person get and how often?" "How many times can you neglect your children? But nobody sits in jail because there is no personnel to enforce punishment. I'm sorry but all the officers or money in the world can't fix what we don't want fixed. "

MamaMia wrote on Aug 7, 2008 1:22 PM:

" Jacki and Personal Discretion: You will both continue to live in a state of blissful denial no matter what I say, so I'll just let it be. For the sake of enlightenment, may I suggest you read the book, Coyote Warrior by Paul VanDervelder? It may give you a different perspective. "

concerned new comer wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:32 PM:

" What it comes down to is accountability for both BIA agency and the Tribal Council. They need to start doing their jobs and serve our people. For instance, they both need to work together in order to move forward. The Tribal council is responsible for the courts and the laws. The council needs to pass more stricter laws than a slap on the hand and to follow through with the punishments regardless of who is doing the wrong. The BIA is also wrong for letting the Standing Rock Reservation continue as it has been for years and not stepping in sooner. The BIA can improve the situation by having 20 permanent police officers positions placed on this reservation. The people in Standing Rock Reservation also need to do their part by voicing their concerns/issues to the BIA and Tribal council and hold them accountable. I believe the BIA officers have done a good job in serving their people with the lack of support and cooperation from the Tribe. "

rezgirl wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:06 PM:

" Gullickson made a comment in this article about not seeing the bums anymore... he needs to take off his rose colored glasses and take a look at the real picture. I'm sure that was a well thought out comment to be put in print to make the "surge" look good. But the real picture is those same bums are sitting on the same streets, passed-out along the same buildings regardless of how many officers we have patrolling our rez. "

Personal discretion wrote on Aug 7, 2008 11:50 AM:

" To Mama Mia - " Jacki: If you are a citizen of the United States you need to step up to the plate just like the rest of us and own up to the dastardly deeds OUR NATION did to the Native Americans. No less will do. " Please share what you are doing, personally, to make amends for the dastardly deeds OUR NATION did & what you think each one us non-Native Americans is supposed to do. Do you feel the same way towards African Americans, and if so, what are you doing to make "amends"? When does this breast-beating end or doesn't it? When do people simply stand up for themselves and do what they have to do to bring about change? "

Jacki wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:54 AM:

" I think rezgirl got it right! "

Jacki wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:51 AM:

" I disagree with you MamaMia; we are all equal here and should not have to make ammends for anything we (or our ancestors) did or didn't do. You said it's a problem the 'white man' created and should take care of. I was responding to that. Perhaps you should have stated 'this nation' created. Blacks, orientals, hispanics, mixed race....every citizen is paying for what SOME men did a couple of hundred years ago. I think it's time we get rid of the whole reservation idea, it obviously doesn't work that well and only continues the segregation. "

MamaMia wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:21 AM:

" Jacki: If you are a citizen of the United States you need to step up to the plate just like the rest of us and own up to the dastardly deeds OUR NATION did to the Native Americans. No less will do. "

Facts wrote on Aug 6, 2008 10:55 PM:

" What? You mean to tell me that violent crime on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation was 5.5 times the national crime rate? I have been told my whole life from Native American groups in the media that more welfare, and more programs, and more assistance, and more education, and more funding, and more jobs, and more this, and more that are needed for the Native American community to solve its issues. Listen, all of the money and programs in the world will not change the condition of human heart to commit sinful and evil acts. In this case, the additional police enforcement is a good start, especially for those folks on the Reservation who are accountable for thier lifestyles. Someone needs to protect the civil minded citizens on the Reservation. Bad behavior deserves severe consequences. I firmly believe that capital punishment for criminal acts, regardless of skin color, would certainly deter the frequency of this kind behavior. Proper punishment for careless and reckless behavior, regardless of skin color, that are civil in nature ought to result in hard labor and full restitution, and cause the transgressor to regret thier actions. "

Jacki wrote on Aug 6, 2008 7:58 PM:

" to MamaMia; I wish people would get it out of their heads that the 'white man' stole from the Natives. SOME white men stole from the natives. My ancestors are white but weren't even on this continent at the time. They immigrated much later on and purchased their land. Therefore, I don't agree that we should be taxed as if we are making ammends for something. 'My' people weren't responsible for the native's troubles...but I'm paying for it. "

hugo wrote on Aug 6, 2008 7:49 PM:

" its a shame it took this kind of bad press to open the eyes of "fourdance" i've had the opportunity to take part in many meetings over the past 8 years or so. "fourdance" has been nothing but empty words and promises. he is the typical bureaucrat trying to make the next "step-up" in the "BIA Hierarchy. "Ragsdale" is nothing more than a man trying to save his own rear-end right now, hoping everyday the real truth why things on standing rock were allowed to spiral down to levels unseen in history. The heart of the matter started at his and fourdances desk and will end there! At the field hearings Sir Dorgan pinned Ragsdale right to the wall on where the cause and origin lie for the lack of law enforcement here on the the rock, true huh Pat? "

Terry Haskell Indian Nations University wrote on Aug 6, 2008 4:26 PM:

" Good job Louie! I hear ya!, people need to find out the whole story before belittling others who post their thoughts on these blogs.

Something everyone should be watching for is the retailiation from the people when this surge is over. Thank goodness, I won't be around there to see it. I fear for the safety of my family and friends, law-abiding citizens, elderly, children, etc.

The remaining or regular police force will bear the brunt of the endless police calls, shortage of manpower, resources, etc. It's quite obvious to see what a large police force can do, however, this is not the case here. The Tribal Budget must be modified to address many issues on the reservation. Elections are coming up and people must stand up and voice their opinions and change the budget to reflect the constituents wishes. If the proposed 2009 Tribal Budget passes as it's presented, things will not change, in fact the law enforcement on Standing Rock will become a bigger issue.

It takes a tragedy such as a death to make people move, I hope that history doesn't repeat itself in order for the reservation to have effective law enforcement. The money in the Tribal budget can be modified to include some money for law enforcement. Now's the time to take action and modify the budgets at the local district levels. There are 8 districs that can work together to make a change and to include the vital services that are a necessity. "

hello wrote on Aug 6, 2008 3:07 PM:

" to rez-girl.....good for you,....wether its the white people or natives at fault for these problems,...its up to the natives to get it right..you make your own destiny. "

MamaMia wrote on Aug 6, 2008 2:39 PM:

" Personal Discretion: If they get the check, they applied for it out of need, just as anyone applying for any other kind of assistance would. They don't just "get " it because they are Indian. And BIA funds are there to take care of a problem the white man created, don't forget that. "

To Personal Direction wrote on Aug 6, 2008 2:33 PM:

" Yes, there is such a thing as general assistance from the BIA. Again, people have to qualify for it because of income level. In other words, its for the poor. General assistance is for those who "fall between the cracks" and cannot qualify for other types of assistance like regular welfare, for whatever reason. Its not an entitlement for being Indian alone, if that were the case they would all get it, and they do not. The fact that the BIA had to come up with something like that should tell you how dire the situation can be for some Indians, in terms of poverty. "

Casino wrote on Aug 6, 2008 2:20 PM:

" Rezgirl, you should be on the Cousil. Kudos for your forward thinking and responsible comments. "

rezgirl wrote on Aug 6, 2008 2:08 PM:

" what was meant by the comment, 'another white man is opening a bar on our reservation'? To my knowledge the majority of liquor establishments are owned by Indians. Standing Rock DID ban alcohol sales on our reservation and it was INDIANS that found loop holes and sold alcohol on THEIR land. We Indians need to stop blaming the white man for all of our misfortunes. What we do with our money is our own personal choice. How we raise our children is OUR choice. Maybe if we stop looking for somebody to blame all the time and start focusing on how we can fix our Reservation with that energy, we might see some improvements in our communities. Tribal Council needs to start denying these liquor licenses and think about our children, the same children they swore they were going to protect! "

Personal discretion wrote on Aug 6, 2008 1:36 PM:

" There are actually alot of people on the reservation who get a General Assistance check from the BIA every month because they have no income...many of them consider that money ($169/mo for a single) to be an entitlement of sorts. It's my understanding the BIA is a federal agency so I'd have to believe that taxpayer dollars are funding it. "

S.R. Gurl wrote on Aug 6, 2008 12:56 PM:

" Alot of complaints come from the ones who probable drop the charges on their family members who end up in jail, only because they don't like to see them locked up, or they don't have the money to bail them out. It's the same way with Domestic Abuse victims. Just because they have kids together, these woman are afraid to be by themselves, and YES our children learn by example. These innocent babies see their dads beat their moms, and then the mom takes them back. Parents you are showing your children that it is okay to hit another person and everything will be okay, as long as they say they are sorry or they will get counseling (Which never happens). Parents need to take responsibility for their children. Make sure they are in your home at a decent hour (preferably by curfew, as the law states), quit drinking with your kids....the ones that get offended by my statement are probably the ones who are guilty of it. Thats good if you end up in jail, if you are drinking in public you should be hauled off to jail. Embarrassing yourself, causing disturbances in public. Be responsible adults, take care of your children, quit drinking..............that is the root of your problems.....this reservations problem! Everyone likes to complain and point the finger at the council, but if you can fix it, run for office and see what good you could do! "

MamaMia wrote on Aug 6, 2008 12:21 PM:

" To: to mamamia: Yes, some natives who are bonafide enrolled members of their tribe will get a "per cap" check paid to them by their TRIBE, not the US govt. The money was paid to the tribe years ago for land taken from the reservations for dams along rivers. It is money that is legally the tribes, just as if you sell your house, the check you receive is yours if you own the house free and clear. Some of these "per cap" checks are issued only one time to each enrolled member -- at the age of 18 or 21 perhaps. I hope that clears it up to you. My main point is refuting the racist, bigoted rumor that has been around for years that Indians get a monthly check from the US govt. simply for being Indians. That is not true nor has it ever been true. I just want to put that rumor to bed once and for all, but in this racist state/community, fat chance. People will continue to believe whatever fits nicely into their prejudices -- truth be damned. "

Louis wrote on Aug 6, 2008 11:16 AM:

" Hey John, I am mature and have not retaliated on anyone. Im just speaking the truth. My arrest was for speeding and not wearing my seatbelt. I have two bachelor Degrees' so im not some ignorant fool just blabbing! Im just saying, you can arrest all the criminals on the reservation, but it won't make any difference if they are released the next day no matter what they did! Also, its like the insurgents in Iraq waiting for the U.S. military to leave, they will sit quietly until they withdraw, then its business as usual. The tribal members can wait a lot longer than the outside police because its their homeland. "

to mamamia wrote on Aug 6, 2008 10:50 AM:

" So on other words some indians get a check just for being an enrolled member?? "

MamaMia wrote on Aug 6, 2008 9:43 AM:

" The biggest racist lie of all is that all Indians get monthly government checks simply because they are Indians. Not true. Never has been. If an Indian gets a monthly check it is for the same reason a non-Indian would get one, welfare, social security, social security disability and the like. The only regular "checks" some Indians get are called "per cap", and that is money given to each enrolled tribe member by their own tribe out of trust money paid to the tribe by the U. S. government for stealing their land. . . perhaps some of you may be familiar with the Pick-Sloan Project? Nuff said. "

casino wrote on Aug 6, 2008 8:56 AM:

" I am with you on that one can't you just stay away from it. I know alcohol is great and some of use like it but know when to stop or away from it. And when something bad happens they go to court and get many numerous slaps on the wrist. well maybe they need a strict court system to embedd it in peoples head that if you drink and want to act up and start neglecting then you have those serious consequences to face but there's nothing like that down there. There's child molesters, meth labs and child beatings but they never get punished for it. so no serious consequences of course there's gonna be trouble. "

Casino wrote on Aug 6, 2008 7:32 AM:

" Another One, you stated " Another white man is opening a bar on the rez causing misery and living off the misery of our people. Why do we allow this to happen. He's a white man who lives off the people. "

Just becaus anothe bar opens on the Rez, does that mean everyone has to go there and by alcohol? Can't people stay home and not give the 'white man' any business so he takes his establishment elsewhere? It's all about making good decisions. "

reader wrote on Aug 6, 2008 1:15 AM:

" i am glad that there is more patrol on the rez, my friend had a close friend die a tragic death by being beaten and dying from his wounds, from the stories i hear that the person that beat him for two bottles of beer was "methed out". is the crime so terrible that anyone watching out the windows as this was happening too afraid to call the cops? I just wonder if the police officers would do class visits in the schools and programs create an incentive to young people see themselves as heroes to their grandparents and aunts and uncles and parents to go into law enforcement. this would take care of their rez from the inside and not have to rely on other appreciated outside help. bless all the law enforcement officers on the "rock". "

To Former N Dakotian sp wrote on Aug 6, 2008 12:45 AM:

" "Our Native Americans are proud people that our gov. gives monthy checks and foodstamps and food. Why should they work. Dont get me wrong. They deserve ever penny they get. Because Our Natives didnt just lose their land -- they lost their Freedom."

Let's be careful there about spreading misinformation. The reason some of the people there get what you call "monthly checks" and food stamps is because they are poor, not because they are Indian or because of what was done to them in the past. And yes, we know a lot was, and they still have legitimate claims against the government, but that is not why some of them get assistance. They get it for the same reason non-Indian people off the reservation do: because they are poor and qualify for it. The impression given is that *everyone* there is on some kind of welfare, they are not. I hope the editor will let my comments be posted this time. "

BB wrote on Aug 5, 2008 11:36 PM:

" HELLO!! Well they have done it in Alaska read and you will learn something they did it so they would stop the violence in there communities and if you have not been down there maybe you should go, i have family down there that will not go out after 8:00 p.m for fear that something will happen to them, you also are scared to leave your house because you might come back to having nothing left, they are so used to being taken care of down there why should they get a job when they get there check every month, i will not go down there it scares me they know when you are a stranger you are watched from the windows and other vehicles. "

jobs are few wrote on Aug 5, 2008 11:28 PM:

" I AM FROM THE RESERVATION SOME SORT OF BEATING ALL THE TIME WE NEED POLICE ALL THE TIME . NOT TO STOP US FOR PETTY THINGS BUT LOOK AT THE REAL SERIOUS CRIMES I ASKED TO PUT MY FAMILY MEMBER IN FOR TREATMENT ONE OF THE OFFICERS RESPONDED NO FUNDS TO GET THEM IN A TREATMENT OUT OF HERE HOW SAD IS THERE A GRANT OF SOME SORT. I KNOW IT WILL AT LEAST HELP IN KEEPING THEM SOBER INSTEAD OF DYING. I AM THANKFUL FOR POLICE HELPING US ONE TIME SUICIDE GOT OUT OF CONTROL ONE AFTER ANOTHER EVEN ONE OF MY OWN FAMILY MEMBERS I WAS ASKING FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD. YEAH I KNOW THERE IS NOT ENOUGH JOBS OR NTHING FOR YOUTH TO DO WHEN THERE IS USUALLY VANDALIZED REAL FAST.BUT PEOPLE KEEP PRAYER AS I KNOW WE ARE GETTING ANSWERED. I HEAR THERE WAS JUST ANOTHER PERSON MURDERED HERE ON THE REZ THIS HAS TO STOP SO PLEASE SOME ONE HELP US TO GET FUNDING . "

Appreciate the surge wrote on Aug 5, 2008 11:27 PM:

" The communities on standing rock will need more time with the surge in order to get a handle on the drugs and the dealers here, you would be suprised who deals around here and they know who they are,, yea alcohol is a on going problem but when you have to deal with meth and the pill smashers as while then i sure hope those furious leaders do something to keep the surge going, like maybe donate thier travel funds toward helping with the protection and prevention system. yea we dont need the so called tribal to make negative comments until he can clean out his own closet.. he says his people "what" doesnt he mean "himself". thats all he's concerned about is his own gain.. thank you very much "BIA" for the helping hand by sending the "peacemakers" its great to see that our elderly and little children can get a good nights sleep and a friendly smile from the police officers.. thank you!! i pray you find a way to stay here and put those drug dealers and pill smashers away.. we dont need anymore corruption toward our children. these so-called gang members need to get a life as well and quit trying to corrupt our children as while.." Hang in there Peace Officers and keep up the good work" GOD'S BLESSINGS!!! "

former n dakotian wrote on Aug 5, 2008 10:56 PM:

" I Grew up in Solen. Some of my best friend in school lived on the res. One of my friends joined the army to get away. As the years passed i moved to another State, but on trips home we would sometimes both be back at the same time. One of those times he had just returned from veitnam with a Purple Heart. I ask my friend, why dont you get out?. He said "I cant stay here cause I'll just end up drunk all the time." Just like my Mom and Dad!!!! I have never forgotten that visit... It spoke volumes. Set up options for children and parents. This is not a new problem, its been going on for years and years. If you stop selling booze on the rez, they will find someone to buy it for them. Thats what happened in my day. They stode outside the bar and would hand a white person a $5.00. They would go in buy a Gallon of gold star wine for $3.00 and keep the change. You can lock up all the bad guys, but what happens when they get out of jail. What do they have to come home to? Jobs? What kind of jobs are available in Fort Yates? Our Native Americans are proud people that our gov. gives monthy checks and foodstamps and food. Why should they work. Dont get me wrong. They deserve ever penny they get. Because Our Natives didnt just lose their land -- they lost their Freedom. I could go on and on. But why, they just put a bandaid on the serface of the sore. But they need to fix what caused the sore. "

yogi wrote on Aug 5, 2008 10:42 PM:

" Its boarding schools fault. When our elders and parents were taken away, the boarding schools educated them in many things, but they forgot to show them what it means to be a family. There was no hugs, no special mother/father time, no I love yous. Then these children grew up, had kids of their own and are raising them how boarding schools raised them. The end result is Standing Rock. "

Another one wrote on Aug 5, 2008 9:16 PM:

" Another white man is opening a bar on the rez causing misery and living off the misery of our people. Why do we allow this to happen. He's a white man who lives off the people. "

Wheres the JTAC paybacks wrote on Aug 5, 2008 9:13 PM:

" All the people who owe money on their JTAC loans please pay the people back.
Previous council SEE what you have done by your greed. You did not use the money wisely so it has come back to haunt you. The old ones would agree. It is the responsibility of all elected officials to take care of their people. Try thinking outside of the box and come up with some creative solutions. What about the societies that used to police the camp??Stop looking to the white man. "

rezgirl wrote on Aug 5, 2008 7:16 PM:

" The reason I mention our Tribal Council as the authority we answer to is because that's the was it is on our reservation. The court system and personnel are just puppets that are afraid to do their job the right way because they might get fired. Yes, they can get fired by the Tribal Council because they are the ones who run the show around here. And, either it this article or the sister article that mentions our local police officers have no respect on our reservation.... how do they EXPECT that respect when they themselves have women who neglect their children, they themselves abuse their women, they themselves drink and drive, they themselves break the law. They think they are higher than the laws that they are supposed to be enforcing. But then again, on this reservation anyway, there is no law and order. And WHO do these officers answer to? How can the public expect an officer to arrest somebody for Domestic Abuse when he beats his own wife?! I always wondered how the Tribe overlooks the BIA??? I was once told it doesn't, but Ron McNeil said he pressured the BIA into getting this Operation Dakota Peacekeeper going because 'enough is enough!'. Well, HELLO Ron, this IS your reservation. It was like this when he was sworn into office and now all of the sudden he is appalled by what's happening to OUR people??!! Some things just don't make sense. Then again, election is coming up and I guess somebody has to take credit. Maybe with all this publicity, our SAVIORS (the 'SURGE"), might be able to arrest some people involved in these two violent murders that just happened on our beautiful reservation within a week. Get these criminals off of our streets and maybe I'll feel safe. "

D. CottonWood wrote on Aug 5, 2008 6:12 PM:

" I think its real nice of all the Peace officers from other reservations and what not to come to Standing Rock and help out. It's real nice of them. Our rez sure can use more of there help. We need it. "

Dan wrote on Aug 5, 2008 5:36 PM:

" These people need hope, and jobs and a future. Bringing in cops is like putting a band aid on a shotgun wound. Don't get me wrong. There has to be law and order, but what do you do after order is mantained? I am a native South Dakotan and have spent a great deal of time in N.D. The two states have never been serious obout bringing jobs to the Reservations. Not to mention that the average citizen will not even speak out on the Indians Lawful claim to the Black Hills. America was founded on Theft, not freedom. Maybe one day, a generation of Dakotans will truely want to treat the Indian nations with respect. Dan/Seattle "

PO wrote on Aug 5, 2008 3:58 PM:

" Lack of discipline in our society whether on a reservation or our society in general are the main reason for whats happening at Fort Yates and elsewhere. Where no one is ever guilty of anything and if you hold them accountable their self confidence will be hurt. Its a done deal folks the secular progressives have won and were gonna live like this for the rest of the days were on this planet. There's no shame anymore in whatever you choose to do. Best advice is learn to live with criminals because you'll shatter their self esteem if their called on the carpet and punished for any wrong doing, and ACLU will be right there to make sure of that. "

To HELLO wrote on Aug 5, 2008 3:46 PM:

" Yes it's true we cannot segregate but what we can do is start taxing the bars on the reservation and build a treatment facility or some sort of detention center. Isn't it funny how everyone talks about drug and alcohol problems here on standing rock but yet the council keeps on giving out liquor licenses??? Come on now....it isn't that hard to say NO....start worrying about your children and their future instead of your own reputations!! "

rezgirl wrote on Aug 5, 2008 3:42 PM:

" Attitude reflects leadership! They compared us to Iraq, what a slap in the face to our LEADERS! I always knew something like this would happen. Everybody runs for office, they PROMISE to take care of our children and our elderly, but when they get in office they only look out for their own. That's why there is no law and order on this reservation. Who are these 'outside' officers to come on to our reservation and think they are going to make a difference? We STILL have the SAME council members to answer to and when all is said and done it's our 'so-called' leaders that WE THE PEOPLE answer to. Our court system is a J-O-K-E!!!! When this 'surge' leaves our reservation and we are back down to our measely 5 underqualified officers it will be back to the same old reservation it was in May. What a waste of dollars! "

Dubbles wrote on Aug 5, 2008 3:38 PM:

" One thing I can see that would help is to have all the people on the reservations who care about the way things are going and care about the people is to organize them all into a volunteer reservation wide watch. Some citizens down there can pull a few shifts at night just patrolling and report serious incidents to the police. This should help give the message to the bad guys that people are watching them, etc ANd it should help cut down the crime rate. This would give the people down there some say in helping to curb the crime. Instead of letting the crime rates go back up again and blaming the police, the citizens should band together and help the law enforcement agencies down there. "

University of Kansas Jay Hawk wrote on Aug 5, 2008 3:19 PM:

" Thank you to America's Finest! They are there to protect and serve, being a police officer, especially on the reservation is a thankless job. As a former officer, I can relate to long shifts, low pay and working with little resources, etc.

I am from Standing Rock and served overseas during Desert Storm, I do not agree with the comparision in this story to the reservation life resembling third world country conditions, but I think it comes close.

I was one of the first Tribal Cops hired on Standing Rock and the program started out well, however, the grants ran out and noone ever remembered to write further grants. We need a new a larger law enforcement facility, we need more officers and definately more court personnel. Additional court personnel should have been brought in to deal with the surge of prisoners. In the end, it costs more money all the way around, money that we don't have and money that will never be appropriated again until maybe more people die in vain. All the countless unsolved murders, rapes and the like will never see justice. What about those who will never rest and the families that still grieve for the loved ones?

This action was necessary for many reasons, however there are downsides to the many arrests for bogus charges such as disorderly conduct, pedestrian on the roadway and the all famous criminal contempt charges. How many times can someone be whipped with the same charge continously. This new amendment that passed will sure be the last nail in the coffin for habitual criminal offenders. This tribal amendment should have been researched as to where they would put prisoners for the longer sentences that will be adjudicated in the future.

Instead of passing a budget with outrageous salaries for janitors, security guards and many, many unnecessary positions within the Tribal heirarchy, the money should be appropriated where it is needed the most. Remember Elections are right around the corner! "

John wrote on Aug 5, 2008 2:38 PM:

" Hey Louis~ Its high time that you grow up and stop retailating. Make a difference in your community by turning your life around. You should be doing things to try to help your people, thats is if you really care about your heritage? Breaking car windows and slashing tires, proves what??? Are trying to send me the message as to how idiotic and self centered you really are? Sorry but thats all I am getting out of it. There are plenty of programs that can help you get an education and a well paying job. So no excuses. "

FBerthold gurl wrote on Aug 5, 2008 2:31 PM:

" Way to go BIA, at least your reservation is getting some of the crime out. I am from Fort Berthold and the crime rate their has gone up since our tribe has taken over and got rid of our BIA cops, I wish we had our cops back, everyone there on our reservation has gone crazy. Way to go. Elmer fourdance you do a great job! "

Take Responsibility for Yourself wrote on Aug 5, 2008 2:21 PM:

" Why are reservation run differently then other communities? I think that is the #1 problem. Other problems are that no one wants to take responsibility. I only live about an hour off the res, our community does not have crime problems. I think that people need to, get a job, take responsibility. Haul the kids off the street at night and throw them in jail. Kids do not need to be wonder in the streets at night. Punish people who break the law. I think that the reservation government needs to realize they created this problem. Now take responsibility. "

Standing Rock Enrolled wrote on Aug 5, 2008 2:18 PM:

" Everyone keeps asking why all the issues. Look at the parents or the lack there of. Look at the Tribal Council or the lack there of. Look at the example set for the kids by the adults who continue to cry foul or the lack there of. The people of Standing Rock are their own problem and will always be until they one day wake up and realize the world owes them nothing. They owe themselves. (Yes it is that easy). I continually watch people given chance after chance and another hand up and another and another. They will never accept the fact that they are responsible for them selves, Ron McNeal is as responsible for the problems as anyone else who compains and does nothing. Casino money is not enough but perhaps if it was used properly it could make a large dent if used in wiser programs. I've seen great success so far in the surge and hope it continues. Maybe Ron and his council can see what alittle money used in the right way can do. You have to except some of the responsibility for the problems you yourselves have created. "

Louis wrote on Aug 5, 2008 2:12 PM:

" This "surge" is a joke! It isn't changing a thing. Yes, arrests have skyrocketed since it began, but the jail is too small to hold all the people and 90% of them are released the next day. All the criminals have to do is just wait for the extra officers to leave, then its business as usual. I should know im one of those people arrested! "

Rose wrote on Aug 5, 2008 2:06 PM:

" I AM THANKFUL FOR ALL THAT THE NEW POLICE OFFICERS ARE DOING. I HAVE HAD SLASHED TIRES AND BROKEN CAR WINDOWS. LATELY I'VE HAD A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP! THANKS. "

SR Resident wrote on Aug 5, 2008 1:48 PM:

" I would just like to say, all our trouble, began from the homes. parents do not discipline there child. they tend to stick up for them right or wrong. children learn by behavior. Our police officers are blamed for the youths crimes. the officers did not raise these children. The tribal court needs to be more strict in their punishment, people go to court and do get a slap on the hand and are let go.About our casinos, I read ib the minutes, our council is asking for money from the shakope casino. We have two casinos, where is the money going to? We need activities for our youth, we all have these large gymnasiums or most districts do, people can't use them. Children vandalize them. A good question is how are we to turn around this type of behavior? You can restrict the sale of alcohol on the rez, but look at how many other places to travel to get alcohol, there would be traffic accidents and more deaths. "

Good job.. wrote on Aug 5, 2008 12:09 PM:

" Good Job to the barrowed police officers..NOW keep them and send our Policemen out to other reservations, maybe they will get the respect the barrowed officers are getting with some of our children..and parents need to
show who is the parent!!! Stop defending the kids WHEN they are in the wrong..
most of our policemen never left their reservations...some are broken and use that not to leave!!!
its good to see you policemen out there, at least we will have some peace for a while. "

THE REALS wrote on Aug 5, 2008 12:03 PM:

" i live here in fort yates and with the surge of police officers it has been so nice...it has made quite a difference...its nice and peaceful...no drunks yelling all nite and kids walking around out of it on whatever...i always thought we should open our law enforcement to the state due the fact the our system down here needs a severe cleanup not just lack of lawenforcement but lack of correct punishment...for child neglect you can get is a slap on the hand and told ok heres your kids to mess up some more...kids sees what their parents do and thus begans the cycle...our courts adult and child are a joke...as well as our child protect program...thats probably why so many kids are messed up and thus once again the cycle for following in their parent/parents footsteps...we need help we just need our leaders to see this...they always say our children are the future well then ask for help by any means necessary "

HELLO wrote on Aug 5, 2008 11:27 AM:

" BB...you cant outlaw alcohol on the reservations and make it illegal like "cocaine" or something like that, this is america and we do not segregate,..what these people need is programs for jobs and counciling,...and less greedy people handling the huge casino profits,....PUT THAT MONEY BACK INTO YOUR COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE,...and give these people a reason to be proud.... "

observer wrote on Aug 5, 2008 10:47 AM:

" Ron HIs Horse Is Thunder blames the BIA for this? How many of his people have to die before someone does something for him, that is the question as it appears Ron is busy with other things. He is very eliquent when shooting down the Fighting Sioux name, but plays the blame game when a real, serious, lingering problem comes up. What if Standing Rock entered into a licensing agreement with UND and used the revenue to fund law enforcement? On my last visit to Prairie Knights I even saw an off-duty waitstaff person wearing a Fighting Sioux sweatshirt, the market is out there...take advantage of it. Help yourself, Ron, help your people!!! "

S.R. Gurl wrote on Aug 5, 2008 10:41 AM:

" Standing Rock should not be compared to Iraq. Only because the new officers pay attention to the kids here, they give them stickers, candy and occasionally juice boxes. That is something that the officers that are permanent here don't care to do. Before the surge, the police would patrol the community for less than an hour and be gone again. The only time I saw an officer talk to someone, other than arresting them, was if they were at a relatives or girlfriends home and like usual they were gone. Which is why there is trust now in the "Surge" officers. The officers that are permanent need to start building trust in the communities as well. It was nice to see the officers on foot patrol for the pow-wows. I also noticed our community is more peaceful, you don't hear teenagers OR adults yelling around, or walking around drunk. It is quiet. "

Casino wrote on Aug 5, 2008 10:36 AM:

" This isn't a good situation. But, aren't there 2 Casino's on the Standing Rock Reservation? What's happening to all the money they generate? Can't they use a little bit to pick themselves up and make things better? Maybe give some type of incentive to get off the couch and get a job? "

bigpoppakdog wrote on Aug 5, 2008 9:56 AM:

" Great work. Also, now the truth has been told. Help them fix it so they can see how it's done and the benefits it can have. "

Elle wrote on Aug 5, 2008 9:42 AM:

" I think that in addition to law enforcement there should be some types of support for adults who want help with addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. It would also be nice to see some funding going to activities for the children of the Standing Rock Reservation to potentially influence good behavior. "

Joan wrote on Aug 5, 2008 9:31 AM:

" A lot of the problems start with not having jobs. If the people had a job then they could pull them selves up. Have pride in the things that they have and do. With out a job what do they have to look forward to. They can't have nice homes they can't a lot of the time even buy groceries. Some times its easier to get drunk than to think about how your letting your family down. Its a vicious cycle.....Its very sad that the ones that make it in life do so because they managed to get a education and leave the res. Its a slow way for a entire culture to die. "

ndpony wrote on Aug 5, 2008 8:26 AM:

" I grew up there. Alot of my relatives are still there. I know what they are going through. I worry about the children, and those that are trying to stay away from trouble. I will alway be praying for my home. I wish the surge could help keep things from happening bad. There is good people stil there with the traditions and goals. Stay strong. "

Former resident wrote on Aug 5, 2008 8:18 AM:

" COOL! Keep up the good work :) "

BB wrote on Aug 5, 2008 7:29 AM:

" Why can't they do what they have in some Alaskan villages ban the use of alcohol and make it illegal just as illegal as cocaine or any other drug maybe that would be a good start. "

culture wrote on Aug 5, 2008 6:44 AM:

" interesting culture "

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