Clara Caufield. Photo from Native News Project / University of Montana School of Journalism
That dreadful week before the ‘1st’
How can this happen in America?
By Clara Caufield
A Cheyenne Voice This column is scribbled a few days before the “1st” of the next month – a tough time for many Northern Cheyenne on the Reservation, those living on similar reservations, and even other Americans on fixed incomes. These unfortunate ones must “stretch” limited resources from federal assistance checks, normally paid on the “1st." Perhaps those on Reservations are more keenly aware of this plight, because we are so closely connected through the extended family system. When elderly relatives, grandchildren and friends are hungry, facing probable electrical and telephone turnoffs just before the “1st,” we cannot ignore those who are “right in our face.” That is when we are compelled to share meager resources. Some readers, in more affluent circumstances might wonder why the “1st” is so significant. But, poverty stricken folks, especially the elderly, young single mothers and the handicapped require no explanation. While some tribes are now very affluent, providing very well for their tribal members in large part due to gaming revenues, here in Northern Cheyenne country (as on many sister reservations throughout the Great Plains) unemployment and corresponding poverty rates run from of 60-80 percent, the mean average calculated at 72 percent by the U.S. Government and our own tribal Economic Development staff.
Read the rest of the story on the all new Native Sun News website: That dreadful week before the ‘1st’ (Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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