Ivan F. Star Comes Out
Federal government never had the best interests of Natives at heart
By Ivan F. Star Comes Out This is a follow up to my previous rant regarding the poverty on the Pine Ridge. I used the odd phrase “culturally appropriate commerce” and was feeling compelled to clarify it. As individuals we take part in trading or buying and selling to meet our basic needs such as food and clothing. This is a basic definition of commerce or trade. Our own “primitive” ancestors had developed a frugal, environment-friendly commerce to meet their demands. They learned from nature like the Pte Oyate (buffalo nation) and that was to take only what was needed and no more. Modern research has “discovered” that the buffalo eat only the top portion of the grass stalk allowing it to grow again. In contrast, the European cattle ate almost the entire plant thus destroying it and disrupting the natural ecosystem. The word “economy” originated from the ancient Greeks and refers to household management. That meaning prevailed throughout the early stages of this country’s development and worked well for obtaining food and shelter for the settlers. Of course, it involved careful management of available resources and oftentimes relied on the natives for that. It meant the newcomers had to use whatever they had wisely if they wanted to survive what they termed the “harsh climate” (frigid winters and scorching summers). If they did not, they faced hardship, famine and even death. Our ancestors had adapted well to their environment and developed a method involving wise management of available resources. Although they did not use money like we do today, they were able to use the buffalo to obtain food and clothing and made tools and homes that were well adapted to the climate. Under this system, social problems were kept to a minimum. That ancient system our ancestors implemented allowed for a harmonious existence with nature which further allowed for the development of spiritual laws. In other words, our ancestors did not have a need for jails. They had a police system that dealt harshly with those who went astray of their natural and spiritual laws. Everyone was perceived and treated equally. Poverty did not exist as they took care of each other. Homelessness was unheard of as well as castes or classes of people like the rich and the poor of today. Somewhere along our historical timeline, the unnatural industrial world took a giant leap and household management transformed to resource management. Railroads disrupted the ancient Traditional Economy as the European nearly obliterated the buffalo for their own profit. As European populations increased, the demand increased to the point where it became disruptive to nature. Even the land upon which our ancestors have lived and thrived harmoniously for centuries was taken (illegally in most cases) and the people were moved onto the most undesirable acreages. Later, it was found that some of these reservations contained gold, oil, zeolite and other minerals. Now we find ourselves struggling to stop this encroachment onto our remaining ancestral lands. Consequently, we as survivors, endure on the Pine Ridge under what is called a Command Economy. This means the government makes all the decisions. Orders come from the top and are carried out by local government officials. Those orders are passed on to supervisors or managers at a lower local level. Another aspect of such a system is that private land ownership is disallowed and therefore does not exist. It is interesting that Russia gets all the attention for this type of government yet we here on the Pine Ridge endure the same thing. Basically, directives come from the top-heavy bureaucracy to the local agencies and no one questions them. In some instances, we are not allowed to question them. For example, during WWII, the United States became a command economy. Some of us may recall our parents and grandparents talk of rationing. Government took control of production and distribution of all goods. Major auto-makers were ordered to contribute to the war effort while farmers were told what and how much to grow. The government released its control when the war ended. Anyway, when I say we need an economy that is culturally appropriate, I am basically referring to activity that is not disruptive to the natural environment. For example, mining for Zeolite and drilling for oil are disruptive. Growing and selling food, even if it is for personal profit, is not destructive as long as it is controlled so that it does not interrupt the environment and harm people. Today, I see at least one small convenience store thriving in each district. These businesses cater to the wants and desires of local consumers. All of them sell petroleum products, lots of snack food, and fried fast foods. This is called a Market Economy or a free enterprise system. Unfortunately, these businesses rely on limited welfare payments. Those on payroll spend their money elsewhere. Then I see an influx of individual tribal members selling prepared food from mobile facilities, like “popovers” and “Indian tacos.” Some do it on a seasonal basis (powwows) while others do it on a year-round basis. These people are called entrepreneurs. An even smaller number have gotten into the franchised fast food business like Pizza Hut, Taco Johns, and Subway. Now I see a movie theater and the first concept that comes to mind is that such a business is not founded on meeting basic needs but rather provides leisure time for people to relax and to enjoy each other. This leads me to think that our poverty is not as bad as I see it. If this particular movie house expands, then I would take it as a definite indicator of economic improvement. Meanwhile, the Pine Ridge is still in need of regular demographic polls or surveys to keep up on our economy. If we are to improve our joblessness, then we need solid data. I have often thought about why the federal government does not support nor fund such activity. I believe demographics are vital, if not the key, to genuine economic development. I believe the Interior Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and including the Indian Reorganization Act (excluding most of our elected leaders), do not have the “best interest of the Indians” at heart. The industrial federal mindset was always focused on the development of these entities and the only interest is in what little we have left of our treaty land and of course the minerals beneath the surface. As we all know, there is an abundance of zeolite and possibly oil here and that is what the industrial mind is interested in. Anyway, I am only one person and I am doing the only thing I can do; putting my thoughts on paper and letting the wind do whatever it wants with it. (Ivan F. Star Comes Out, POB 147, Oglala, SD 57764, (605) 867-2448, mato_nasula2@outlook.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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