{"id":2525,"date":"2020-10-09T11:38:21","date_gmt":"2020-10-09T16:38:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/News\/?p=2525"},"modified":"2020-10-09T11:38:21","modified_gmt":"2020-10-09T16:38:21","slug":"ivan-star-comes-out-we-still-dont-know-how-to-govern-ourselves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2020\/10\/09\/ivan-star-comes-out-we-still-dont-know-how-to-govern-ourselves\/","title":{"rendered":"Ivan Star Comes Out: We still don’t know how to govern ourselves"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
The Johnson Holy Rock Building on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota is named for the late Johnson Holy Rock, a former president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Photo by James Pendleton \/ U.S. Department of Agriculture<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n
Elders say we are headed for a deep ravine<\/div>\r\n
Friday, October 9, 2020<\/div>\r\n
By Ivan Star Comes Out<\/DIV>\r\n
Native Sun News Today Columnist<\/DIV>\r\n
nativesunnews.today<\/A> <\/DIV>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nFor the 42nd time, elections are here again<\/a>. Local candidates are vying for several seats on the \u201cTribal\u201d Council, the \u201ctribal\u201d executive committee, and some district government positions. \r\n

<\/p>\r\nAs voters and candidates, we must realize that we have been casting votes for more than 8 decades with very little improvement. I have to guess that most are pushing to make our reservation a better place to live.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nSadly, a few of our candidates want to get in to seek revenge or to put their relatives to work. Older \u201ccareer\u201d politicians want to get back in for another two years of financial bliss and limitless travel. Most are simply eager to win a position so they can enjoy the power and prestige that comes with it. Not to beat down anyone, most are unaware of the history of this government system. Most have never ever governed people.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nOne of our current representatives actually \u201cdisappeared\u201d for about 18-months and then made an appearance in time to vie for another 2-year term. Our other representative was abruptly subjected to personal innuendos and then publicly chastised. Meanwhile, our existing needs at the district level remain unchanged.\r\n

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Ivan F. \r\nStar Comes Out. Photo courtesy Native Sun News \r\nToday<\/A><\/FIGCAPTION> <\/DIV><\/DIV>

<\/p>\r\nThere are certain needs and conditions in our district that are repeatedly passed over. It\u2019s time we, as voters, get involved by proactively participating in district and community level government planning and assisting our elected officials. We have to use the power of the vote and take part in this government. We must look at our situation in a practical sense because this system is all we have to work with.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nFor example, we have a 50-unit HUD housing site in Oglala that has been in shambles since it was constructed in the mid-1970s. It is too easy to push it off on the housing program and that is what has been happening. \r\n

<\/p>\r\nI suggest working with the program to install paved streets, lighting, landscaping, etc. If residents want a beautiful place to live, isn\u2019t it better to take a proactive stance and work of it?\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe trailer court (Belt Village) has been an eyesore for many years but it is finally looking up. The unchecked weed growth could very well be indicative of a defeatist attitude toward life. I am reminded of the unknown author of this quote, \u201cYour mind is your garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers or you can grow weeds.\u201d I know the majority is very capable of growing flowers.\r\n

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