Our Children Are Dying

Lakota Spiritual Leader and Head Man, David Swallow,
Speaks Out on Reservation Crisis

www.silvrdrach.homestead.com/Schwartz_2008_Jul_08.html

by David Swallow, Lakota Spiritual Leader and a Headman of the Lakota Nation

Edited and Published by Stephanie M. Schwartz,
Member, Native American Journalists Association (NAJA)
Text and Photo © July 09, 2008  Porcupine, South Dakota

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Our children are dying.  Our children are killing themselves in record
numbers on our Lakota Reservations.  They are filled with despair,
confusion, and hopelessness and they see suicide as the only answer.

Many studies point to the hopelessness as being a result of generations of
genocide committed by the historical policies of the Federal Government
against the American Indians.  But the policies of today are just as
damaging.  These policies create a system of "assimilate or die", just
another form of genocide.

I am not racist.  This is not about hatred or racism.  There are many good
non-Lakota.  But the damage from the Government and the mainstream culture
and its almighty dollar is killing the children of the Lakota, Dakota, and
Nakota Nations.  To look for solutions from the mainstream culture will only
bring about more confusion, more genocide, and more destruction of our
culture and our people.

Yes, our children need help.  Then, they also need jobs.  They need work.
They need to have hope that they can survive.  They need to be treated like
real citizens, free to be who they are.

The current programs are not working.  Our Reservations are dry but 60-70%
of our people are still affected by alcoholism and drug addictions.  There
are a few non-profit organizations that do good work on our reservations.
They really do try to help.  But there are also many, many groups who only
make money in our name.  We're a commodity to them, a way to get more and
more money for themselves, while our children are suffering.  It's the same
with some of the Tribal Council and Government programs.  The money never
reaches the people, it never really helps anyone.

Our children are living in a world of confusion and chaos.  We need all the
help we can get from our own people within our own culture.  Gangs and cults
and programs that are ignorant of the Lakota culture are not the answer.
The Lakota child knows they are Lakota but these other things only work to
destroy that identity.  They brainwash our children into trying to
assimilate rather than respecting and understanding themselves.  They
contaminate our children with false mainstream ideas and values which then
only creates more desperation.

We could cure our own.  We need to cure our own.

In my grandfather's time, suicide was unknown.  But today, it is everywhere.
Our children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews are crying for our help.
They are dying without our help.

Traditional spirituality could make the difference.  But the civilized world
and Christianity have tied our hands.  Our medicine men, our medicine women,
and our spiritual leaders have no standing.  We are not even consulted.

Yet, Traditional spirituality could make the real difference.

Traditional sweatlodge ceremonies could help purify the mind of these
children who have been so wounded by society.  It can wake up the spirit
that is inside the person.  It can bring healing of the mind, body, and
spirit and it could help heal the entire family.  But it needs to be the
real thing, led by a legitimate traditional spiritual leader, and not just
some sauna with a few nice words.

Learning to prepare foods in the traditional way could help them, too.  It
is important they understand that food prepared in a good way nourishes the
family in a good way.  They need to know that food prepared with anger and
hatred only brings sickness with it.

There are many of the Traditional Ways which would work to bring about
healing and hope for these children.  It can restore their identity and
become a way of life.  It can teach them how to live a good life, in a good
way.  It can give them direction and understanding.

But we need to stop fighting among ourselves.  We need to stop looking to
the mainstream society for solutions.  We need to stop looking to outsiders
for cures.  We need to look to the Ways of our ancestors to guide us.  We,
the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota People need to help our own grandchildren.

I am not asking for money.  I am not asking for anything from the Government
or the BIA except that we be set free.  Set us free.  Don't try to force us
to live in the mainstream ways.  Don't try to force us to assimilate.  Let
us live in our own Ways and heal ourselves and our children and
grandchildren.

Ho he’cetu yelo.  I have spoken these words.

David Swallow, Wowitan Yuha Mani
Porcupine, South Dakota - The Pine Ridge Reservation

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archival purposes.

Stephanie M. Schwartz may be reached at E-mail
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www.SilvrDrach.homestead.com

~ Stephanie M. Schwartz ~

Freelance Writer and Editor www.SilvrDrach.homestead.com
Member, Native American Journalists Association (NAJA)
Volunteer, Link Center Foundation www.linkcenterfoundation.org