What is really being done to aid the Native Americans - all I hear about is the monies going overseas?

Question

The reservations are on, for the most part, unwanted lands that were forced on the people. They surrer from diseases and alcoholism. Why can't the "stars" and the Bill Gates of this world send their aid to the first people of this country instead of overseas. They need schools, hospitals, homes and a way to make a comfortable living. How about helping America first.

Answer 1

I agree that too much aid is being sent overseas, BUT!

You should be asking where are all the BILLIONS of dollars made on the "American Indian owned CASINOS" going?

Please I don't mean to make anyone mad and I completely agree we need to help our own people in this country first. But don't forget to look at the few Indian people in scoffer driven limos before blaming everyone else.

Answer 2

I agree but to answer your question, there are 4 colleges in the US that are free to Native Americans and open only to them. As a Native American you may go to any public school and many private schools for free so long as you meet basic, usually the minimal academic standards for acceptance. There is free health care, clinics, traveling nurses and doctors which visit reservations regularly for immunizations and check-ups. Services are rather basic but for anyone on welfare medications and hospital services are free anyway. Native Americans recieve the same welfare as everybody else in terms of welfare checks, food subsidies etc. Native Americans have several rights that other citizens don't have in order to help them economically. For example a Native American may use the business property of another person to sell their crafts within 20 miles of a reservation, wether the business owner like it or not and they may establish any type of business on reservation land, even if it does not comply with state regulations. The government provides large grants and subsidies for these business which, for the most part, do not have to be repaid. The governemt also provides large subsidies for housing but it must be requested. The problem is not that people are unwilling to help Native Americans. The main problem is that Native Americans are very proud people and not inclined to accept help. They would rather do it their own way. I can respect that. So while I agree with you in spirit, I must say that unless you are a Native American it is simply not our place to say what should be done for them.

I have personally volunteered as a medical person to work on reservations. I will go whenever asked. I enjoy the experience but you must be very careful. If you have some "look at the poor Native American" attitude I do believe they would kick your butt.

Answer 3

Have you ever been on a reservation? I've been on a couple and the land was beautiful.
Some have casinos that they own. Think of the money going through their hands. I'm sure it is hard to break from alcoholism when that's the only thing you've seen. If those around you drop out of school and drink, smoke, what do you think your life will be?

Answer 4

In reality, American Indians (actually Asians, by descent) have it no worse than a lot of people in the US, and much better than most of the rest of the world. They have the same, or better opportunities that anyone else in America has, and alcoholism is, to some extent, a choice. Let's not be so quick to put people on welfare. In the long run, it is the worst thing you can do for most of them.

Answer 5

While there are poor native Americans just as there are poor whites, blacks, and Hispanics, much of the native American population is doing quite well, thankyouverymuch.

They own the majority of the casinos in CA and several other states, and one of the biggest native American gambling meccas is Cabazon--about a 1/2 hour drive from where I live.

So not all native Americans are hurting. I think it would be better for us to focus on the poor and disenfranchised--regardless of race.

Answer 6

The spoils of war never go to the vanquished. Aid largely enslaves and if it were to be administered by a government bureaucracy it would be wasted on administrators. Sloganising is a poor substitute for a cause and effect analysis and conclusion w. recommendations report.

Answer 7

The Indians are doing fine these days. They are using their lands to build casinos all over. The only problem is that 72% are alcoholics.

Answer 8

ALTHOUGH YOU DO POSE A VERY GOOD POINT, YOU MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO LABEL "NATIVE AMERICANS", ESPECIALLY WITH ALCOHOLISM, THIS IS THE MOST MISCONSTRUED LIE OF THEM ALL.

BECAUSE THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ARE OF SMALLER NUMBERS, AND ARE CONFINED TO "RESERVATIONS" WE ARE MORE SIMPLY LOOKED AT THROUGH A MICROSCOPE.

AND THERE ARE THE OCCASIONAL GRUMPY LAZY BIGOTS WHO WILL TRY TO SPREAD HATRED TOWARDS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES BY STEREOTYPING US...BUT I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS WILL NEVER CHANGE, SO I DEAL WITH IT...

I HAD JUST RECENTLY READ THAT THE US IS IN HORRIBLE DEBT, WORST CASE OF DEBT BY ANY COUNTRY...YET THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO SPEND MONEY ON WARFARE AND COUNTRIES THAT WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO RETURN THE FAVOR TO THE U.S....

TURTLE ISLAND NEEDS SOME LOVE...U.S. - GET ON IT!!!!!

Answer 9

To anyone interested.

Go visit an Indian reservation.

Go, and break your heart!

Go visit Dakotas Black Hills.

Go to the statue in progress, Chief Crazy Horse. Don't forget why and where his right hand is pointing,
when asked, "Where are your people?"
His arm and hand are pointing to a graveyard.

The entire Mt. Rushmore, "the whole thing", would fit into
"one nostril" of his horse.

Answer 10

Agree.

But I fear most of the money going overseas from America is to bolster war situations with an ulterior motive to police the world or secure oil.