Native Americans Battle Suicide, Poverty

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Six paragraphs down, beside the photograph of a chubby-cheeked, smiling boy, came this sentence: "He spent his time juggling life between his family and his son."

A father at 15. Dead three months later. Shot with eight others by an alienated, despondent upperclassman who, at the end of his 10-minute walk through Red Lake High School, turned one of his guns on himself.

The deaths, conspicuous in their senselessness, highlight the problems that Native American teenagers have been quietly suffering in greater numbers than most adolescents: suicide, violence, depression and pregnancy.

By themselves, the numbers for the Red Lake Indian Reservation are staggering. A state survey conducted last year of 56 ninth-graders showed that 81 percent of the girls, and 43 percent of the boys, had considered suicide.

Nearly half the girls said they'd actually tried to kill themselves. Twenty percent of boys said the same -- numbers about triple the rate statewide.......MORE........

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-school-shooting-despairing-teens,0,1587119.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

thanks rose. Important post. Keep those posts coming. You do great work.
Glad you're here at DU.

You had a good post on the homeless, too.

I really appreciate your kind words. :hi:

on Discovery Times channel about the treatment of the various Indian nations by the American government during the latter part of the 1800s. After the way these proud people have been treated by our government, it's no wonder they are depressed and suicidal. How is the way the American government treated the Indians any different from the way the German government treated the Jews? Genocide is genocide, no matter where it's committed. Our government has so much to be ashamed of.

The problems Native Americans face today can't be blamed on the atrocities of a century ago. There appears to be a genetic predisposition amongst a very sizable minority of Native Americans towards alcoholism. Couple that with the geographic isolation and insular society of Indian reservations, and you've got a formula for broken families, violence, drugs, mental illness.

Native Americans who leave the reservation with some sort of solid support structure, like a stable family and connections, do a million times better than the rest who remain.

...but the reservation system and the stripping of the Native American culture were definitely policies of the American government that started this whole demoralizing cycle. I just think it's sad, but maybe inevitable, that in order for the Indians to survive they had to become "Americanized." And wasn't alcohol introduced to the Indians by the Americans, as well?

it's called hopelessness and it's the easiest thing to do to kill the pain ...

The tribe I work for was "treatied" a mere 137 years ago. That is not so long ago. The damage done has never been healed. Most of the Native Americans I know do not drink. Get over the damn stereotypes and go see poverty in it's face yourself.

The disease of addiction is related to BOTH environmental and hereditary factors. Native Americans ARE more vulnerable, based on heredity, to addiction, diabetes, and hypertension-- all of which have both hereditary and environmental components.

If it is easier, think of it this way: Heredity loads the gun, environment pulls the trigger. Think "Russian Roulette." Almost everyone is playing with at least one round chambered (there are only a very few genetically-related population groups that appear to have NO genetic vulnerability factors for addiction.)

But the number of "empty chambers" vs. "full chambers" says a lot about how likely you are to end up with full-blown addictive disease based on the drinking/drug use behaviors that result from environmental factors.

Generally, the Native American population is playing with fewer "empty chambers" than the Anglo population. That is, of any two individuals (one Anglo, one NA,) who engage in *precisely similar* drinking/drug use patterns, the NA is far more likely to tip over into full-blown addictive disease process.

Now, add in the truly outrageous environmental stresses (the hopelessness, unemployment, alienation, acculturation, etc.) that do, indeed, contribute to drinking/drug use patterns. Result: Deadly.

Same is true of the nutritional elements of bahavior and the genetic predispositions for diabetes and hypertension. The pre-contact diet of most Native American populations was high-protien, moderate (and complex) carbohydrates, and very modest fat intake from sources high in "good" cholesterol.) They have had very few generations for their physiology to adapt to the post-contact diet which is not really good for anyone, but even worse for them.

While the discussion about this tragedy has touched on many of the common elements experienced by First Peoples under the occupation, there has not been (in my opinion) enough recognition of the diversity among the various communities, and particular the communities in the north central plains region. "Indian Country" in the upper midwest has changed greatly in the last twenty years. Some communities have made considerable economic strides and are making increasingly successful attempts to reclaim cultural heritage and make it a positive factor in community development and stability. Casino revenues have helped to some extent, as have other economic and geographic factors.

Red Lake is NOT one of those communities. The Red Lake Band amd its territory (which is not really a "reservation" in the typical sense, as it was never ceded by the band, and is covered by various statutes only in the aggregate,) is among the poorest and least-developed Native American communities in the upper midwest. It is truly closer to an undeveloped, poverty-stricken third world country than most other NA communities.

It is also more isolated than many, or even most, NA communities, even from other NA communities. There is very little acceptance of any of the kind of economic and social development assistance that other communities have permitted and used. Perhaps this tragedy will help the Red Lake band re-examine the directions of their community and identify ways that they can connect positively with other Ojibway communities and even with the larger Native American meta-community.

The frustrating thing in all of this is that there is no way to induce or even force "help" upon communities like Red Lake, without making the problem worse to some extent. The only thing outsiders can do is stand ready to provide appropriate help when asked-- and if the "ask" doesn't come, zip it up and try to refrain from making assumptions, criticisms, and uninformed conclusions about the hows and whys of tragedies like this.

These are problems that cannot be "solved" except by the Native American communities themselves, and the "right" solutions for each community will be different, based on that community. Trial and error is part of the process. The best thing outsiders can do is stand back and let them get on with it, stop making ignorant generalizations, and keep kicking the US Government to meet ALL of its treaty obligations, clean up corruption at the Bureau, and let the Native American communities be a greater part of the decision-making and operations processes.

My ancestors (mostly European in derivation) came to America quite recently-- BUT, they would not have been able to settle in the America they settled in, had Europeans not perpetrated the theft, fraud, and genocide needed to establish this nation. I benefit by that theft, fraud, and genocide to that extent, so it is my responsibility to do all I can to pay that debt. I wish there were more I could do, but for now, trying to be informed, and advocating that my government honor its obligations is about the best I can manage.

regretfully,
Bright

Addiction is a cultural phenomona and no system of existence experiences it quite like industrial/capital culture. Addiction is a symptom.

No group is more or less predisposed to anything when living within the watersheds and cultural range of experiences (food being the highest of those sacred experiences) within which their bological patterns have been arranged. On the Rio Grande in New Mexico lived a group of Amerinds who had soaring rates of diabetes. One thing was changed and those rates went to virtually nil- Their diet. They returned to their original foods with a particular red bean as the centerpiece both physically and culturally.

...including Native American scientists and medical researchers, disagree with you:

NIH, on the basic mechanisms and sources of addiction:

http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih2/addiction/guide/lesson4-1.htm

Alcohol Health and Research World on the etiology of addiction in Native American populations:
http://www.adjunctcollege.com/americanindiansandalcohol2.html

The Dakota/Lakota/Nakota Human Rights Advocacy Coalition on the interpretation of IHS health statistics in relation to addiction among Native Americans:
http://www.dlncoalition.org/related_issues/killing_us_slowly.htm

patiently,
Bright

colonialism? Did they take into account the disappearance due to annihilation of their language? Did those studies get to the root of the problem? All these scientific "studies" are laden with their own cultural accretions. Saying anyone is predisposed to anything based on genetics is short sighted at best. Did those studies take into account capitalism? Did those studies take into account marginalization? Did those studies take into account humiliation? did those studies take into account candies and liquor? Did those studies take into account the fact that 'assimilation" meant be a happy slave and a quiet "injun"?

Those studies slop outside the realities of everyday life.

...where I related precisely those factors you mention to the elevated rates of addiction among First Peoples?

The deadly confluence of THOSE FACTORS, plus the purely physical genetic factors, is the killing legacy of the occupation of the Americas by European colonists. European colonists did two forms of damage in relation to the genocide and occupation:

First, the ACTIVE theft, displacement, genocide, etc.;

Second, the PASSIVE, but no less deadly, introduction of disease factors and triggers (including both disease organisms and the dietary factors that preyed on the vulnerabilities of the Native American populations.)

Even worse, once the Europeans noticed the purely physical effects of disease on the First Peoples, they deliberately set out to disseminate and exacerbate the effects of those factors by wholesale distribution of alcohol, disease-infected clothing and blankets, etc.

The studies referred to dealt purely with the biological science, the various genetic markers, alleles, and physical factors that relate to the incidence and patterns of addiction in various populations. Please do not confuse neutral, factual, biological observation and documentation with the kind of vicious pseudo-scientific eugenic warfare that has, indeed, been repeatedly practiced upon Native Americans and other non-western-European populations.

Native American biologists and physicians are among those working most intensively to raise awareness and identify ways to deal with this particular issue among their own communities. Denying the very real, documentable, verifiable, repeatable scientific phenomena associated with this problem will not help in overcoming it, any more than denying the social, economic, and cultural resources required to address the problem.

patiently,
Bright

...for anyone who does not share the cultural experience of First Peoples to "walk a mile in their shoes," any more than it would be possible for a white person of ordinary European American heritage to "walk a mile in the shoes" of an African American whose forbears experienced slavery.

The best we can hope for is to listen, refrain from making crude generalizations and unfounded assumptions, and respect the experiences and viewpoints of others whose background we do not share and cannot truly understand. We can let them define their own reality, history, and experience, and accept and respect their definitions, rather than imposing our own definitions upon them.

I learned a great deal when I was very active in a Minnesota group that was trying to re-frame, educate, and communicate the significance of the 500th anniversary of Columbus' arrival in this hemisphere, but I would not presume to say that I can truly partake of the Native American view of that event. The best I can manage is an intellectual appreciation based on what members of the Native American community are willing to share.

humbly,
Bright

my gpa was higly prosperous a century ago, and our family 's benefit ... all college educated.. continues to this day.

Had gpa been dirt poor, the effects would have continued as well,

just negative effects.

Likely no college fo rmy parents, and then a struggle for me to pay for college. Some cant do the thing of a job and college at once to pay for it. Effects do roll down the centuries.

they-- and their descendants often lose touch with the Native traditions.

I know nothing of my great-grandmother's culture other than what I've read in books, and that's a great loss as far as I'm concerned.

also MAY have difficulty properly assimilating alcohol. Therefore "the high" is more addictive based on *suggested* initial genetic findings. This is NOT meant to disrespect their race or heritage, and findings are FAR from conclusive.

I've worked with some beautiful and brilliant people who suffer from alcohol addiction.

For those good folks, recovery is a lifelong process. Relapses occur but there's always hope for return to abstinence and working your personal recovery program. It's a difficult road and those who succeed use *far more* than sheer willpower to find their way.

Why do you think * looks so vicious and cruel at times? I submit that he wants a drink more than anything in this world. This is what's termed a "dry drunk" and * has all the symptoms, i.e., mood swings, intolerance for complexity, simplicity in thought, etc.

If a person who's alcohol addicted does NOT unfailingly and constantly strive to correct their past wrongs and deepen their compassion for others through spirituality (often thru the 12 Step Program), then that's what you get, i.e., a NASTY and mean spirited personality that often emerges as one "guts it out" to merely quit drinking.

Yes, the person stays PHYSICALLY sober. However, EMOTIONALLY he's on a "dry drunk." As a Country, we are paying a precious and high price for * not properly choosing to recover from alcohol addiction. Yep, us lucky-ducky Americans! We get to ride both the Neo-Cons delusion induced Empire Building "drop zone" AND *'s dry drunk "roller coaster" terror threat alerts.

I pray for not only LIBERTY and JUSTICE, but also SANITY for all of humanity.

Where are getting this bullshit from? I am 100 percent Indian I do not drink, my parents do not drink and neither did my grandparents. We live on the Navajo reservation, Our land is beautiful, our lives are filled with happiness and spirituality, We still practice our traditional ways, speak our language and teach these sacred ways to our children. Although there is alcoholism,drug use etc, it doesn't seem to be much more than what is in the big cities and suburbs. I find it offensive that you seem to think that we are predetermined to be a bunch of drunks. We have not left the reservation and are doing just fine. Thank you

how First Nations continue to be 'second class citizens' in their treatment and the statistics on suicide and poverty mirror those in the article.

It is very much our country's ongoing shame, imo.

The state of affairs at Red Lake is in need of attention. Perhaps if nothing else comes of this tragedy, people will be forced to look at the big picture.

they have in the past and no one took notice.

We have the same record of shame here in Canada when it comes to First Nations. One example of this is the devastation of the Innu of Davis Inlet. Here is a PDF report for those interested:

http://www.brandonu.ca/Library/CJNS/15.2/press.pdf

I'm working on a project to get funding for a mental health professional to assist the NA youth locally ...

The tragedy is this country's indigenous people have such limited resources ...something is wrong with the system and the Bush administration is seeking to dry them up in funding. Like that will make a difference for what has been done ....

from a college course years ago. For all reservations lumped .

I couldnt believe it at the time.

Anyone have current stat on that?

correct that, and the alcohol will go away. Suicide too. And school shootings, most likely.
But they must be jobs that pay a "living wage" not below-poverty-line minimum wage.

BTW, mexico today is also "over half".

see my sig for JFA jobs for all.

has less than $10,000. a year coming into their homes ...Bush could not even imagine it....

Zitkala-Sa. "Why I Am a Pagan."
Atlantic Monthly 90 (1902): 801-803.

   WHEN the spirit swells my breast I love to roam leisurely among the green hills; or sometimes, sitting on the brink of the murmuring Missouri, I marvel at the great blue overhead. With half closed eyes I watch the huge cloud shadows in their noiseless play upon the high bluffs opposite me, while into my ear ripple the sweet, soft cadences of the river's song. Folded hands lie in my lap, for the time forgot. My heart and I lie small upon the earth like a grain of throbbing sand. Drifting clouds and tinkling waters, together with the warmth of a genial summer day, bespeak with eloquence the loving Mystery round about us. During the idle while I sat upon the sunny river brink, I grew somewhat, though my response be not so clearly manifest as in the green grass fringing the edge of the high bluff back of me.

   At length retracing the uncertain footpath scaling the precipitous embankment, I seek the level lands where grow the wild prairie flowers. And they, the lovely little folk, soothe my soul with their perfumed breath.

   Their quaint round faces of varied hue convince the heart which leaps with glad surprise that they, too, are living symbols of omnipotent thought. With a child's eager eye I drink in the myriad star shapes wrought in luxuriant color upon the green. Beautiful is the spiritual essence they embody.

http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=ZitPaga.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public?=1&division=div1

is the highest in the nation I believe. Alchoholism is also pervasive. Very sad indeed.

help those who are poor and/or disenfranchised people. I grew up in South Dakota during the 60s and early 70s. In the small town of 800 people, I we had NO African Americans nor Hispanic races. Only derivatives (Heinz 57) of Europeans (mostly So. Germany) and the Native Indian Sioux.

I want to cry every time I think about how the Sioux (Lakota specifically) Indians have been treated in South Dakota. It's criminal but nobody pays the price. Damn I'm ashamed of what we (European Americans) did to the TRUE Natives. :cry:



http://www.dlncoalition.org/home.htm