Uncovering America
By James Gore
ENTRY #1 – The Confederated Tribes of Colville Reservation
Growing up in the United States, we learn about Native American history only within the context of history itself. We learn about past injustices, including past massacres, past broken promises, and past relocations.
Outside of school, the only glimpse offered of Native American life is through Hollywood and Casinos, neither of which cast any clarity on the lives of the original Americans still living in present-day America.
This myopic view shows that past generations achieved their goal of keeping the original North American’s away from America’s sight and trapped on out-of-sight-out-of-mind reservations. Reservations just like the one I recently visited.
The Colville Reservation lies in North-Eastern Washington, in between Spokane and the Canadian Border. During the week of October 18th, I had the fortune to get out of Washington, DC and into the countryside of a far different Washington.
A month before while at a conference in St. Louis, Missouri, Dick Gooby, the Executive Director of the Indian Nations Conservation Alliance (INCA) asked me to come out to see the Colville Reservation and meet with the Tribal Leadership. In addition to my position with the Department of Agriculture, my background in the Vineyard industry was of interest to INCA and the Colville Leadership.
I was told that this particular reservation, like many others around the United States, faced extreme levels of poverty and strife. The description I was given shocked me:
· Sixty percent unemployment;
· Ninety percent of the tribal income gone with the closing of two lumber mills in the past year;
· Dangerously high levels of diabetes, teen pregnancy and gang violence;
· Dangerously low levels of high school graduates, personal initiative, and hope.
After getting picked up at the Spokane Airport, Dick Gooby and I began the drive towards the small town of Grand Coulee and the Colville Reservation. The two plus hour drive through wheat fields and small rural towns afforded me the opportunity to speak frankly with Dick about the Reservation and our upcoming meetings.
Living in Washington, DC – in the land of know-it-alls – I have become a firm believer that the only way to learn is to first be open about your ignorance. I started by telling my host that I had never been to a reservation, didn’t have any experience with the challenges faced by Native American Communities, and wanted to learn and experience from as wide a spectrum as possible over the coming days. To Read entire story follow the below link:
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0BzOSmZ0UUErDZjg2MmM2NDgtODk1OC00M2RiLWFmMjItZWIyYTY4YjRmMGQ0&sort=name&layout=list&num=50
Jim, this should open up eyes through out the land. Witnessing starts at home. After college I was met by the desire to travel with the Peace Corps to do my part. After seeing the poverty south of the border and tucked away in my own neighborhood I knew I had to be active here. Happy Holidays and keep fighting the good fight. Hector
ReplyDeleteJim, I read this post with great interest as I spent a little time on the Coville Reservation in about 1982 doing a recon for vineyard potential. I was with the great Washington Viticulture Professor, Walter Clore. We quickly established that some of the best potential wine grape production could be on reservation land.
ReplyDeleteDr. Clore and I met with tribal leaders and discussed this potential and while it provided encouragement and excitement, the cloud of despair you have described prevailed.
I congratulate you for looking into the viticultural potential of the Coville people. With vision and commitment much help in positive productive pursuits could result.
This topic deserves our joint dialouge the next opportunity we have to sit down over a cigar and glass of fine wine.
John Crossland
Well done - and thanks for putting fresh eyes on this important and neglected issue. I've been working recently with the National Museum of the American Indian. I've been disturbed by my own ignorance and poor education in this area and pleasantly surprised by the vibrant energy and interest in Indian arts and culture that thrives in obvious places like Santa Fe and suprising places like New York City and even Germany. Seems the Germans care more about our First Americans than most Americans do. But the most important thing I learned was from NMAI director Kevin Gover (Pawnee), that the best days and biggest contributions of the American Indian lie ahead of us.
ReplyDeleteJ-
ReplyDeletegreat blog!! i love your perspective. most people would match your desire to make a difference, yet so few people recognize the power they have themselves or actually take the first step in fulfilling it. many people live their entire lives with inhibited good intentions. thanks for the great reminder that we must not overlook those in need in our country!