>Argus Leader News >South Dakota needs to change attitude, Indian activist says >By LEE WILLIAMS >Argus Leader >published: 11/6/00 > >VERMILLION, S.D. -- "South Dakotans need to recognize the value of American >Indian culture and create an atmosphere similar to New Mexico, which accepts >and celebrates cultural diversity", says activist Russell Means. > >During a recent interview, Means -- an author, film actor and former leader >in the American Indian Movement -- offered opinions on the reservation >system, the state of AIM, the "refugee" status of American Indians and >economic development in the state. > >South Dakota is missing economic development opportunities because the state >does not embrace Indians, he said. > >"We've got the most famous Indians in the world living here, the Sioux, the >most celebrated of all indigenous people," he said. "And the state doesn't >take advantage of it." > >Born on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, Means maintains homes in >Porcupine and Sante Fe, N.M. > >"They celebrate three cultures; Anglo, Spanish and American Indian," he said >of his New Mexican neighbors. "And they do so for one simple reason: >economics." > >Means recently visited the University of South Dakota campus to present the >Sixth Annual Joseph Harper Cash Memorial Lecture. > >He spoke to classes, participated in other campus events and attended a >special showing of "The Last of the Mohicans," in which he had a starring >role. He was also the voice of Pocahontas' father in a Disney animated >movie. > >In the interview, Means said he wonders why there aren't artist colonies in >Rapid City, Hill City or Hot Springs, similar to those in Sante Fe or Taos. > >"There should be world-class destination resorts on the Missouri River," he >said. "We need both private and international investment." > >One state expert agrees with Means' concept of economic development. > >"He's right," said David Owen, president of the South Dakota Chamber of >Commerce and Industry. "He's accurately looking at one part of what economic >development in this state could be." > >Owens said some of Means' version may actually be starting in Hill City and >other Black HIlls communities. But Owens believes other types of development >would be more beneficial. > >"How does this rank as economic development? It would be a second or third >choice," Owens said. "Artists are super consumers. Manufacturing or >agriculture, in full production, get more turns on the dollar. Artists may >buy things downtown, but their dollars leave the area faster." > >Means said racism is what's holding back the state. > >"Racism is born of ignorance, which makes the Northern Plains states the >most ignorant area of North America," he said. "If the state could rise >above the ignorance, and run an economic partnership with Indian people, we >would all prosper." > >Means admits to stealing a plank from the Libertarian Party platform when he >addresses what the federal government should do to improve its relations >with American Indians. > >Each tribe should be dealt with individually, he said, and all outstanding >land claims settled, including the return of the Black Hills. > >"Obviously, this is not something that can be done overnight," he said. "But >look at South Africa and their (ongoing) policy of land reform." > >Means believes each reservation should be allowed to determine its own level >of sovereignty. > >"I bet 95 percent will opt for the status quo, but you're dealing with >colonized people," he said. "But there would be a few who would opt for >independence." > >Means blames the current reservation system for turning roughly two-thirds >of all American Indians into "refugees." > >"We have to leave our homes, our nations, to put a roof over our heads, and >to find opportunities," he said. "Not unlike Mexicans or Eastern Europeans >coming to this country. > >Art War Bonnett, executive director of American Indian Services in Sioux >Falls, agrees with Means on that point. > >"The average reservation unemployment rate is 80 percent," War Bonnett said. >"Many American Indians leave the reservation for an urban setting, like >Sioux Falls, with a 2 percent unemployment rate. The challenges they face >here are affordable day care, housing and low wages." > >Immigrants from all over the world face the same challenges, War Bonnett >said. All are in a refugee status, brought here because of the strong >economy, and hoping to better themselves. > >"What I've found is that the Sioux Falls community is very proactive in >helping these people face these challenges," War Bonnett said. > >Means said AIM as an entity is dead, existing only in a few isolated pockets >around the country. > >"It died, as soon as it sank into dysfunction," he said. > >The group's leaders say the movement is growing, particularly in education >and job training. > >"AIM declined for him, when he became the 'Last of the Mohicans,' and >Pocahontas' dad," said Clyde Bellecourt, who founded AIM and serves as a >national director. "The movement declined for Russell since day one." > >Bellecourt points to AIM's successes as proof of the organizations >viability. > >The Heart of the Earth Center for Indian Education in Minneapolis just >became the first culturally based charter school in Minnesota, Bellecourt >said. It first opened its doors in 1972. > >"This is the number one thing that we've done," Bellecourt said. > >He also pointed to the AIM-sponsored American Indian Opportunities and >Industrialization Center, which has trained more than 18,000 Indian people >for jobs. > >"We've taken more than 15,000 people off the welfare rolls, and put them on >the payroll," Bellecourt said. > >Means has clashed with Clyde and Vernon Bellecourt through the years. Each >has had a lifetime of activism, which included arrests and numerous battles >with tribal, state and federal governments. > >Said Means: "In my lifetime, I've seen this country address its deceit >concerning slavery and its mistreatment of blacks. I've seen it face its >deceit of migrant workers, its terrorization of women, its mistreatment of >Japanese Americans during the Second World War, and its anti-Semitism. I see >this country now coming to terms with its homophobia. > >"But I have yet to see this country face its deceit concerning American >Indians. When it does, then we can all join together and become Americans." > >--- >Reach reporter Lee Williams at lwilliam@argusleader.com or 331-2318
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