FEATURE: FOSTERING HOPE - ANOTHER VIEW OF PINE RIDGE

by Twyla Baker-Demaray

It was my honor to receive an invitation to visit Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and Red Cloud School in Pine Ridge, SD recently.  My husband and I were asked to come and speak to the students of RCS about leadership, education, career goals, and overcoming adversity.  While I was very happy and honored to do so, I was wondering how I would talk to this group of kids about overcoming adversity. 

People throughout the United States are becoming more aware of the dire circumstances found on Pine Ridge Rez.  Photographer Aaron Huey documented it and spoke of his time in Pine Ridge in his TED talk (http://www.ted.com/talks/aaron_huey.html).  Most recently, the Diane Sawyer report, “A Hidden America” showed stark images of a people ravaged by poverty, disease, alcoholism, violence, and hopelessness.

The reactions throughout the Native social network ran the gamut from sorrow and sympathy, to frustration and indignant anger at what some felt was an unfair portrayal.  In my visit to Pine Ridge, I hoped to connect a few dots for myself.  As a Native person born and raised on Fort Berthold Rez in North Dakota, I’m no stranger to what happens and the circumstances found on the rez. Continue reading this story