I go to high school, and thursday, March 8th, I had a written assignment about Native Americans and how their living conditions were in the reservoirs back in the year 1890. This was when the US Government decided to move all the Native Americans to reservoirs, driving them away from their own land, their ancestors land, at Wounded Knee.
My task were to; "Write a letter to the politicians in Washington D.C where you outline what kind of conditions the Native Americans in the reservoir in South-Dakota are living under and what needs to be done to ensure worthy living conditions."
My answer to the assignment, was the following text;
To whom it may concern,
I, Charles Eastman, have conducted a study concerning the various living conditions of which can be found in the Native Americans reservoir in South Dakota. When visiting and living at the reservoir, I observed and noted some rather blameworthy conditions, which in extreme cases can lead to the death of the Native Americans living and working there. Therefore, I hereby write you this letter, in hope of reassessment and change.
During my time at the reservoir, I served as a doctor treating the wounded, and helped those who were in need of medical supervision. This allowed me to get an insider view of what was affecting the Indians, and why. Also, as a doctor, I managed to establish relations with many of my patients, allowing me to get their own opinion of the conditions they were living in. As a result, I collected material to back up my claims, and prove the facts of my study.
The conditions found in the reservoir, are not exactly up to standard . Starting with living conditions; the Indians are provided with a small “care-package” as they arrive at the reservoir. They may choose to accept their package, or they may choose not to. Either way, the difference is small, or even non-existent. The living quarters are rather small, as the Indians tend to have large families. This is resulting in overcrowding of the living quarters, making the living conditions even worse.
Food is fairly distributed amongst the inhabitants. There are no possibilities for hunting, and as we know, the Sioux tribe is known for its hunting capabilities. Thus, ending the Sioux tribe as we know it.
The conditions of the reservoir are in desperate need of change. The Indians are weaker than ever, and will only become weaker as long as the US Government keep restraining them. At last, it will result in the end of the Native Americans. Without them, who will tell stories? Who will enlighten people in history? The Indians are being suppressed. This have to change.
We can turn this around. You, the politicians of Washington D.C, can turn this around. All you need to do is improve the living conditions of the reservoirs, as I strongly doubt that it’s any better in any of the other reservoirs. Provide real food, provide real healthcare. Only one doctor is not enough to treat hundreds of different people, all of them with different needs. Provide the Native Americans with real housing, real jobs. If we can build a whole city in Washington, with real jobs and real healthcare, we can do it in South Dakota as well.
Yours sincerely,
Charles Eastman
Just to let you know, I got a B+ on the text.