This occurred in my family's hometown on the Yankton Sioux Reservation.
This is but one example of the kind of work that needs to be done on
behalf of Native people in this country.
(Lake Andes is in the middle of the reservation, but was incorporated
by the white majority in the town in order to circumvent tribal
jurisdiction. Hence, the need for state zoning approval.)
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Like many cities, Lake Andes, South Dakota, routinely grants zoning
variances. So representatives of the Native American Women's Health
Education Resource Center (NAWHERC) were fairly confident that their
petition for a variance to establish a battered women's shelter--the
only one within 100 miles--would be granted. But Mike Whalen, a deputy
state's attorney, ensured that the hearing would be anything but
typical.
During the September meeting, Whalen opposed the variance, attacking
the Native American community as a "culture of hopelessness,
godlessness, of joblessness and lawlessness . . . Alcoholism, social
disease, child abuse, and poverty are the hallmarks of this so-called
culture that you seek to promote."
Outrageous remarks, with an outraged response. The Yankton Sioux Tribe
immediately called for Whalen's apology and resignation. But he
refused to resign, saying that he "did the Native American community a
favor." South Dakota Governor George Mickelson has refused to fire
Whalen, his only comment being that the remarks were "inappropriate,"
"insensitive," and "regrettable."
That was not good enough for the Sioux, who set up a Committee Opposing
Racism, which organized a boycott of town businesses, a march, and a
rally of about 250 people in September.
The women have also filed a suit against the zoning board, claiming
that it discriminated against the women because of race. Members of
NAWHERC think that despite the problems, they'll get the shelter.
"We're survivors," Jackie Rouse of NAWHERC said. "The board is going
to have to give us its approval. It's going to happen, I know."
--- Jacqueline.F.Keeler@Dartmouth.edu