ASSESSMENT - "LEFT IN THE COLD"- CROW CREEK - 2009

[SeriousSoundStudio]

This is beyond disgraceful. Those that give the orders to remove those meters in these conditions and those who authorize or sanction it are guilty of manslaughter if not murder since lives are lost every year due to the freezing conditions. The federal and state governments involved should be dissolved immediately.

[ckhafagiuk]

i have no comment for the first time in my life

[Krylogenic]

DESPICABLE,DISGRACFUL!!! This is more of the goverments way of killing off the Indian population and running all tribes off the reservations, They should cut all the cables and poles and build their own generators out of windmills, and the electric company should go screw themselves! They shouldnt be allowed on Inidan land in the fist place. DISCUSTING!

[domoherrera]

wind power,? you have no idea. just a while ago the IRS took about 3k acers for wind energy. What do the people see? abosolutly nothing. im from Lower Brule Sioux Tribe right across the river. but They said it was the best place in the Nation for wind power..

[rhodab]

This place needs wind and solar power, cut the coop out. If they can go to Africa and South America and put up off grid plants, we should be able to do it here, for the true Americans. All those kids on breathing treatments - probably the formaldihide in the trailers. They need monolithic dome hodgins. The Europeans have ruined Africa, North and South America and every thing they touch. Worse than the Romans.

[purplechic103]

WTF???? how do these guys sleep at night? Let alone look in the mirror? Obviously, the do not see their own reflection !!

[NWOpartycrasher]

Over 5000 views and only 23 ratings? WTF

[Sliepnir2006]

I have made a response video with the name, address and email of the company concerned.

If the brain dead, zombie degenenerate politicians who are supposed to be elected as representatives will do nothing, putting weight on the electric company itself might.

[Sliepnir2006]

Email the electric company responsible for this, contact the Senator of this area and tell him to get his lazy ass down there and do something to ensure people are not left in this conditions in this area.

Whether or not they class themselves as American citizens is neither here nor there, they are still human beings, something America tends to forget, especially when it comes to the natives.

Amerca calls itself a first world country, but does pretty little to demonstrate it.

[lakotawmn]

This is discusting just shows how much the government is still screwing the native americans by not making any laws that protect them.

[bigc028282]

Their laws should have nothing to do with it! They stole their land, put them on some worthless/never going to develop land, and then charge taxes? WTF?

Go to one with a casino, and see how the money makes it to the tribe. The ones on the councils that are trying, are too dumb to realize what they are doing when they take fed money for stuff like "head start". Tribal sovereignty is about dead no matter which one you go to. I have seen it happening in just the last 30 years.

[tythemaster1]

damn that sucks man.just not right man

[wili62]

video upsets me . I have lived in south dakota for quite a few years. Pathetic.I am from another tribe.

...I like to look at solutions.

what happened to the LEAP funds .where their any?

During the warm months is there a way to somehow get stoves;  get them installed pot belly stoves gather wood during summer for winter .I grew up that way lived with a wood burning stove for years as a child. what is tribe doing as far as alternative energy?enough wind in SD to power for 10 states.

[heretherenothing]

Yeah there is but the problem withthat is trailers. I know that there are some trailers that have woodstoves but it's a big fire harzard. They showed mostly houses but anyone that's grown up the rez knows there's a lot of trailers. man its really messed up. Hope crow creek sees this oh wait you need electricty to watch this oh well its not winter yet

[coolestcarl]

Many non-natives need to educate themselves on the subject of the continued subjegation of the Native Communities in the US. It is a matter of US policy to strip Natives of their promised lands, through any measures necessary. The Lakota Peoples are rightfully entitled to complete control over the Great Sioux Reservation in western SD. The US government robbed them of this land and stripped billions of dollars worth of gold and silver from the Hills while keeping the subject tied up in courts.

[rljosie]

and where did you recieve this information? His word should be just as good as yours.

[rljosie]

The US spends billions helping other countries with their problems, WHAT ABOUT OUR OWN PEOPLE.

[bobsaggit2009]

As for the US spending billions to help others, i don't agree with that, but i feel Billions have been wasted looking at some of the properties on the restvation. why not take care of things?

[rljosie]

if the government would let us spend the money our way, maybe it wouldn't look like that. u dont think billions have been spent to help others? how much do u think has been spent in iraq

[bobsaggit2009]

I know billions have been spent in Iraq. I don't agree with that. But why are things destroyed on the reservation? what do they make you spend money on? what is there to show for it?

[TrueWan07]

wow your creditability went to zero after you contradicted yourself lol

but actually we OWN the united states government about 44 million?

Considering there is about 2500 people living on this rez WTF?

the unilaterally named "they" make us spend what little money we get on salaries, (schools, government officials, and very few summer youth programs).

[heretherenothing]

When the chiefs signed treaties with the governent and the goverement didn't live up to there end of the bargin there was a level of distrust of tribal leaders. Fast foward to now and a lot tribal leaders are corupt. And so almost any money that gets on the reservation gets filtered though certain famlies and maybe to some people that acutally need it.

[rljosie]

I seriously doubt billoins have been spent on that reservation

[matthewleeredbear]

Whats with all the hate for this video? You either work for an electric company or you are and expert on reservation living. Walk in my shoes for a day and see how smart you really are. Natives live unlike others cause we can. You couldnt. Think about that cause you couldnt live in my shoes without shooting your brains out. LOL

[bobsaggit2009]

im not the only one who said so.. someone from that very same reservation said so... I don't know if electric was promised to you, if it was im sorry i have no control over that. And refering to a comment from earlier, "MY" Government will take your kids away... Its not just MY Government, it is yours too...

[rljosie]

Forced government! Our nations are supposed to be sovereign, that was another broken deal with native americans. We arent even allowed to spend our money the way we see fit along with other decisions that have to meet your governments regulations. And to a comment made earlier (not made by you) "how long do we have to pay for this land", well lets see we lost our land forever, so i guess it would seem fit to pay forever!

[bobsaggit2009]

What do you consider fit when it comes to spending money? Im sure a lot of people voted from the reservation this past election, if it isn't your government too, why would anyone vote? I guess i wouldnt have a problem with US paying for land if the money was used properly. Why is the land on the reservation in such poor shape? I think everyone would hate seeing the whole state like that...

[TrueWan07]

Actually most of the 45+ crowd (native americans) do not consider themselves as "U.S." citizens.

FYI they verbally promised us free power, but it was not in writing. So we were basically lied to, at a time when majority of this reservation were illiterate.

[EmotionalActor]

What's the song called?

[matthewleeredbear]

Most of you people are missing the point of this video. Its not about drugs or alcohol. They were promised free electricity but they get charged more money for their electricity. Having lived on a reservation most of my life I know that Utility costs on the reservation are much higher than off the rez. Why is that when the Crow Creek Rez was promised free electricity. Your all missing the point of the video. Some of you are more concerned with peoples shirts instead of the real point

[bobsaggit2009]

Maybe the power cost more there because of the crap they have to put up with when they go to disconnect when people dont pay their bills... THIS HAPPENS EVERYWHERE! NOT JUST IN FT THOMPSON!!!

[rljosie]

why dont you have someone drop you off there (Im sure they would welcome even an idiot like you), with no car no money and lets see how you get along.

[bobsaggit2009]

You mean to tell me the residents of Ft. Thompson, or any reservation for that matter don't get any kind of assistance from the government? No money what so ever? I think you should look back in the comments, A resident from Ft. Thompson said drugs and alcohol are a problem. You are the one who started to blame the white man for something anyone has the right to injest...

[bobsaggit2009]

And P.S. I have been to that reservation many times. A select few would welcome someone there, and they are the ones that would agree, there are much bigger problems there than just this... if you want to open the probelms up to the world, show them all the problems so they know the whole story...

[rljosie]

let me guess, the select few you mention are tribal emplyees

[rljosie]

besides, the problem would not exist if they werent lied to and told their electric would be free.

[rljosie]

I know what the point of this video is, but when you have an idiot like bobsaget blaming drugs and alchohol, i feel i have to defend that stereotype

[bobsaggit2009]

It's not this video that is the bad part, i agree, it is bad to have your power shut off before cold weather and blizzards, but it happens in every city in SD, why are there no videos on that? I think If problems are to be exposed on the Reservation, all of them should be exposed, not just select ones...

[matthewleeredbear]

Maybe you should make a video about every city in SD. Then you can see how many other states hate on you for making a video. Maybe when you go to the reservation you should stop and live there for a year and see how easy it is for someone who is so smart like you. Your probably the smartest guy ever. lol

[bobsaggit2009]

i dont think there would be any hate on me, it would just show that it happens everywhere.. no one else seems to care what is going on anywhere but the reservation. why is it such a big deal just here? if i lived there, i would probably travel to chamberlain to get a job... or maybe pierre? im sure there is enough money for gas to get there for a few days to get a pay check...

[rljosie]

white people are to blame for drugs, alchohol, foreign disease, and the way we are made to live. we could resort back to our old ways, but your gov. would say that we cant live like that and take our children from us

[bobsaggit2009]

well just understand that people of every race have alcohol and drug problems. And people of every race get their power shut off. So dont go around acting like the native americans are the only ones getting there power shut off when they dont pay their bills.

[bobsaggit2009]

beside the fact, i have never seen anyone forcing anyone to drink alcohol or do drugs on the reservation. That is a choice, not a requirement...

[rljosie]

doesnt mattr who built the damn, it was still built on native land with lies. electric bills arent as high anywhere else either. energy comes from our land we shouldnt have to pay for it

[rljosie]

regardless..............drugs and alchohol wouldnt be here without white people.....or money for that matter.

[bobsaggit2009]

I think you are sadley mistaken if you think White's are to blame for the drug and alcohol problem there. I guess without white people here there probably wouldnt me money either for that matter...

[wolve1965]

I am from Germany and saw what is going on when I´ve been in the Yukon in 2005. I was living five weeks in a Reserve and it was just ugly to see how the Canadians deal with these wonderful people. Still sad about it because they have murdérd my friend last year just 27 years old.

[rljosie]

should have just refused to let them build their power plant there.............oh, wait they would have done it anyway. Just a bunch of worthless indians herded here to wait out their lives like cattle!

[bobsaggit2009]

Just to make it clear also, Central Electric was not the company that built this dam. It was the US Government. I also just want everyone to know, the reservation is not the only place power gets cut off when you dont pay your bill. It happens all over South Dakota no matter what month it is.

[rljosie]

Where are they getting the drugs and alchohol? Probably from the same people who took our land and promissed so much but never made good on promises, only lies. some of you have never been poor, i am a native american from oklahoma i grew up very poor, i am educated and doing well now. It was a lifelong struggle to get where i am. Its not easy at all to have no money, no car or no home, then just go get a job and everything will be fine.

[bobsaggit2009]

Yeah, Im sure the "white people" are the ones they are getting drugs and alcohol from... Regardless, you cant get any of it without money... I strongly agree with 1991044's comments.

[bobsaggit2009]

Finally! Someone who knows whats really going on!

[1991044]

and it would probably help if our own tribal govt wasnt screwing us over.. why dont you harass them CAN-do??

[obiwancowboy]

I grew up not even fifty miles from here and I know there are jobs aviable in the area. If these people would just take and hold a job like the rest of us then the bills could be paid. This is not the nations fault. If you really want to help them stop giving them handouts give them jobs.

[seejanepump]

If average income on the rez is $5000 a year that makes the cost of electricity around 25% of that...

[timn620]

Did you ever stop to think why they don't like handouts??

[seejanepump]

Your hateful attitude will kill you in the end.

[bobsaggit2009]

I just think there are other problems on the reservation other than just this... dont see anyone talking about them or making a big deal out of any of it.

[artisdabom]

it isnt even winter if u are wearin a short sleeve shirt

[TrueWan07]

He was wearing one in the car, but look at your friends who are disconnecting the power to houses with little kids inside, with a blizzard on the way.

Boy sure looks like they're wearing long sleeve shirts dont it? Thanks for very helpful comment, completely missing the point of the video,

and all you say is, "it isnt even winter if u are wearing a short sleeve shirt "

wow your unbelievable

[redwing6148]

u dont understand, i blizzard was coming in two days it was the first blizzard of the season. and how can we leave the reservation if we dont have jobs, cars or money, explain that, its hard to just pick up and leave u dumb fuck

[pshastapick]

ur no diff than me if i dont pay my bill i get disconnected,i notice short sleeves in video dont think its winter months yet,also leave res and make a better life you have the choice to go find a job elswhwere you have more opportunities than most you can go to school and have it paid for i see you at stores with food stamps you have new homes from govt,and they look horrible wheres your prideand yes you do get monthly checks the govt dosnt give me one,how long do we have to pay for this land

[timn620]

Most Native Americans paid for this land with their lives. There is no way we (Euro-Americans) will ever be done "paying for this land". You must not understand winter months in South Dakota. It can be 50 degrees 1 day and later the same day be freezing or even a blizzard. Just because you see a few people in short sleeves doesn't mean it isn't winter. Leaving the reservation isn't as easy as you propose. It is home, family, etc. If you leave, u are just another "white man".

[redwing6148]

ashtray this man is my uncle my mom is her brother alot of people that are probably looking at this video know this guy..do you realize that Ft. Thompson (crow creek) has a major unemployment rate, u dumb bastard pull ur head out of ur asshole and realize we need help

[ImMaFiGhTeR]

22maxon23.. dont even waste your time on that other ignorant person that doesn't know anything... people who are like that have a lack of intelligents....I'm so glad that peter did this because something MUST be done about this injustice!

[22maxon23]

Ashtray 256 ur a fuckin idiot if u think all people get checks.. ur an ignorant fuck.. i wish u could live on my reservation for a year and see how u like it.. i grew up there my whole life... i pray god or whoever the fuck u believe in helps u understand... These people are without heat and electricity and the only thing u can think of is a govt check? u petty son of a bitch.. aint no one wanna live off no govt check.. u could have ur fucken handout.. i hope.. im tryna live.. just not like u..

[ashtray256]

I'm sorry but if you get a monthly check for yourself and your kids how do you not have enough money to pay your bills. You get help from the gov. for things. Your not the only ones who get their electricty shut off when they can't pay their bills. Ppl who can't afford things get JOBS.. even then still strugle but the gov. still don't help out near enough.. I don't think it's fair that the ppl who do work and need help they can't get it because it's all getting usedl.

[brennanance]

You are not sorry...did you listened and watched the beginning of the video? The Crow Creek Nation was promised free electricity, for allowing this company to build a dam on their land. I'm Native American, and if this was promised to my family, for a crooked company to use my land, I would be very upset. Remember, this government has broken many treaties to many tribes, and this video is proof, that non-indians is stealing land from the natives once again.

[matthewleeredbear]

Ashtray 256 your one of them people who get a little ahead in life and think everyone has what you have. If your boss promised you a pay check and didnt give you a damn thing would you complain? Think about it. They wouldnt have anything to complain about but they were told they get free electricity so thats what the big deal is. They werent supposed to pay for what they were promised. Another thing is not everybody gets a check. Only a few people get Government assistance.

[Callenge1]

Where else in America are the meters PULLED because of late payments. Strange, they never did that to me when I got behind they just stopped power to the house. They did not pull the meter.

[wisdomoftheancient]

People there have been told they would have free electricity, from the land which had been stolen..

But Free and Freedom seems to have different meaning..

Free to Steal?..

"They made us many promises..but they never kept one.. ." said Mahipiua Luta.

And it seems this policy will never end..

I didn't saw such an idiot inhumanity neither in the Third World's slums!!..

[HardcoreEMT]

I live here. My monthly bill averaged over $200. I was disconnected last year and had to pay $800 to get reconnected... since then I have been turning lights off when I don't need them, and unplugging things when they're not being used. I even slowly changed to fluorescent lightbulbs and was able to get my monthly bill down. But then Central Electric sent us a notice that rates were going up! WTH! I Iived off reservation, and my bill was always lower than 50 bucks a month! Doesn't seem right

[HardcoreEMT]

Oh yeah... Central Electric recently went digital... now they can shut power off to any house with a push of a button at their office... Now the electric men don't have to feel bad when they shut off the electricity to sick children that need the power for their neb machines... Damn... I wish I could get solar panels... or a wind turbine....

[crock703]

This is crazy

[androclestipster]

I found this to be totally barbaric. Damn electric company. How dare they, that they play god over these people. This atrocious behavior by any company must stop. If deaths are caused by thier inhumane actions, may someone have mercy on thier souls because I sure wouldn't , Beasts. Pure and simple. Thanks for making us aware.

[CosmoZorzi]

loser tube wont let me share this very easily

[prairiepeteohio]

What the hell is wrong with Roger Campbell?

Why isn't he speaking out?

[crock703]

Who's he?

[prairiepeteohio]

He's The Tribal Director... He shoud have caused a swarm of hell about the wrongs happening on Crow Creek way before some guy with a camera had to document it.