First Nation "Tribute to Native Peoples"

Edward Sheriff Curtis ~1868~1952 was a photographer of the American West and of Native American peoples. In 1906 J.P. Morgan offered Curtis $75,000 to produce a series on the North American Indian. (Native American) traditional life as possible before that way of life disappeared. He wrote in the introduction to his first volume in 1907: "The information that is to be gathered ... respecting the mode of life of one of the great races of mankind, must be collected at once or the opportunity will be lost." The faces stare out at you, images seemingly from an ancient time and from a place far, far away Yet as you gaze at the faces the humanity becomes apparent, lives filled with dignity but also sadness and loss, representatives of a world that has all but disappeared from our planet.

The men, women, and children in The North American Indian seem as alive to us today as they did when Curtis took their pictures in the early part of the twentieth century. Curtis respected the Indians he encountered and was willing to learn about their culture, religion and way of life. In return the Indians respected and trusted him. When judged by the standards of his time, Curtis was far ahead of his contemporaries in sensitivity, tolerance, and openness to Native American cultures and ways of thinking.

(Not all photographs in my slide show are by Edward S. Curtis)

THE ARROGANCE OF IGNORANCE: Few mainstream Americans know anything about the people that live on these reservations and fewer still know or comprehend the unconscionable conditions present on many of them. Hidden Away, Out of Sight and Out of Mind.
Regarding life, conditions, and hope on the Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Reservation of SD
§ Some figures state that the life expectancy on the Reservation is 48 years old for men and 52 for women. Other reports state that the average life expectancy on the Reservation is 45 years old. These statistics are far from the 77.5 years of age life expectancy average found in the United States as a whole. According to current USDA Rural Development documents, the Lakota have the lowest life expectancy of any group in America.

§ Teenage suicide rate on the Pine Ridge Reservation is 150% higher than the U.S. national average for this age group.

§ The infant mortality rate is the highest on this continent and is about 300% higher than the U.S. national average.

§ More than half the Reservation's adults battle addiction and disease. Alcoholism, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and malnutrition are pervasive.

§ The rate of diabetes on the Reservation is reported to be 800% higher than the U.S. national average.

§ Recent reports indicate that almost 50% of the adults on the Reservation over the age of 40 have diabetes.

§ As a result of the high rate of diabetes on the Reservation, diabetic-related blindness, amputations, and kidney failure are common.

§ The tuberculosis rate on the Pine Ridge Reservation is approximately 800% higher than the U.S. national average.

§ Cervical cancer is 500% higher than the U.S. national average.

§ It is reported that at least 60% of the homes on the Pine Ridge Reservation are infested with Black Mold, Stachybotrys. This infestation causes an often-fatal condition with infants, children, elderly, those with damaged immune systems, and those with lung and pulmonary conditions at the highest risk. Exposure to this mold can cause hemorrhaging of the lungs and brain as well as cancer.

§ A Federal Commodity Food Program is active but supplies mostly inappropriate foods (high in carbohydrate and/or sugar) for the largely diabetic population of the Reservation.

§ A small non-profit Food Co-op is in operation on the Reservation but is available only for those with funds to participate.

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[calebdye3135]

It's a shame that my ancestors may have been responsible for the re-settling and murder of so many brave and beautiful Native Americans. Their ignorance and misunderstanding of this gorgeous culture almost brings me to tears. My heart goes out to a strong culture I will probably NEVER be able to fully grasp, but one that I will always fully respect and admire. Peace and love beyond the skin.

[staclynn72]

@calebdye3135 Thanks for commenting on my video

[BearyHairy]

Beautiful melody, beautiful people, beautiful video. I am appreciative of this video, indeed. Peace. Bear.

[staclynn72]

@BearyHairy Thanks!!!! I made the video, I can say it is really beautiful ;) even if I say so myself.

[homefryable]

awesome..ty

[staclynn72]

@homefryable Thanks

[swtangel527]

Breathtakingly beautiful!

[staclynn72]

@SolarInfoWarrior Thanks!

[doubleknotproduction]

my great grandfather deliver alcohol during the prohibition to him in exchange for photos, I am thankful to have them framed! Thanks g-grandpa!

[staclynn72]

@Rosyheart1 Thanks Rosy, this is my favorite video I've made, Thanks for commenting...and I agree about Curtis. Thank God he photographed these people...