Author Archives: mbecker

Groceries and Rancid Meat

If you live in a metropolitan area, suburban area, a rural region near a larger city, or really almost anywhere. If you are middle or upper class, economically stable, have a job, a steady income, have a car and a … Continue reading

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Leaving South Dakota

We have left South Dakota. On Wednesday, July 11, 2012 we traveled from Lower Brule to Rapid City via Wall, on interstate 90. We arrived in Rapid with time in the afternoon to visit some sites and stores in the … Continue reading

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Visiting with the Lower Brule Tribe

We drove into the Lower Brule Reservation yesterday (Monday, July 9). It was obvious as we drove through the countryside that the Native Americans living on the Lower Brule were financially more secure than the Pine Ridge or Cheyenne River … Continue reading

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Cheyenne River Youth Project (CRYP)

The Cheyenne River Youth Project (CRYP) was one of our stops in Eagle Butte. CRPY was built to provide a safe place for children and teens in Eagle Butte. The center provides activities and meals, and in some cases it … Continue reading

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Bear Solider Wacipi and Honoring Veterans

Sunday, July 8, was filled with Lakota culture and thoughts. In the morning we met with Sandy Frazier in Eagle Butte. Sandy and Carolyn Rittenhouse are family members. When I called Sandy on the phone, she immediately invited us over … Continue reading

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Cheyenne River and Eagle Butte

I woke up this morning and headed into the popular and wonderful coffee room. I love the coffee room at the Harding Motel, except for one thing…it is also the smoking room. I did end up chatting with a few … Continue reading

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Wall Drug

Wall Drug. Talk about a change in environment. From the seriousness of the Pine Ridge Reservation to the incredible tackiness of the tourist trap of Wall Drug. We arrived in Wall, SD after a long drive north from Pine Ridge. … Continue reading

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Good news from the Reservation

My recent blogs have been pretty depressing on the plight of the Lakota People living on Pine Ridge Reservation. From the price of food, to the isolation, the lack of housing, electricity and water, the poverty rate, the alcohol abuse, … Continue reading

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My week with Re-member

My thoughts from my week with Re-member. (1) Installing skirting on a house or trailer will cut the propane bill for a household by about 40%. Many of the homes on the Pine Ridge Reservation need skirting around the bottom … Continue reading

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A Look at the Soil

The reservations where the Native Americans are placed contain some of the poorest soil in the United States. Additionally, the Lakota people, who ended up in South Dakota on reservations such as Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Cheyenne River, and Standing Rock … Continue reading

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