Laura Reed-Sandoval recently submitted a comment about Fort Berthold, tribal council overspending and lack of adequate housing conditions and a few other thoughts. While many people complain about these matters, few, such as Reed-Sandoval , are able to articulate their frustration. And, as I know, there is always a risk to our families, including fear of losing their jobs, housing cuts, demotions…the list goes on.
Reed-Sandoval apparently is already feeling some repercussions for speaking up, like so many others are doing, they just haven’t done so publicly. Here is the latest comment from Reed-Sandoval:
Dooshadzee, Mada wada Laura Reed-Sandoval heets and I’m Metsi Noga and Awaxia nawida makarishta mea. My apologies to who feel I have disrespected or dishonored them. Only those ladies and men who are being irresponsible in their paid tribal positions can be responsible for their actions. The chairman is the only person who knows what he’s doing. My grandmother told me, be careful what you do or what you say, it’ll come back on your family. Negative, hurtful behavior is the norm at Fort Berthold Reservation caused by decades of alcoholism, desertion, greed and plain out hate. Is this why our homelands are in such disarray? My recent post has got me thinking, how much trouble I will get into for blogging about misdeeds of our current tribal doings. Am I dishonoring my families and being a troublemaker? A sense of conscience is what makes me respond to my recent blog. Recently, I came home at my family’s request to help take care of my ailing father. I’m the oldest of his three daughters and it’s my duty to help take care of him. Upon my return, my own family called me a “money hungry, trouble maker” and shunned me. This was OK with me as I’m a new mother in my 30’s and I’ve made a choice to not raise my children in the alcoholic, dysfunctional environment I was raised in. My baby’s lives are sacred and they are a gift to their father and me. Many people, who know me, will say “she’s an alcoholic too”, and yes this is true, a recovering alcoholic making a go at a new life. I’ve resolved to maintain a positive attitude and overcome my issues, family and personal.
Today is the day; we should stand up for our ancestors and ourselves. We should all strive to teach our children our “forgotten” languages. Although we are chastised for saying things wrong, at least we’re learning. Learn the proper way to go about getting the answers we seek. We were brought onto this world by our mothers and fathers, only we can live our own lives and make our own decisions. Unlearn the dysfunction and live as our ancestors did by prayer. An uncle who I love dearly, recently told me, stay where you are, don’t come home, there’s nothing here for you. What about my families at home, are they destined for substandard health care, overpriced housing, inadequate childcare and protection from sex offenders?
Chairman, hear our voices, stop spending, clean up the mess which is our Trouble building and give the honest, conscientious workers acknowledgment. Money is only money; think about those children who have no parents, grandparents or even someone to help them. You took that job to take care of us all. Help us first; stop the abuse, and exploitation of our rights. Gowitz
Jodi Rave
