Massive Sioux Indian Reservation Battles Snow with 3 Ploughs

The Cheyenne Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota has been hit hard by the recent blizzards, with only three snowploughs to clear an area the size of Connecticut. Many of the reservation’s rural 2-lane asphalt and dirt roads have been blocked by drifts, leaving the 8,000 residents without power or heat for over five days. The temperatures and wind chills have dropped as low as -19◦, causing a number of deaths due to exposure and complications from diabetes, which is an epidemic on the reservation. Russell Means, Chairman of the Lakota Republic, has spoken out about the situation, emphasising the isolated nature of the reservations.

Snowploughs are often taken for granted, yet those living on the reservation were unable to leave their driveways and access medical care, resulting in heart attacks and exposure-related deaths. The lack of emergency services and infrastructure on the reservation has been a long-standing issue, with 85% unemployment, record levels of alcoholism, Type 2 diabetes and unspeakable poverty. 

Russell Means’ daughter called from 200-miles away, asking to borrow a generator, only to have it stolen. In response to what the most pressing immediate needs were, he called for funds for snow removal and emergency equipment, as well as adequate healthcare. 

When disasters strike, generous Americans send millions to those in need. However, the tragedy in Indian reservations has been ongoing, with people freezing inside their homes and dying from exposure and CO2 asphyxiation. Keith Olbermann of MSNBC’s Countdown described it as “450 miles from Minneapolis,” while Russell Means called it “genocide of the Indian people.” It is clear that this is a result of gross neglect, and that urgent action needs to be taken.

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