[gemy]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I know this is OT, but I could not agree more. It's a forgotten, rotten tragedy that we've destroyed Native Americans. The poverty many of them live in is unimaginable. It's always broken my heart bc I've always had an affinity for them, perhaps bc I've read a lot of books about the history. Sadly, their severe poverty often extends to their animals...we have a reservation not far from here in AZ, and the horses in their yards are often near death with starvation ... which means a call to the local Animal Control. So sad all around.

I agree here in Canada we are certainly remiss at the least in the treatment of our Native Canadians.

I dated for two years a full blooded Indian. He and his family was off the reservation. But they lived in an actual tar paper shack. I was only 17yrs old and on a work placement during university break. Six children two adults, in maybe a 500 x 500 square foot tar paper shack. No indoor plumbing, no hot water. A stove maybe electric one.

And yet at winter break from university they welcomed me in again. I slept with their youngest in a bunk bed, with another youngster ousted from her bed to sleep with her sister. Let me recap 5 children plus myself in one tiney sleeping room. Kenny slept in the main room in a chair. Their oldest son.

And they both worked. And yet lived like this. Kenny's Mom truly dreamed of in-door plumbing..... Such a truly simple wish.

They neither one were drunks or crack heads or something. They were simple hard working Canadians, that had a whole lot of kids, and limited education and ability to make money.

I don't know what the answer is, I truly wish I did. Because what is now is not working for any-one in terms of the native question.