Saving Whiteclay
Saving Whiteclay
Dude, lets walk to the liquor store and get some beer. The town of Whiteclay borders the Pine Ridge Reservation, and in just walking distance are four local off-sale beer retailers. Whiteclay is known for the huge amount of sale of alcohol. In 2009 between the four liquor stores they have sold approximately 191,649 cases of beer according to the Nebraska Liquor Commission (Nebraska). Frank LaMere (Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska) has been advocating stopping the sale of alcohol in the town of approximately fourteen to twenty-two permanent residents (Battle). In the documentary, The battle for Whiteclay, brings a powerful message regarding the environmental, violation of the liquor laws and other ethical issues. To this present day controversy over these issues has raised the question should the town of Whiteclay be close down? Because of the devastating amount of alcoholism and the known sales to minors and intoxicated people, by closing down Whiteclay would this action save lives of the Oglala Sioux Indians who live on the Pine Ridge Reservation? The three issues regarding Whiteclay locals and the Pine Ridge residents are alcoholism/death, social reasonability and the question should Whiteclay be shut down. What is my position on this issue? That is a very good question. I feel if Whiteclay was to be shut down there’s several businesses and a few residents will need to be relocated and lives will be disrupted. However, that would not solve the issue of drinking on the reservation. The resident of Pine Ridge Reservation who does not follow the liquor laws would make their way to other liquor store to obtain alcohol, so, to have a dry Reservation would not exist. This has become a catch 22 issue. What possible could happen is to change Whiteclay in to a productive town by adding a recycling business and much needed outreach on both side of the boarder of Whiteclay and Pine Ridge Reservation. Having the extra resources and better laws would greatly
Dude, lets walk to the liquor store and get some beer. The town of Whiteclay borders the Pine Ridge Reservation, and in just walking distance are four local off-sale beer retailers. Whiteclay is known for the huge amount of sale of alcohol. In 2009 between the four liquor stores they have sold approximately 191,649 cases of beer according to the Nebraska Liquor Commission (Nebraska). Frank LaMere (Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska) has been advocating stopping the sale of alcohol in the town of approximately fourteen to twenty-two permanent residents (Battle). In the documentary, The battle for Whiteclay, brings a powerful message regarding the environmental, violation of the liquor laws and other ethical issues. To this present day controversy over these issues has raised the question should the town of Whiteclay be close down? Because of the devastating amount of alcoholism and the known sales to minors and intoxicated people, by closing down Whiteclay would this action save lives of the Oglala Sioux Indians who live on the Pine Ridge Reservation? The three issues regarding Whiteclay locals and the Pine Ridge residents are alcoholism/death, social reasonability and the question should Whiteclay be shut down. What is my position on this issue? That is a very good question. I feel if Whiteclay was to be shut down there’s several businesses and a few residents will need to be relocated and lives will be disrupted. However, that would not solve the issue of drinking on the reservation. The resident of Pine Ridge Reservation who does not follow the liquor laws would make their way to other liquor store to obtain alcohol, so, to have a dry Reservation would not exist. This has become a catch 22 issue. What possible could happen is to change Whiteclay in to a productive town by adding a recycling business and much needed outreach on both side of the boarder of Whiteclay and Pine Ridge Reservation. Having the extra resources and better laws would greatly
Cited: Battle for Whiteclay. Dir. Mark Vasina. Perf Frank Lamere ,Russell Means and Webster Poor Bear. Glass Onion. 2011 Film. Clark, Vic. “Liquor debate goes to core of town’s ties to reservation.” Rapid City Journal. 17 July 2010. Web 6 Feb 2013. Garrigan, Marry. “Whiteclay a village on the edge.” Rapid City Journal. 18 July 2010. Web 6 Feb 2013. Johansen, Bruce. “Whiteclay, Nebraska:The Town That Booze Built.” Native Americas Journal. 28 Jan 1999. Web 6 Feb 2013. Mohr, Jeff. M.S.W Associate Professor of Social Work Nebraska Wesleyan University “Whiteclay Study Guide Documentary.” Moon, Ruth. “More than 100 march, protest Whiteclay liquor sales.” Rapid City Journal. 27 Aug 2012. Web, 6 Feb 2013. National Indian Law Library. Oglala Sioux Tribe: Law and Order Code, Chapter 9. Web 29 Feb 2012. Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Nebraska. Gov. WhiteClay Year End Statistics 2011. Web 16 Feb 2013.