North Dakota

[akrvbob]

We are treading dangerously close to getting the thread closed. We've done so well, let's keep it up.

When passion takes over discussion, threads get closed because anger is next.

 

[Gunny]

No anger Bob, sorry if it read that way. It wsn't intended. Rob

 

[rvpopeye]

Gunny
Glad you made it home safe and warm.

 

[Gunny]

I apologize for being harsh in my response earlier. I would like to blame it on being tired, but no, sometimes I just engage my mouth before I engage my brain.

I meant Gary or anyone else no disrespect. Rob

 

[Gary68]

you dont have to apologize to me for anything. period

yea,keep it touch with my kin up there and in summer go to one of their festivals,its quite the spectacle, but do me a favor,keep telling them they are free to wander in hopes it will drown out the "your the victim" folks

i can not express how much potential the world is losing,it makes me sad

 

[justbreathe]

Gunny, thank you so much for continuing to serve our country.

 

[Gunny]

We left just in time, they are getting hammered weatherwise. I was finally able to get in touch with the family that put me up and it's pretty rough right now.

My thanks to all who encouraged me and to all who expressed an opinion, no matter what the opinion was. And to Bob who allowed this thread to go thru some awkward spots.

I hope an equitable solution is agreed on.

Be safe, Rob

 

[VanGrrl57]

My contacts at the camp have told me they are not allowing anyone else to come and stay for now because the weather is so brutal. In fact, from what I have heard from my friends up there, last winter, there was hardly any snow at all. In fact, we got more snow in Sioux Falls than they did from what I heard. 

VanGrrl57 

 

[Kathleen]

Made it home, never thought my tiny apt. Would look so good. And warm.

Gary, if the pipeline is so safe and helps the grass grow as your pictures show why did Bismarck protest it so vocally that it was re-routed thru the reservation upriver of where they get their water? As far as "Sacred Land" and casinoe's ; have you seen the fine land they were given when their original land was 'Approprated'? Cruise thru the Black Hills enjoy the scenery, there is none. They don't claim the casinos are on sacred land, just tribal land, there is actually a difference.

When I decided to go it wasn't a political issue or too much about the pipeline, I am not naive enough to think it won't be built, money cures everything for most people. When attack dogs are set on people who weren't doing anything except blocking access to machinery and as it turns out the security firm hired by the pipeline company was and is not licensed in any state. You may think that's okay, it's your right. I didn't.

If I wasted my time in doing something you don't approve of that's on you. Not me. It was my time, my gas and my business. I'm not sure why you decided to comment at this late date and don't care. I made every effort not to be political.

The LaBrea Tar Pits Vs. this pipeline? Fine example. PM me if you want to discuss it.

It was a learning experience for me, I met some good people, slept in a yurt and learned bits of a new language. Had an interesting conversation with a couple of local cops as we were leaving, I'll pass that on when I am not so tired.

Be Safe, Rob

Gunny,

Thank you for your reply. It saved me from writing a much longer response. Each one of us has different life experience. Many US citizens have no direct contact with Native American tribal members and have not heard their point of view. Every person of tribal ancestry has their own perspective, just like people of other ethnic backgrounds.

I know nothing about vehicles except how to step on the brakes, the gas pedal, and get up and down a 10 per cent grade mountain road. Beyond that, I know nothing. Forum members are so helpful to me in my ignorance.

But I do know about tribal people because I went to school and camped with them, visited many reservations, owned the treaty books, and wrote grants funding tribal projects. Lots more, not necessary to divulge here.

The land was not given to them (as mentioned earlier) it was taken away from them. They lived on the land before others arrived. Then treaties were written by the gov't telling them which lands were theirs. And those treaties were not honored.

I don't consider this political. It is US history many know little about. It's good for us to be educated on facts, whether it's propane heaters or rain guards, or issues with huge implications for all of us, like clean water to drink. Oil is good for vehicles but not great for human consumption.

And thanks to Bob for letting us discuss this a bit, since staying alive and in good health is important to most of us. I lift my glass of water to all of you and wish you "good health and happiness" as they say in Indian Country.

 

[Gunny]

As of 30 minutes ago there is a pipeline close to the area leaking that they have not been able to cap, or stop. This is not the pipeline the people were fighting.

Thanks Kathleen, I met many nice people there, stayed with a small family in their yurt, shared their food, talked for hours about their life on and off of the reservation. The woman is a registered nurse, works in a clinic in the Black Hills area, the husband is a welder with his own shop. Normal people doing normal things with two great (but rowdy)kids who I hope to stay in contact with. They spoke at length about the high rate of alcoholism, highest rate of unemployment among all minorities, highest suicide rate and many other not so good things.

I served with many Native Americans before the days of political correctness set in and they were called Indians. No malice was intended and I never had an issue with any of the people. As brave in actual combat as anyone else and dependable to the extreme.

I went with three other guys, all younger than me and I think it was a learning experience for them. One is going back up there next week as he has become enamored with a woman from the tribe. He didn't want to leave but since it was his car we were in we would have hijacked it and left him there so he relented.

I won't go back, my mobility issues are more of a hindrance than an asset so I will just help monetarily if they go back.

I agree with you, Bob was kind enough to allow the thread and has my thanks..Rob