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Pervasive alcoholism is among the main reasons tribal leaders ban the sale of alcohol on reservations. But that can be big business for liquor stores just outside of the border. Tribal leaders from the Pine Ridge Reservation are working to shut down four stores in nearby Whiteclay, Neb. They say the vast majority of their sales goes to worsen alcohol-related problems within Pine Ridge. Critics of the strategy say people wanting a drink will get alcohol somewhere else and might even increase the hazard by drinking and driving. Does banning alcohol on the reservation help the people or not?
Guests:
Abram Neumann – community outreach coordinator for Lakota Hope Ministries
Frank LaMere (Winnebago) – associate chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, contractor for the Four Direction Community Center in Sioux City, Iowa
Senator Tom Brewer (a member Oglala Sioux Tribe) – Nebraska State senator for district 43
Break music: Kayas (song) Bear Creek (artist) Through Thick and Thin (album)
Yes. It will lessen domestic violence, easy access to alcohol and less alcoholism, less Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and less crime.