It is both a magical and a tragic place of great contradictions. On the one hand, a worldview exists here that could be the salvation for humanity. It deeply understands that We are all related. Generosity is a way of life for even the most needy in this poorest district of the United States. On the other hand, many people on the reservation are unhealthy by any standard.
Alcohol use is widespread as is the domestic violence and child abuse that results from it.
Diabetes is epidemic. Landfills are overflowing with garbage. Interpersonal relationships are riddled with jealousy and contempt. Financial corruption and a dysfunctional work ethic exist at some level in most governmental, educational and grant funded projects. Amidst these contradictions is a tension between those who would like to see continued assimilation of the Lakota culture into the ways of the dominant culture and those who do not.