The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1956-08-17

level trying to get him to move from his LAM
to find work. He is constantly told to go on
and look for job.
In his search for work he starts out PENN
less. He pulls his family, with their little tots
through the 'jungles" and "skid rows OF
our cities, they sleep in parks and the chill
dren sit on street curbs and eat potato chips
while the father looks for work.
Sister Providencia writes to Senator Mans
field, Indians are highly suggestible; they
are proud; they get hungry like everyone
else. When Agency people on the reservation
say, get off relief and get outside to work,
they go, most of them these days. Too many
are not finding work. Too many of them have
large families with them and they do not
seek agency aid :"
When they find some work they can do
USUALLY low paying and meniaD they may
move to Hill 81, where, imagine if you can:
"a group of people comprising 1 % of
citys population, but making up 1870 of the
welfare case load and $50 of the medical
load.
A group of people living in a social eli
mate marked by fear, suspicion and hostility
A home where there is nearly a total
lack of normal material goods necessary to
live.
A community where the death rate is
inconscienceable with the national average.
A community where more than 800
people get their only water from one red
handled pump in the village.
"A home so cold it is toss-up whether
you freeze or starve to death first.
A mother and father salvaging food
L.
from starving.
On Hill 81 the county rule at present is
general assistance from November to April
(for all able-bodied workers regardless of
race but the Indian budget is three-fourths
the ordinary non-Indian budget.
With Improvements in his status the Indian
Is interested in better conditions. Even IN
The fringe area in Great Falls there are two
social strata. Three miles around "The HilP'
IS the area called Mount Royal where some
If the homes have running water and the
homes are better equipped to Withstand the
'avages of weather.
When relief from the County ends at the
BEGINNING of April what does the Indian do?
In Great Falls during May of this year a
group of people loaned number of them
money to join the laborers union so they
ould get on construction jobs in the area.
But the next almost impossible situation is
to and from the job Hill 81
S five miles from the city center without bus
connections. If he manages to earn enough
o buy an old car it is generally in such con-
ition it runs only short time and then
must be repaired or let set. The number of
Id cars overturned or not running, surround
ng the community attests to the futility of
heir attempts TO provide themselves trans
ortation.
Indians prefer agricultural work, however,
nd also find that kind of employment easier
0 get when they can go where it is.
Even with his best summer efforts, he
goes into another winter with little or
nothing, SO the vicious circle starts again
cold, hunger, sickness.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has worked
or about four years on the Relocation Pro-
ram, which sends the Indian and his family
nth more guidance and assistance, great dis
ances to rehabilitate himself. Of that pro-
ram, Douglas Mckay, when he was Secretary