The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1961-11-30
From The SideIines
by Tiff Mckay

feet Reservation becomes acute.
This year has all the aar-marks
of past years, except this year
shows signs of getting worse.
Most of this can be blamed on
general economic conditions
throughout the country. When
work is generally plentiful, local
conditions seem 10 improve; but
when jobs are scarce, moray
tightens up and areas such as
this-with a high percentage of
unemployed manpower-are the
first 10 feel the pinch.
Let's take a look at some of
the basic causes and possible
remedies for this unfortunate sit
uatiJn. First, IL must be realized
that the people who live here on
the Blackfeet reservation are here
because IL is their home-histor-
icaIIy and in most cases, finally
Thus we do not have the situa-
ton common in other communi-
ties where most people live in a
town because il offers them a
chance for a job and a decent
living Secondly. IL must be rea-
liZed that our greatest period Of
unemployment is during the win
ter months when weather slows
down construction work, rail
reading. farm work and the other
Jobs which furnish our people
even part-time employment. And
lastly. we must recognize that
because of lack of training, most
of the people living here are not
equipped - migrate TO other
communities in search of work.
So what do we do about il?
Taking first things first, we
should try and meet the emer-
gency substance needs of those
people unable 10 find work and
earn the wages needed 10 provide
for themselves. But this meeting
Of emergency needs should not
be an end in itself. To make ever
a beginning Of a complete pro
gram aimed at re m dying ?
chronic situation such as exists
locally. we must deal with the
complete need. II therefore fol
lows that we must also do some
thing about equipping those Poo
pie who lack earning power &c
meet their needs with training ir
fields for which they ere best
equipped and which offer the
best opportunity for employ
ment. This training program need
not be a program by itself; bu'
may very well be worked in con-
nection with the General Assist
ance program operated each year
by the Tribe and Glacier and
Pondera counties. Approximate
" $4,000 is spent on this assist
ance program each year with no
visible Iong-term results. Perhaps
this same amount Of money
might be put TO better use II
spent in an occupational training
prOgram-a sort Of earn as you
learn trade school. II might be
worth looking into.
During the Thanksgiving, ]
had a chance TO talk with many
OF the students attending college
and universities around the couH-
try. Browning and the Blackfeet
Indian Reservation can be justly
proud Of these young people
There are at least 60 of them at
tending schools of higher learn
ing: and for the most part, they
are sincere, dedicated young men
and women.
My greatest complaint with
these college students has al
ways been that once their educa-
ton Is completed. they 60 into
fields Of work which take them
away from this area. OF course,
we are a lot 20 blame for this
We don't have the jobs open TO
them here al homo.
But I sincerely believe that
here. on the Blsckfeet Reserva-
ton. is one OF the greatest OPP
nortunities for yn"-g men and
women 10 make their mark in
the world. Where else touisi4e OF
the Peace Cor7sl can you 60 and
find such a great experiment in
human relations ard develop
ment as can be found right here
al home. Locally. we cry for
leadership: but we provide no in
centive for our potential leaders.
nor do we provide rewards for
accomplishment Small wonder
that we are exporting some OF
the best educated talent in the
country.
As I write this. Just heard the
news flash that the U. S. has
shot a monkey into space. hoping
that he will orbit the earth al
least three times and be recover.
Cd somewhere near Puerto Rico
So. ! guess we still haven't got.
ter the lead out OF our sstronaut
All we seem 10 be doing is mon.
keying around, aping the Rus
slams