Indian reservations are lands that are reserved for Native American tribes by the federal government. They are meant to protect the sovereignty, culture, and rights of the indigenous people. However, many of these reservations also face serious challenges, such as poverty, crime, violence, and environmental degradation.
In this article, we will explore 10 of the most dangerous Indian reservations in the United States, based on factors such as murder rate, violent crime rate, poverty rate, unemployment rate, and health issues. We will also discuss some of the causes and consequences of these problems, as well as some possible solutions.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Indian Reservations
1. Pine Ridge Reservation
The Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota is home to the Oglala Lakota tribe, one of the subgroups of the Sioux nation. It is also one of the poorest and most violent places in America. The reservation has a murder rate that is more than 10 times higher than the national average, and a violent crime rate that is even higher. Many of these crimes go unsolved due to lack of police resources and cooperation from witnesses.
The reservation also suffers from extreme poverty and unemployment. Almost 40% of the people living on the reservation live below the poverty line, with unemployment reaching over 75%. These conditions create a cycle of despair and hopelessness that fuels crime and violence.
The reservation also has very little access to basic services such as health care, education, and utilities. Many residents struggle with mental illness or substance abuse, both of which exacerbate the crime problem. In fact, Native Americans are 2 1/2 times more likely than non-Natives to die from alcohol-related causes each year on Pine Ridge alone.
The Pine Ridge Reservation is a tragic example of how historical oppression, discrimination, and neglect have resulted in a humanitarian crisis for Native Americans.
2. Wind River Reservation
The Wind River Reservation in Wyoming is home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes. It is also one of the most dangerous places in the country, with a crime rate that is said to be five- to seven-times higher than the national average.
The reservation has a history of violence and conflict, dating back to the 19th century when the tribes were forced to share the land by the federal government. The tensions between the tribes have continued to this day, resulting in frequent clashes and disputes over resources and jurisdiction.
The reservation also faces high levels of poverty and unemployment. About 30% of the people living on the reservation live below the poverty line, with unemployment reaching over 50%. These conditions create a fertile ground for criminal activity and gang involvement.
The reservation also has limited access to health care and education. Many residents suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The suicide rate for teens and young adults is twice as high as the state average. The dropout rate for high school students is more than twice as high as the state average.
The Wind River Reservation is a bleak place where violence and despair are rampant.
3. Navajo Nation
The Navajo Nation is the largest Indian reservation in the United States, spanning across parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is home to about 300,000 Navajo people, who have their own language, culture, and government.
However, the Navajo Nation also faces many challenges, such as crime, poverty, unemployment, and environmental issues. The reservation has a murder rate that is four times higher than the national average, and a violent crime rate that is three times higher. Many of these crimes are related to domestic violence or alcohol abuse.
The reservation also suffers from extreme poverty and unemployment. About 40% of the people living on the reservation live below the poverty line, with unemployment reaching over 40%. These conditions create a lack of opportunities and incentives for young people to stay on the reservation or pursue higher education.
The reservation also faces serious environmental problems, such as water contamination, air pollution, uranium mining, and coal burning. These problems affect the health and well-being of the residents, as well as their traditional way of life.
The Navajo Nation is a proud and resilient community that has survived many hardships but still struggles with many issues.
4. Blackfeet Reservation
The Blackfeet Reservation in Montana is home to the Blackfeet tribe, one of the largest tribes in North America. It is also one of the most violent places in Montana, with a murder rate that is six times higher than the state average, and a violent crime rate that is four times higher.
The reservation has a history of violence and trauma that dates back to the 19th century when the tribe was decimated by wars, diseases, starvation, and massacres by white settlers and the U.S. Army. The legacy of these events has left a deep scar on the psyche and culture of the tribe, resulting in high rates of alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence, and suicide.
The reservation also faces high levels of poverty and unemployment. About 30% of the people living on the reservation live below the poverty line, with unemployment reaching over 60%. These conditions create a sense of hopelessness and despair that fuels crime and violence.
The reservation also has limited access to health care and education. Many residents suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, kidney failure, and tuberculosis. The life expectancy for the tribe is 20 years lower than the national average. The dropout rate for high school students is more than twice as high as the state average.
The Blackfeet Reservation is a place where violence and misery are common.
5. Standing Rock Reservation
The Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota and South Dakota is home to the Hunkpapa Lakota, Sihasapa Lakota, and Yanktonai Dakota tribes. It is also one of the most dangerous places in North Dakota, with a murder rate that is five times higher than the state average, and a violent crime rate that is three times higher.
The reservation has a history of resistance and activism that dates back to the 19th century when the tribe fought against the U.S. Army and white settlers who encroached on their lands and violated their treaties. The most recent example of this was the 2016-2017 protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, which threatened to contaminate their water supply and sacred sites.
The reservation also faces high levels of poverty and unemployment. About 40% of the people living on the reservation live below the poverty line, with unemployment reaching over 70%. These conditions create a lack of economic development and social services on the reservation.
The reservation also has limited access to health care and education. Many residents suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The suicide rate for teens and young adults is four times higher than the national average. The dropout rate for high school students is more than twice as high as the state average.
The Standing Rock Reservation is a place where resistance and hardship are intertwined.
6. Fort Peck Reservation
The Fort Peck Reservation in Montana is home to the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes. It is also one of the most dangerous places in Montana, with a murder rate that is five times higher than the state average, and a violent crime rate that is three times higher.
The reservation has a history of violence and abuse that dates back to the 19th century when the tribe was forced to relocate from their ancestral lands in Minnesota to Montana by the federal government. The tribe faced starvation, disease, warfare, and massacres by white settlers and soldiers along the way. The trauma of these events has been passed down through generations, resulting in high rates of alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence, and suicide.
The reservation also faces high levels of poverty and unemployment. About 30% of the people living on the reservation live below the poverty line, with unemployment reaching over 50%. These conditions create a lack of opportunities and resources for young people to thrive on the reservation.
The reservation also has limited access to health care and education. Many residents suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, kidney failure, and tuberculosis. The life expectancy for the tribe is 20 years lower than the national average. The dropout rate for high school students is more than twice as high as the state average.
The Fort Peck Reservation is a place where violence and abuse are prevalent.
7. Rosebud Reservation
The Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota is home to the Sicangu Lakota tribe, one of the subgroups of the Sioux nation. It is also one of the most dangerous places in South Dakota, with a murder rate that is four times higher than the state average, and a violent crime rate that is three times higher.
The reservation has a history of violence and oppression that dates back to the 19th century when the tribe was involved in several wars against the U.S. Army and white settlers who invaded their lands and violated their treaties. The most infamous example of this was the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890, when hundreds of unarmed Lakota men, women, and children were killed by U.S. soldiers.
The reservation also faces high levels of poverty and unemployment. About 50% of the people living on the reservation live below the poverty line, with unemployment reaching over 80%. These conditions create a cycle of dependency and hopelessness that fuels crime and violence.
The reservation also has limited access to health care and education. Many residents suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The suicide rate for teens and young adults is four times higher than the national average. The dropout rate for high school students is more than twice as high as the state average.
The Rosebud Reservation is a place where violence and oppression are rampant
8. White Earth Reservation
The White Earth Reservation in Minnesota is home to the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, one of the six bands that make up the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. It is also one of the most dangerous places in Minnesota, with a crime rate that is 66% higher than the national average, and a violent crime rate that is 16% higher.
The reservation has a history of violence and injustice that dates back to the 19th century when the tribe was forced to cede most of their lands to the federal government and white settlers. The tribe also faced discrimination, assimilation, and corruption from various agencies and officials who exploited their resources and rights. The trauma of these events has affected the social and economic well-being of the tribe, resulting in high rates of alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence, and suicide.
The reservation also faces high levels of poverty and unemployment. About 40% of the people living on the reservation live below the poverty line, with unemployment reaching over 20%. These conditions create a lack of opportunities and services for young people to succeed on the reservation.
The reservation also has limited access to health care and education. Many residents suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The life expectancy for the tribe is 10 years lower than the national average. The dropout rate for high school students is more than twice as high as the state average.
The White Earth Reservation is a place where violence and injustice are prevalent.
9. Crow Creek Reservation
The Crow Creek Reservation in South Dakota is home to the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, one of the bands of the Lakota-Dakota-Nakota people. It is also one of the most dangerous places in South Dakota, with a crime rate that is 2.5 times higher than the state average, and a violent crime rate that is 3.5 times higher.
The reservation has a history of violence and displacement that dates back to the 19th century when the tribe was forced to cede most of their lands to the federal government and white settlers. The tribe also faced warfare, starvation, disease, and massacres by the U.S. Army and other tribes. The most notorious example of this was the Crow Creek Massacre in 1325, when hundreds of Mandan villagers were killed by an unknown enemy, possibly the ancestors of the Crow Creek Sioux.
The reservation also faces high levels of poverty and unemployment. About 50% of the people living on the reservation live below the poverty line, with unemployment reaching over 60%. These conditions create a lack of economic development and social welfare on the reservation.
The reservation also has limited access to health care and education. Many residents suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The life expectancy for the tribe is 15 years lower than the national average. The dropout rate for high school students is more than twice as high as the state average.
The Crow Creek Reservation is a place where violence and displacement are common.
10. Cheyenne River Reservation
The Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota is home to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, one of the bands of the Lakota-Dakota-Nakota people. It is also one of the most dangerous places in South Dakota, with a crime rate that is 2.5 times higher than the state average, and a violent crime rate that is 3.5 times higher.
The reservation has a history of violence and resistance that dates back to the 19th century when the tribe was involved in several wars against the U.S. Army and white settlers who invaded their lands and violated their treaties. The tribe also faced starvation, disease, relocation, and massacres by the U.S. Army and other tribes. The most famous example of this was the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, when the tribe joined forces with the Oglala Lakota and other allies to defeat General Custer and his troops.
The reservation also faces high levels of poverty and unemployment. About 40% of the people living on the reservation live below the poverty line, with unemployment reaching over 70%. These conditions create a lack of economic development and social welfare on the reservation.
The reservation also has limited access to health care and education. Many residents suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The life expectancy for the tribe is 15 years lower than the national average. The dropout rate for high school students is more than twice as high as the state average.
The Cheyenne River Reservation is a place where violence and resistance are common.
Conclusion
The 10 Indian reservations we have discussed in this article are among the most dangerous places in the United States, with high rates of crime, violence, poverty, unemployment, and health problems. These issues are not only the result of current social and economic conditions, but also the legacy of historical oppression, discrimination, and neglect by the federal government and other parties. The Native American tribes living on these reservations have endured many hardships and injustices, but they have also shown resilience, courage, and pride in their culture and identity.
However, these tribes also need more support and resources to overcome their challenges and improve their quality of life. Some possible solutions include increasing funding and access to health care, education, housing, infrastructure, and economic development programs; strengthening tribal sovereignty and self-governance; enhancing cultural preservation and revitalization; promoting inter-tribal cooperation and collaboration; and fostering positive relationships with non-Native communities and organizations.
By addressing these issues and solutions, we hope to raise awareness and understanding of the realities and needs of the Native American tribes living on these reservations, as well as to honor their history and contributions to the United States.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: What is an Indian reservation?
A: An Indian reservation is a land area that is reserved for a Native American tribe by the federal government. The tribe has a degree of sovereignty and self-government over its reservation, but it is also subject to federal laws and regulations.
Q: How many Indian reservations are there in the United States?
A: There are 574 federally recognized Indian tribes in the United States, and 326 Indian reservations. Some tribes have more than one reservation, while some reservations are shared by more than one tribe.
Q: How are Indian reservations created?
A: Indian reservations are created by treaties, acts of Congress, executive orders, or court decisions. Most reservations were established in the 19th century, when the federal government forced many tribes to relocate from their ancestral lands to designated areas.
Q: What are the benefits and challenges of living on an Indian reservation?
A: Some benefits of living on an Indian reservation include having a sense of community and belonging, preserving and practicing one’s culture and traditions, having access to tribal services and programs, and enjoying natural resources and scenery. Some challenges of living on an Indian reservation include facing high rates of crime, violence, poverty, unemployment, and health problems; having limited access to basic services and resources; experiencing discrimination and prejudice from non-Natives; and dealing with bureaucratic and legal obstacles.
Q: What are some examples of successful Indian reservations?
A: Some examples of successful Indian reservations are those that have achieved economic prosperity, social well-being, cultural vitality, and political autonomy. For instance, the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma has diversified its economy with various businesses such as casinos, hotels, banks, farms, media outlets, health care facilities, and education centers. The Navajo Nation in Arizona has improved its health care system with innovative programs such as telemedicine, mobile clinics, wellness centers, and traditional healing practices. The Pueblo of Zuni in New Mexico has preserved its language and culture with initiatives such as bilingual education, cultural festivals, museums, libraries, arts and crafts cooperatives, and sacred sites protection.
Q: How can non-Natives visit or support Indian reservations?
A: Non-Natives can visit or support Indian reservations by respecting their sovereignty, culture, and customs; learning about their history and issues; engaging in cultural exchange and dialogue; participating in tourism activities that are ethical and sustainable; volunteering or donating to tribal organizations or causes; advocating for tribal rights and interests; or doing business with tribal enterprises or partners.