Reservation Myth Busters

We hear tribal politicians campaign on the slogan of change, but in reality nothing ever changes. Things on the rez go on as usual, just the faces around the council feed trough change every two years. The promises of change vanish as soon as the new council is sworn in. Change is just a myth! Here is a list of popular myths on the rez:

• Myth #1 The Tribal Council is the primary creator of economic development on the reservation. Myth Buster 1: In reality reservations operate under a communist economic system. Under communism everything is created for the state and by the state. This type of system operates under the assumption that individual Indian people are too dumb to do anything on their own. Most councilmen believe that it is the duty of the Tribal Council to create new business owned and operated by the Tribal Council. They believe that if the tribe can create new tribal businesses it will translate into jobs for the people. Unfortunately this logic usually ends up translating into minimum wage jobs for the Indian people and fat paychecks for consultants and high roller executive types.
• Myth # 2 Indian people are dumb and lazy and can't be trusted. Myth Buster 2: I was once asked if I would rather be dumb and ugly or poor and lazy? Not a very good choice, but it does reveal some of the choices Indian people are handed. It is true, the economic climate on reservations for individual Indians is very dismal. We have been handed the short end of the stick as far as economic opportunities are concerned. However, I have worked with and met some of the most talented, hard working, intelligent, friendly people on the planet, if only they were given the chance to excel. I believe Native people are a sleeping giant waiting to be unleashed. We should never allow our disadvantages to become our prison. We can defy the odds and become a prosperous people if we are willing to rise to the challenge.
• Myth # 3 There are no opportunities on the reservation. Myth Buster 3: We have been programmed to believe that opportunity is created by the tribal council. We take all of our best ideas and present them to the council and hope they will embrace and approve our schemes. Not! Opportunity comes out of creativity! You are limited only by your imagination and your willingness to take a leap of faith. Some of you are sitting on million dollar ideas.