There is a concern on the amount of stealing, theft, drug and alcohol on
the reservation and communities. Rightfully so...many have ideas on
those committing thievery and or drug and alcohol pushers and abusers
should be handled. Mind you it isn't just a problem here but a problem
all over. That said, here is my thoughts on these matters. Law
enforcement needs help, when seeing suspicious activity report it to the
local authorities, somebody steals something tell them you are going to
report it if they do not do the right thing and return the stolen
property. People who are selling and pushing drugs need to be brought to
the light and go before a designate council and address their selling.
Laws need to be enforced as they read for the law not followed. Policy
and procedures apply to everyone and just not to a certain few. Our
reservation and community need to apply the same policies and rules for
everyone including their family and friends. We have different cultural
and religious beliefs on or near the reservation. All deserve the same
respect. We are the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and first and far
most our way of life should not be put on the way side. Our ancestors
did not put their Anishinaabe way of life aside even if they did follow a
religion. Most still talked the Ojibwa language or other American
Indian languages, practiced child birthing at home, made gardens, picked
and dried berries, made the natural medicines. Attended the bush dance
and then went to the powwow at the round halls or someone's home. Most
today even if they do not acknowledge their heritage still follow the
footsteps of the ancestors. That is a whole topic itself. We as
Anishinaabe have been lied to, cheated out of land, cultural, and
language that contains our vital heritage. Now mind you we have to use
our heritage to combat the problems we have on the reservation and
communities. Back in the ancestor's time their was no room for idleness,
everyone worked for a living, their was a belief in Kitchimanitou=Great
Spirit (God) and a following in the Seven Sacred laws and the Clan
totem that governed the village. The children played but were expected
to help with chores and care for the elders and younger children in the
village. In fact, they went to the elders, and master artist in the
village and learned from them everything they needed on being an adult.
They offered the asema=tobacco, and a gift for the wisdom shared to the
elder or master artist. Land was not over worked and sharing was a big
part of daily life. Elders and children were highly cared for and
respected as well as cherished. When an individual or individuals
misbehaved they were scolded by aunts and or uncles, teased in fact. If
it was a more serious law broken a council of individuals talked to the
individual or individuals. The individual or individuals were given an
opportunity to make amends and or restitution If they violated again the
council could choose banishment and tattoo the individual(s). It was up
to another village if they wanted to take the banished individual(s)
in. There is hopelessness and helplessness on our reservation with all
the stealing, theft, broken relationships, alcohol and drug sellers, and
abuse. Not only alcohol and drugs but prescription medicine. Our
Anishinaabe way of life should be sought out in all matters to make the
village whole again. We may not be able to save everyone but this is our
community and we can choose to make a difference for the future of the
children. Miigwech
