Post by blackcrowheart on Sept 23, 2006 14:50:24 GMT -5
A commitment to help on Rosebud reservation
STEVE YOUNG
September 17, 2006
www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006609170360
As a Lakota woman with deep familial roots in the Rosebud Indian
Reservation, Sarah Brokenleg knows the demons that haunt her people.
They are called diabetes, HIV, and methamphetamine abuse. They are
destroying a proud nation. And she intends to try to stop them.
"I do think one person can make a difference," the 29-year-Sioux Falls
native says. "If your voice is strong and you have no problem speaking
out, which I don't, one person can do it."
In that vein, she is at the University of Kansas pursuing a bachelor's
degree in social welfare and plans to seek a master's degree in public
health after that.
She began doing exploratory research this summer out of the University
of Kansas on methamphetamine use, particularly among Native Americans,
and ways to potentially thwart it.
"I'm trying to look at things like, 'How are the lives of kids different
who aren't involved in meth use? What is it about their families?' " she
says. "Of course, I think some of the answers are pretty clear. Those
who practice the ceremonies and their spirituality, who come from the
more traditional values, are less likely to be involved."
Rita Brokenleg sees what her niece is doing and is understandably proud.
But having labored in diabetes prevention on the Rosebud Reservation,
and now supervising the outpatient department at the Indian Health
Service hospital in Rosebud, Rita Brokenleg also understands her tribe's
need for more people such as Sarah.
"There needs to be some younger people who are taking a genuine concern
for what's going on on the reservation," Rita Brokenleg says. "And I
mean, people who can set an example as well as work on some of these
significant issues. I think Sarah is one of those. She has the right
attitude. She has the right mentality."
And she has the passion, Sarah Brokenleg insists, to be an instrument of
change for her people.
"I firmly believe if we all pull together, we can pull a community out
of these problems," she says. "I know I'm going to try."
Reach Steve Young at 331-2306.
STEVE YOUNG
September 17, 2006
www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006609170360
As a Lakota woman with deep familial roots in the Rosebud Indian
Reservation, Sarah Brokenleg knows the demons that haunt her people.
They are called diabetes, HIV, and methamphetamine abuse. They are
destroying a proud nation. And she intends to try to stop them.
"I do think one person can make a difference," the 29-year-Sioux Falls
native says. "If your voice is strong and you have no problem speaking
out, which I don't, one person can do it."
In that vein, she is at the University of Kansas pursuing a bachelor's
degree in social welfare and plans to seek a master's degree in public
health after that.
She began doing exploratory research this summer out of the University
of Kansas on methamphetamine use, particularly among Native Americans,
and ways to potentially thwart it.
"I'm trying to look at things like, 'How are the lives of kids different
who aren't involved in meth use? What is it about their families?' " she
says. "Of course, I think some of the answers are pretty clear. Those
who practice the ceremonies and their spirituality, who come from the
more traditional values, are less likely to be involved."
Rita Brokenleg sees what her niece is doing and is understandably proud.
But having labored in diabetes prevention on the Rosebud Reservation,
and now supervising the outpatient department at the Indian Health
Service hospital in Rosebud, Rita Brokenleg also understands her tribe's
need for more people such as Sarah.
"There needs to be some younger people who are taking a genuine concern
for what's going on on the reservation," Rita Brokenleg says. "And I
mean, people who can set an example as well as work on some of these
significant issues. I think Sarah is one of those. She has the right
attitude. She has the right mentality."
And she has the passion, Sarah Brokenleg insists, to be an instrument of
change for her people.
"I firmly believe if we all pull together, we can pull a community out
of these problems," she says. "I know I'm going to try."
Reach Steve Young at 331-2306.