The Native Reservations





In 1890 the Supreme Court ruled upon the longest running court case in US History, the Sioux Nation vs. the United States. The court determined that the terms of the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty had been violated when the Sioux were resettled onto P.O.W. camps, and 7 million acres of their land were opened up to prospectors and homesteaders. These camps are now called ‘reservations’.

The grim statistics on Native Reservations today are the equivalent to that of a 3rd world country, revealing the legacy of colonization and treaty violations. Unemployment on the Reservation fluctuates between 80-90%.  Many are homeless, and those with homes are packed into rotting buildings with up to 5 families.  More than 90% of the population lives below the federal poverty line.  The life expectancy for men is 47 years old - roughly the same as Afghanistan and Somalia.

Text and photos © Aaron Huey




Comments

cafe selavy said…
This is a great project and one that is difficult to do if you are an "outsider." The images posted here are rich.
Paolo Saccheri said…
a great reportage, the talk is a must see on your website, thank you for your work! wonderful.