White Clay

Vice Chair Butler remarked that several earlier panelists had suggested that if alcohol use could be curbed, a reduction in crime committed by and against Indian people would follow. Ecoffey contended that until economic conditions on the reservation improve, Native Americans will continue to turn to alcohol. He told the Committee:

Just simply, in this country a 75 to 95 percent unemployment rate in any area is totally unacceptable. And until we have opportunities for our Indian people to work in meaningful jobs so that they can adequately support their family, so they can buy simple things that are needed in life, then often we're going to have our Indian people turn in a sense of hopelessness and despair to alcohol and drugs. So the crux of the problem is helping create a better economy in Indian Country across the Nation.

There is no detoxification facility on the Pine Ridge Reservation; the reservation's new 46-bed hospital, to the amazement of many, was constructed without detoxification ability.

Camp Justice is home to about 20 Native Americans who have vowed to remain there until the murders are solved. In addition to bringing the killers to justice, camp organizers want the tiny, unincorporated Nebraska border town of White Clay shut down. They blame White Clay, with its four beer stores, for rampant alcoholism on the dry reservation and for violence against Indian people, including the recent murders, that alcohol use brings.

Olson: I saw a picture of tragic life. It was worse than any picture I had inmy mind before going. The real thing was much worse than any preconceived thought I had. I saw alcohol abuse in every kind of way. I saw people who clearly were in some stage of inebriation. I saw people who appeared to be very unhealthy sitting on the ground. I saw people purchase liquor, get in their car and drive across the border, no problem. I saw drinking on premises. There were no inside-restroom facilities. There was a stench in certain areas. I saw helplessness and hopelessness. As I talked to these people, it was kind of like, 'We're down, where do we have to go? We might as well do this.'

Olson: Maybe a suspicious way. We were clearly the foreigners. The last thing I wanted was to give the impression that I was there to gawk, to criticize or to demean. When they appeared a little defensive and suspicious, I don't blame them one bit. I wanted to allay their fears and tell them we want to understand what's going on. I didn't want them to feel that I was there to participate in a spectator sport. I shook hands, I touched them. I wanted them to feel that my heart was warm and my mission was sincere. There were even some hugs. Then we saw four people kind of slumped against a building, just tragic-looking people. There wasn't anything else to do or anywhere else to be. One told us a story about his years as a veteran. Our hearts were touched by the people there. When we asked the questions, 'How easy is it to buy beer and can these people afford it?' we were told answers that, to me, are really despicable. They buy beer on credit.

Ross: Isn't that illegal?

Olson: I don't know. I do think it's illegal to sell beer to someone who's obviously inebriated. We asked about age. The consistent replies to any of our questions were, 'Anybody can buy beer any time, regardless of age and regardless of your condition.'

Ross: And this was from the people who were on the street, not the owners of the businesses?

Olson: Right. Clearly, there're violations of panhandling, of crossing the border, violations of drinking on premises. Clearly, Nebraska law is violated. That was verified by everyone on the street and the people from Pine Ridge who came with us, the people who know what goes on there every day.

It is simply inexcusable and absolutely disgraceful that, in this country, we allow anything like that to happen. You have to feel some anger and even some fear when you're there. You have to wonder about the exploitation of the helpless. You have to feel why, how can alcohol be sold under these conditions, breaking the law and – it's sort of like feeding a cancer. It was a heartbreaking experience ... ...

Nebraska/Three Men Drink in Protest at Capitol
Three Men Drink in Protest at Capitol
By Nancy Hicks
Lincoln Journal Star
Fri May 10, 2002 
http://www.journalstar.com/

... ... happening in Whiteclay, where about 11,000 cans a day of beer are sold, primarily to members of the Oglala Sioux tribe who live on the nearby dry reservation, said Todd Paddock, a sociology professor at Wesleyan University.

April 25,2002
Treat cause of drinking
By The Journal editorial board
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com

Since the June 1999 murders of two Pine Ridge men just inside the reservation boundary from Whiteclay, Neb., groups have pressured the state of Nebraska to close the four off-sale liquor stores in that town. The stores sell about 1.4 million cans of beer a year to American Indians who travel the few hundred feet from the border to the tiny town of 14 people.

The commission's actions show a "different, higher standard for retailers in Lincoln than the standard for retailers in Whiteclay," Winston told the commission Wednesday."

"If over time nothing happens, then a lawsuit is the only recourse," he said.Winston also questioned the commission decision finding the Arrowhead Inn not guilty of two charges of selling to intoxicated people even though the individuals tested at double the legal alcohol limit, and the commission decision to continue the licenses of the four Whiteclay outlets when the owners continue to fail to meet liquor regulation standards.