While reading "Lost Sister" by Dorothy Johnson I became curious about of few topics as they relate to the Native American existence, namely poverty levels and the education of those living on Indian Reservations.
Native Americans endure the highest poverty levels when compared to other ethnic groups. Native Americans living on larger reservations experience poverty rates of 40% or higher. One in every four Native Americans live in poverty (25.3%). The average annual income among Native Americans is $33,627.00.

Not all Indians receive income generated by casinos. In fact, many reservations are remotely located and therefore do not have casinos as they are not ideal locations for
any type of business. These somewhat isolated locations also contribute to poverty as it is often times not economically feasible to travel the long distances from the reservations to areas that provide employment. Therefore, Native Americans experience the highest rate of unemployment. In certain instances, the unemployment rate among Native Americans is triple that of the Great Depression. Fewer Native Americans have full-time employment than any other community that experiences high poverty levels. Only 36% of Native American males experience employment year round. Counties that contain Reservations are among the poorest counties in the country.
In terms of education the Native American does not fair well. 90% of Native Americans attend high school, however the drop out rate is the highest of any other ethnic minority. Performance drops drastically after the fourth grade. The national graduation rate among Native Americans is approximately 50%.
Among the reasons given for drop out are:
* As a Native American, school is not important.
* My teacher does not understand me.
* Little to no parental support
Native Americans fall glaringly behind African Americans in college enrollment and graduation. According to the National Educational Longitudinal Survey, the United States Education System ministered to a mere 1.4% of Native Americans, making them the second most disadvantage ethnic group.
The statement made by the Secretary of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Kevin Gover said it best during a speech given at the 175th Anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Bureau held on September 8, 2000, when he said "
This agency forbade the speaking of Indian languages, prohibited the conduct of traditional religious activities, outlawed traditional government, and made Indian people ashamed of who they were. Worst of all, the Bureau of Indian Affairs committed these acts against children entrusted to its schools, brutalizing them emotionally, psychologically, physically, and spiritually. Even in this era of self -determination, when the Bureau of Indian Affairs is at long last serving as an advocate for Indian people in an atmosphere of mutual respect, the legacy of these misdeeds haunts us. The trauma of shame, fear and anger has passed from one generation to the next, and manifests itself in the rampant alcoholism, drug abuse, and domestic violence that plague Indian country. Many of our people live lives of unrelenting tragedy as Indian families suffer the ruin of lives by alcoholism, suicides made of shame and despair, and violent death at the hands of one another. So many of the maladies suffered today in Indian country result from the failures of this agency. Poverty, ignorance, and disease have been the product of this agency's work....".

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