Published Sunday August 29, 2010
BY RICK GALUSHA
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD (Midlands Voices)

Nebraskans are shocked to learn that a portion of the second-poorest area in the entire Western Hemisphere lies within our state, in the area that includes the Pine Ridge Reservation. Consider the following figures from the 2002-03 edition of Regional Differences in Indian Health, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: (more…)

Published Monday July 12, 2010
BY TIM GIAGO
INDIANZ.COM

Prohibition doesn’t work!

It lasted 13 years in America and gave life to nationally syndicated crime, the income tax and opposition by the United States Brewers’ Association to Women’s Suffrage: the right for women to vote. (more…)

Published Saturday May 1, 2010
THE PUBLIC PULSE (Letters to the Editor)
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

An April 27 news story on Whiteclay, Neb., commendably focused on the cleanup efforts taking place. (more…)

Published Thursday April 15, 2010
BY LANCE MORGAN
WINNEBAGO INDIAN NEWS

I recently sat on a panel discussing White Clay, Nebraska, which is tiny town just a mile from the Pine Ridge Reservation. The town of White Clay only has four full time residents, but it’s claim to fame is that it sells over 4 million cans of beer a year. Obviously, the beer is sold to members of the local tribe, which is technically a dry reservation. (more…)

Published Tuesday March 30, 2010
STAFF EDITORIAL
SCOTTSBLUFF STAR HERALD

SCOTTSBLUFF, NEB. — Over the years we’ve grown skeptical of efforts to “solve” the problem of beer sales in Whiteclay.

Much of the noise seems calculated to promote the careers of celebrity “activists” rather than address the real problem, which is rampant alcoholism on the nearby Pine Ridge Reservation. Critics of the beer merchants have always found it convenient to overlook that those buying the beer are willing customers who would simply look elsewhere if the Whiteclay stores were shut down. (more…)

Published Saturday March 27, 2010
STAFF EDITORIAL
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

Kudos to State Sens. LeRoy Louden and Russ Karpisek for their success in gaining support for funding, through two rounds of debate, to help address alcohol-related problems associated with Whiteclay, Neb. Several lawmakers, plus the General Affairs and Judiciary Committees, have shown commendable dedication to tackling this issue. (more…)

Published Wednesday March 3, 2010
STAFF EDITIORIAL
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

Now is an important time for Nebraska to send the signal — to the federal government, to the tribe, to the State of South Dakota — that Nebraska is willing to move forward if other parties step up, too. (more…)

Published Sunday February 7, 2010
BY JOHN KREJCI
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

I was encouraged to read that “State leaders, others focus on Whiteclay” (Jan. 31). The problems of alcoholism and Nebraska’s shame of profiting from beer sales to Natives need to be addressed. When Nebraskans for Peace raised the issue in 1999, few even knew the Nebraska beer sales were contributing to Native alcoholism.

Although it is encouraging that Nebraska’s governor and state legislators have begun to address the problem, their initial solutions – a town cleanup, a recycling center and a mini-mall – do little to address the tragedy of Nebraska’s skid row of the Plains. (more…)

Published Sunday February 7, 2010
BY RICK R. GALUSHA
THE PUBLIC PULSE (Letters to the Editor)
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

I want to thank Gov. Dave Heineman for leading a group of elected officials to meet with Lakota Sioux tribal members in regard to the problems on the Pine Ridge Reservation, as well as problems related to the sale of alcohol in Whiteclay, Neb.

State Sens. Brad Ashford, Russ Karpisek, Colby Coash and LeRoy Louden have taken a step forward with the introduction of legislation that may provide, in part, much-needed alcohol treatment. (more…)

Published Saturday February 6, 2010
STAFF EDITORIAL
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

In a year in which spending measures are squashed in the Legislature almost before the ink dries, it’s encouraging that a few bills have been introduced to do something about the festering problem in Whiteclay.

As many Nebraskans know after a decade of media attention — including a film, “The Battle for Whiteclay,” directed and produced by Mark Vasina of Lincoln — four stores in the tiny village sell about 4 million cans of beer a year. (more…)