Published Tuesday September 29, 2009
OpenForum

Whiteclay, Nebraska, population 14 (more or less) has been called the “skid row of the plains” for its four liquor stores, which all do brisk business — approximately 12,000 cans of beer a day. The visitors buying the beer are from South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation — less than 200 feet from the town line — where alcohol is illegal and alcoholism has ravaged the community.

In a New York Times op-ed, former South Dakota Democratic senator James Abourezk recently called for President Obama to restore the town land of Whiteclay to the Oglala Sioux of Pine Ridge, which would effectively render alcohol sales illegal. In the late 1800s, President Chester Arthur, issuing an executive order, created a 50-square-mile buffer zone on the reservation’s southern border, in Nebraska. Its intent was “to prevent renegade whites from selling guns, knives and alcohol to Indians living on the reservation.” Teddy Roosevelt, with the liquor industry in his ear, overturned the order in 1904. (more…)

The Battle for Whiteclay will screen at the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival on October 28 at 4:00 p.m.  All festival screenings are at Village East Cinema, 181 2nd Avenue at 12th Street, New York, NY.  Tickets may be purchased online.  Screening will be introduced by filmmaker Mark Vasina.

The Battle for Whiteclay: A Screening and Discussion with the Director and the Film’s Lead Activist.  November 4, 2009 at The New School. Tishman Auditorium, Alvin Johnson/J. M. Kaplan Hall, 66 West 12th Street, New York City.  6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

New School President Bob Kerrey welcomes filmmaker Mark Vasina and Native American activist Frank LaMere, who invite you to a screening and discussion of their documentary, The Battle for Whiteclay. (more…)

Published Sunday, September 27, 2009
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) – A Kyle man has acknowledged bootlegging on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Craig Janis is charged with dispensing intoxicants in Indian country for providing beer or vodka to four people between November and March in Kyle. (more…)

Published Saturday, September 26, 2009
BY KEVIN ABOUREZK
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

A state senator suggested limiting the amount of alcohol sold in Whiteclay during a legislative hearing held Friday to determine whether more should be done to address alcohol sales and use there.

“I tell you right now I support that,” said Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha. “I think we ought to do it soon and move on from there.” (more…)

Published Saturday September 26, 2009
BY PAUL HAMMEL
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

LINCOLN — The state has a moral obligation to restrict or end alcohol sales in the border town of Whiteclay.

That was the message Friday from activists calling for a crackdown on liquor outlets in the town. (more…)

Published Friday, September 25, 2009
BY NATE JENKINS
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

As Nebraska lawmakers gathered Friday at the state Capitol talk about how to help his alcohol-drenched town, which has vexed politicians, local American Indians and activists for decades, Lance Moss let out a groan in Whiteclay.

He’s heard it all before.

“I get so sick of the same old rhetoric from people who visit here once a year and walk around,” then try to solve its problems, said Moss, owner of Whiteclay Grocery. “Have you ever heard of anyone solving an alcoholic’s problem for them? People need to make a conscience choice to change their way of living.” (more…)

Published Friday September 25, 2009
BY FRED KNAPP
NET Radio (Nebraska Public Radio)

LINCOLN, NE — Beer sales from Nebraska panhandle town Whiteclay to the nearby Pine Ridge Indian Reservation are down. But the problem may just have shifted to other Nebraska communities, and is being fueled by bootleggers, state senators were told today. LISTEN TO THE BROADCAST.

Published Thursday September 24, 2009
BY FRED KNAPP
NET Radio (Nebraska Public Radio)

LINCOLN, NE — Dealing with alcohol problems in the panhandle village of Whiteclay, near the Pine Ridge Indian reservation, will be the subject of a hearing at the Capitol on Friday. Karpisek, General Affairs Committee chairman, wants to consider using tax proceeds from beer to fund alcohol treatment for Native Americans. LISTEN TO THE BROADCAST.

Published Wednesday September 23, 2009
BY KEVIN ABOUREZK
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

A trip to Whiteclay in March by two state senators, the attorney general and a state liquor control commissioner has led to hearings on whether more should be done to address alcohol sales and use there. (more…)