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 Sunday July 18, 2010
BY MARY GARRIGAN
RAPID CITY JOURNAL

WHITECLAY, Neb. — Business is booming in Whiteclay, and it’s not just the 4.6 million cans of beer sold there last year.

Many people know Whiteclay as the small, unincorporated village on the border of Nebraska and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, a tiny spot on the map with a big alcohol problem. It’s where four beer stores sold 191,649 cases of beer in 2009, according to the Nebraska Liquor Commission. That translates into about 4.6 million cans. (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 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 Wednesday April 14, 2010
BT RYAN R. DUDZINSKI
THE READER (Omaha, Neb.)

BELLEVUE, NEB. — On a cold, rainy April 7 morning, Native American flute music drifted through the Humanities auditorium at Bellevue University. People have gathered for a panel discussion about Whiteclay, Neb., the tiny, unincorporated group of buildings on the border of South Dakota from which members of the neighboring Pine Ridge Indian Reservation purchase staggering amounts of alcoholic beverages annually. Typically, high unemployment — near 80% on the reservation itself — mixed with plentiful alcohol is a recipe for disaster, and Whiteclay is no exception. Rampant crime, vagrancy, gang activity, prostitution, and vandalism plague the Reservation and its surrounding areas. It has gained national recognition as a chronic tragedy, dating to at least the 1960s, which nobody seems willing to resolve. (more…)

Published Monday April 12, 2010
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Some Nebraska lawmakers call it a measly sum that won’t do much. Others call it a start in trying to ease problems in and near Whiteclay.

On Monday, they gave final approval to a bill (LB1002) that, if approved by Gov. Dave Heineman, would set aside $25,000 and allow the state to hire a grant writer at a cost of about $31,000. (more…)

Published Tuesday March 30, 2010
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

LINCOLN (AP) Early momentum toward using a substantial chunk of Nebraska tax money to try to ease alcohol-related problems in and near Whiteclay, Neb., mostly fizzled out Monday.

Citing a lack of clear strategy and participation from other government entities, including the State of South Dakota, Nebraska lawmakers backed off plans to put $100,000 in a fund to help address problems in and near the village of 14. The Legislature instead gave second-round approval to allocating $25,000 and hiring a grant writer, which would cost roughly $40,000 more. (more…)

Published Monday March 1, 2010
BY PAUL HAMMEL
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

LINCOLN — State lawmakers advanced a plan Monday to address the alcohol-related woes associated with Whiteclay, Neb., but only after there was a promise to strip out its $250,000 cost. (more…)

Published Wednesday  February 17, 2010
BY NANCY HICKS
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

Senators are likely to debate legislation that would provide money to help with alcohol problems of people who buy their booze at Whiteclay.

The Legislature’s Revenue Committee moved one bill (LB1002) out of committee Wednesday, and its sponsor, Sen. LeRoy Louden of Ellsworth, said he likely will make it his priority bill — assuring discussion on the floor. (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…)