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 Tuesday Aug 17, 2010 / Updated Thursday Aug 19, 2010
INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include a clarification of the position of the governor’s office on the matter of jurisdiction over the town of Whiteclay. The governor’s office does not respond to nor speak on behalf of political parties. (more…)

Published Tuesday Aug 17, 2010
By STEPHANIE WOODARD
INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

LINCOLN, Neb. – Crime in the town of Whiteclay, Neb., which sells some four million cans of beer and malt liquor annually, almost entirely to Oglala Sioux Tribe members from the dry Pine Ridge Reservation, is not Nebraska’s responsibility, said Ashley Cradduck, spokeswoman for the state’s governor, Dave Heineman, a Republican. “The Indians are coming from Pine Ridge, and that’s in South Dakota.” (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 Tuesday April 27, 2010
BY PAUL HAMMEL
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

LINCOLN — Officials hope a weekend cleanup in the notorious border town of Whiteclay, Neb., will lead to more cleanups and a renewed effort to increase law enforcement. (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
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 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 29, 2010
BY PAUL HAMMEL
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

LINCOLN — State lawmakers advanced a trimmed-down spending package to help address the alcohol-related woes associated with Whiteclay, Neb. (more…)