A community already struggling with economic distress is just one step away from disaster. The federal government’s imposition of new work requirements has already shrunk Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, exacerbating the issue. Residents, such as 59-year-old Katherine Water and her brother Nathaniel Waters, are impacted by harsh realities. Their continued reference bound resources are immediately tested as they face a growing tide of poverty and unemployment, which has reached over 80% in some districts.
Katherine Water, a 63-year-old disabled great-grandmother, is impeded from making the four-mile journey to Buche Foods for groceries. She often relies on others for rides or walks, despite having seven screws and a metal plate in one of her legs. Nathaniel and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren make up her close-knit family, and they too are feeling the loss. They do their best with four to six cases of food provided from local spiritual and community resources that last about that many days.
Now the entire community is hit with an even higher level of pain from the shutdown of the federal government. This increased demand has stretched local food assistance programs and resources thin. The Conscious Alliance Food Sovereignty Center helps between 90 to 100 households on a daily basis. With recent cuts to SNAP benefits, millions of families now find themselves closer to the edge than ever before.
Struggles of Daily Life
Katherine Water’s story is just one example of what many local people go through every single day. As the winter months approach, she plans for repairs on her home to be completed, but understands that due to financial limitations, this is not possible.
“I get it, money is hard to come by for all of us,” she said. “That’s the reason I try to charge less,” she says. However, without money to address materials, she worries she won’t be able to make her home a safe place to live.
“Any kind of little money I get, if I ain’t buying material, batting or sheets, we ain’t gonna have nothing,” – Katherine Water
Katherine’s concerns extend beyond her own welfare. She fears for the fundamental cornerstones that millions of American families are on the verge of losing.
“We ain’t gonna have no lights. We ain’t gonna have no phone to call out in case of emergency,” – Katherine Water
Nathaniel Waters hasn’t had a steady job since January—a stark reality that illuminates the bleak employment picture in their community. The scarcity of opportunity has them feeling defeated, just like his children’s counterparts in Mississippi.
“So, I have to just get on it,” – Katherine Water
Challenges of Employment
Chiffon Two Bulls, another resident grappling with the same aforementioned hardships, lives in a trailer. This trailer was produced for FEMA by the National Center for Disaster Preparedness. Her house was heavily impacted when a combination of heavy snow and persistent rain led to her roof collapsing. Today, she supports herself entirely through beadwork. Despite casting a wide net to apply for everything she can find, she has just taken on no further work.
At every turn, her efforts to get into these jobs have been in vain.
“You have to show up on Monday, be there before eight, and they take three, four people to work – and that’s for the week,” – Chiffon Two Bulls
The impact of this cut to SNAP has been devastating for millions of families. For Chiffon, the impact is personal.
“So, I just stopped going because I never got picked,” – Chiffon Two Bulls
The prevailing mood of residents is anger toward public policy that adds to their hardship. Frank Star Comes Out conveys this feeling beautifully, reminding us of a long legacy of colonial violence against Indigenous communities.
“It’s really going to hurt a lot of families; a lot of people depend on it like myself, my kids,” – Chiffon Two Bulls
Community Resilience Amidst Adversity
He contends that these actions are symptomatic of larger forces at work that are destroying his community.
“Our people gave up land so that [the US government] can make millions and millions and billions of dollars off it, but you cannot live up to your treaty obligations,” – Frank Star Comes Out
The challenges overtaking people’s daily lives are made worse by government action — or lack thereof — that refuses to accept and understand this new normal. When Anna Halverson articulates her fear of the effects of today’s policies, she gives voice to more than just a personal anguish.
“There’s something wrong with that,” – Frank Star Comes Out
The hardships faced by residents are compounded by government decisions that fail to acknowledge their reality. Anna Halverson voices a common sentiment when she expresses her concerns regarding the impact of current policies.
“Why can’t [the government] see that this turmoil is causing chaos to our reservations, who are already living through chaos,” – Anna Halverson