What Life On A Native American Reservation Is Really Like 

I was raised on the Navajo reservation by my grandparents. I was raised without running water or electricity, we were entirely self sufficient, we raised livestock, made firewood, hauled water from a mountain spring & built everything by hand. Some people will look at the way I grew up as poor or that the work was hard, which it was but those are some of my best memories! To this day, my grandparents still live on the reservation, they still tend livestock & they are happy despite not having electricity or running water. That life taught me alot about work ethic & being independent as I currently have my own business, while also pursuing my BS in business as a fulltime student & single mom. That way of life can teach someone alot.

How can this be allowed to happen in a modern country? How is it okay for a certain group of people to live under such conditions? Everyone deserves clean water, access to education and protection under the law. This is just sickening.

I wrote a paper in my Bachelor of Science in Nursing program about at-risk populations and I chose the topic of Native Americans on Reservations. I specifically researched the Pine Ridge Reservation population and was able to communicate with two people who have family living on Reservation Land. It truly broke my heart to hear the stories and realize the stories are reality! Not only that, but those things are happening in 2022! We all need to do something to make a difference to our fellow Americans!

I may not be a Native American I can agree that you guys certainly didn’t deserve the cruelty you had in your history, and you should all deserve the same rights.

I live on the Navajo Rez and this presentation is spot on. Ahe'hee' for bringing more awareness to Indigenous Americans. Yá’át’ééh Abiní from The Wild SouthWest.

I grew up on a reservation in Southern California, it was hard we didn’t have a lot as far as toys went , as kids we had acres to run and play on, we didn’t have a park or playground to play on, but we had caves to explore, my brothers and I lived with my grandparents, we were better off as far as food and meat went and my grandparents always shared with other family members, grandpa had a huge garden and everyone was welcome to take what they needed. You showed a picture of Russell Means and Dennis Banks, two of the founders of AIM, which is American Indian Movement. Sad fact is another founder of AIM, Leonard Peltier is still in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, he’s been there since the 1070’s. You failed to mention Native Americans weren’t actually recognized by the government until June 2,1924 that’s when they decided we were citizens

This is truly sad. The US have committed some terrible crimes all out of greed and conquest 🙏🏾🙏🏾 Prayers going up

Over 10k children’s bodies have been found in the last year or so collectively on Canada residential schools’ sites. Canadian history of the treatment of Indigenous peoples is heartbreaking. I love the layout of your guys’ videos, and as a Canadian teacher, I’d love to have a video on that topic.

How nice of the government to let them live on the land that belonged to the indigenous in the first place. They have been so wronged since day one. Many are still without electricity or running water to this day.

THANK YOU!!! Living on the rez IS like living in a 3rd world country, at least what’s I’ve lived through and seen on the Navajo rez. No one seems to wanna talk about this. Although brief, I appreciate Weird History for even attempting to broach the subject and for bringing attention to this aspect of American history and the resulting/continuing disparities.

If any group deserves reparations for past and current injustices, it is the native American. I visited an Indian reservation in northern Wisconsin and saw firsthand the deplorable conditions these people are living under. The native people have been put out of sight and out of mind for 150 years.

My babysitter/occasional guardian lived on a reservation in Idaho while my usual guardians lived just outside of it. Rez life was wild but the community helped make everything feel comforting and like home. It'd often be me and 9 others in a one bedroom trailer with no plumbing but on the reservation we'd live in an actual house with running water but there'd be 17 of us and we'd often have to deal with the dogs running around. A lot of years were spent with just us kids making it through the day with only one meal in the evening but whenever someone was around we'd listen to lots of stories, learn skills, and have some actual support

I’m honestly shocked to learn they live such a shoddy existence. That’s pretty bad when people who commit crimes get better care and treatment than Native Americans.

Hit the nail right on the head. I'm from the navajo nation and I moved to Florida. Only twice in my life did my tribe give me "free" money and that was due to C19. I want to go home but there's really nothing out there.

In the 1970s, I grew up on the Eastern Navajo Reservation. I guess we were more fortunate than many families around us. They look to us for help. Money, community events, elder contributions, livestock, ranch, etc. We had sports events, summer fun for kids, swimming lessons, crafts, meals, and much more for kids. I visited my old community 2yrs ago, it has slowly deteriorated over time. The old 6 bedroom house gone. Dust blown. Sad. Unfamiliar faces replace. Remembering the families once were. 😢

Im from the Salish tribe in Montana and this is super accurate! So many facts in here. I moved off the rez because I wanted a better life and I couldn't find one on the rez. Now I deal with Tribal and State jurisdiction issues because I'm a member of the rez. I'm pretty much a person without a country or citizenship. My tribe can't help because I live off the rez and the state won't help because I'm a tribal member haha... Im referring to law, health, stuff not financial help... But if I asked for that I'd have the same problem 😣 I'm stuck in Jurisdiction Purgatory

I grew up on the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Reservation in South Dakota, and it was such a depressing state. People would talk about escaping the rez but very few do, most get stuck by teenage pregnancy, discrimination in the workforce sends them back home, and poor education makes it extremely difficult to pursue a higher education. I remember alot of people say "It's bad but at least we're not Pine Ridge" Another reservation worth talking about is Rosebud. The sex and drug trafficking through there is horrendous. I doubt you could find a woman there who hasn't either been sexually assaulted or knows a close family member who has. It's so tragic, and on top of all that, in my experience, the council that runs the rez is very corrupt and full of nepotism and "skimming" of funds

So heartbreaking and frustrating. We have the same problems here in Canada. No infastructure on the rez, abject poverty, substance abuse, and no hope leading to disturbingly high suicide rates. The government can afford an army of beauracrats but cannot afford to insulate homes. 😡

I live on the Navajo Nation. No running water, no grid electricity to the house. I use solar. Life for is not too bad, I'm comfortable. My concern is the U. S. Government position on abandon mines that still kill people through cancer... But spot on video.

100 billion for Ukraine but still don't have drinking water many U.S peoples

Thank you for bringing attention to all this!! I grew up on the Navajo Reservation as a half-navajo kid, I remember moving to a “”regular”” neighborhood off-rez when i was 11 and shocked by people having actual running water in the house. I’ve even met people that think natives aren’t really around anymore (ie “ancient” indian burial ground nonsense). So, thank you for helping educate people!

Please make morevideos about Native Americans. It is a travesty that many people have no idea about what happened and continues to happen to them. One of the best (and most heartbreaking) courses I took in college (as an elective, mind you) was Native American history.

This is so heartbreaking, Ronald Reagan said it best- “The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.” I don’t know why Native Americans would choose live on a reservation, Federal government does not care one bit about the people they’ve placed there.

It’s the same here in Canada. Sad 😢. I believe that if all of us work together, it can get better ❤️‍🩹. Our Indigenous People are an excellent example of perseverance, humility, loving 🥰 history, and compassion. Their sacred ceremonies and traditions will save Mother Earth 🌎. I wish you and your families peace, health, and happiness. 😌🙏🏽🌺💭🕊🧘🏽‍♀️🧘🏽‍♂️❤️‍🔥🌐❇️🕉☯️🫂🥰 I post daily on Linked in.

The DAWES act was literally designed to fracture tribes and destroy the tribe as a social unit. That was not an unintentional whoopsie side effect. It was one of the main goals.

This is something serious the us public school system failed to teach. I only found out a few years ago how bad the conditions were and was appalled that the us government has failed to take care of them and straight up don’t care. It’s so ironic to see ads to donate money to less unfortunate countries that don’t have clean water when we can’t even help the people here.

Very important fact you briefly mentioned. The Dakota Access Pipeline was "rerouted" through native lands. It originally was routed close to Bismarck. The white population in the city objected to its location so the line was rerouted through native lands. To me, this is most important fact. The white population was able to object and the line was moved. Native people objected to the new route and the their wishes are ignored. It is like being kicked to the ground and than spat upon.

I personally went to hualapai and got to meet some native Americans I was so shocked to see how this people struggle and how the government treats them the kids look very needy I almost cried these people have such great hearts and they are very smart but the government has them forgotten, they burly have health insurance I was talking to one if the members of the hualapai tribe and they walk me thru their tribe omg these people need so much help some of their houses look like their about to fall apart homeless people in Chicago live better then the native Americans it’s sad I cried so much cause they should receive more help those are the real Americans the real troopers and are the ones who have less me and my fiancé we talk to the member of the tribe we returning back on march and we will sit and talk to their chief of the tribe to see what we can offer them to help them improve their needs we doing this cause they deserve it just like any other tribe does…. I hope there was more people that wanted to help and we could all get together and help this people cause they do not need to struggle at all ! We need to help them specially the kids hualapai has a learning center for kids where they show them about their history and show them how to make pots and all that stuff show them songs I would love to see all of that.

Could you please create a video about the life of Indigenous children in residential schools in the US and Canada? It’s important to realize that the federal governments committed genocide!

My family is part native. I have 2nd and 3rd cousins that live on reservations in South Dakota. Yankton and Rosebud are like visiting a 3rd world country in some parts. If you look into the history of how the reservations and Native people have been treated, even since they've been given reservations, it really seems like the government really doesn't give a shit about these people they completely screwed over. While as far as minorities in the US goes, I really feel like Native Americans are part of a group of people not often talked about. Thank you Weird History for using your platform to talk this.

I am angry and sadded by the continued abuse the Government has heaped upon the few remaining Native Americans tribes. The Government takes and takes and takes mostly by force.

People in prison receiving better health care then people in reservations is not right, totally wrong and should be fixed with priority.

Even in 2022, finding adequate historical content on the experience of indigenous North Americans is difficult; It’s literally been scrubbed from our collective narrative. It wasn’t until I was in high school and started to independently consume historical content that I conceptualized the vastness of the effects of colonization. I'm grateful for this video and definitely want more. Geronimo authored a biography during his lifetime! It's filled with vivid tidbits about the American Indian Wars, documents his social experiences with his tribe, and contains intimate details about his life and relationships. One could make a million videos on the subject, it’s enlightening.

IDK why but I cried. This channel did a good synopsis, and I felt it was respectful because normally we hear the jokes (which we all love) but this time it was straight forward. People so need to hear about whats really going on and why it is so difficult for some of our ppl to get up.

I feel so ashamed that this is still going on now no person should not ever go through something like. It doesn't matter if you are an American or not . We as people should do better we need to do better.I know we can't turn back time . But to make a change we will have to fight for that... 🦋🦋🦋🦋✊🏽

Many Thankyous and great Respect for the Producer of this clip!! Blessings!!

There’s a lot of heartbreak and ugliness due to poverty, crime and substance abuse on reservations, but there is also so much beauty, passion and spiritual life there as well

You guys DEFINITELY need to do an episode on the dreadfully horrendous Canadian Residential schools .Most see Canadia ass this easy going country but boy oh boy are they wrong (especially lately)😮

I have never liked John Wayne since he said, in a Playboy interview, how selfish it was of the Indians to have occupied land that was needed for homes and farms for good American people.

My dad’s side immigrated to Arkansas from Scandinavia several generations ago and moved next to a rez that has since been liquidated due to all the Qwuapaw tribe having moved out or been bred out of existence. 21 years ago, when I was 12, my dad brought me to his childhood home and brought me to the rez, of which some of my family had moved on to after marrying natives. His intention was to show me true backwoods poverty. Bar none, weirdest place I've ever been to. My uncle and his native friend made a living by stripping the infinitesimal amount of gold out of old computers and because there are no rules or cops on the rez, they just tossed them into giant piles all over the woods, so that if you drove around, you'd just see dozens and dozens of twenty foot tall computer-pyramids between giant, untouched stands off trees. I got to meet one of my cousins who was half native. She was 12, obese, and chain smoking the entire time and told me where to buy drugs. While this was going on, my uncle showed my dad his "new house he built that he was about to move into." It was just cinder blocks, empty holes where the windows should have been, an exposed toilet that didn't work, and no plumbing. When my dad asked him when he thought it'd be done, he said, "it is done!" The rez is another world.

Thanks you highlighting this complicated issue in an easy to understand way. One of great unjust, it is sad it still continues

I live on the Wind River Reservation in WY and it's sad to see Arapahoe and Shoshoni still fighting to this day. I'm surprised that the video didn't mention how many indigenous women go missing every year. How the government has murdered so many Native Americans for no reason just because they're different.

This is absolutely heartbreaking our Nations people should be put first.I can't stand the government 💔My great grandmother lived on the Rez My grandfather left and the knowledge about the situation wasn't shared because he died in a accident when my Dad was nine years old... Heartbreaking

It was very revealing to me what life on the Rez means for our indigenious peoples. All that is shared in this video is fact. I have seen it first hand. We must return to love and respect for Mother Earth and all her children worldwide. Bring Love Peace and Harmony. Follow Natures Way flourish!!!

The government has succeeded in tearing apart the Native Americans. It’s a double edged sword in this scenario, stay and keep the Native American culture alive but live in despair, or leave and gain the education and money to live a decent, sustainable life but lose out on the culture of your tribe. What has been done to this land is disastrous and we are going to continue until there is no more. The land should have remained the way it was ( in the hands of the Native Americans) and the world would have had a fighting chance.

could y'all do a video on how the manhattan project led to the pollution of tons of navajo land, making it virtually unliveable? I think it's a topic more people should know about

I know it was a different time, but the way we treated the Native Americans is shameful. Especially considering that we likely wouldn’t have made it through our first winter in America if not for them. I donate my kids like new clothes and toys to the Indian schools. Because, idk, it just seems like a better use for them than alternatives. I feel like the injustice done to the Native Americans is not something we talk about enough. Thanks for the video!

Our history books are way past due for updates.....real Life in this blessed land. TY you for taking such great care of this place 👍

It sucks, when you look at some of those reservations out there, they’re so rural there’s no economies. Only ranching jobs. But here in CT, they got us back with the casinos. Which we all willing donate our money to the tables and slot machines.

One of the worst crimes in human history. And still ongoing.

So much wealth exists and still so many indigenous Americans suffer.

It's painful to a people to have some other people come and take away everything they had and now they are the poorest people in the land living under those that meet them there I pray that one day the creator will make everything right

I met several Native Americans when I served in the US Army. Little Whiteman was in my battalion. (Field Artillery - mechanized) He was a hard worker with a great sense of humor. I met some of his family later. Last name Morning Owl. I don't remember her name but she too was a valuable person in her unit. This was in the 80's, Ft Riley Kansas. I never knew things were this horrible on the Rez. 🌅❤🙏 Thanks for posting this video.

I was adopted out of the meskwaki reservation and had no idea how prone natives are to said health issues thank you for bringing this to light 🤝

Let’s learn about the spent uranium that is buried on the Navajo reservation. My dad played on these mounds as a kid not knowing how dangerous it was. He ended up with a rare blood cancer.

We have treated them worse than any other people group. This is heartbreaking. They deserve the same opportunities as any other American has, including running water that is safe to drink, employment and opportunities to better their living conditions.. I find this appalling that our country has allowed this for so long.

At a very young age my wife's great grandmother was shipped off to a faith based wash the native away boarding school in Wisconsin. Her great grandmother would be in her thirties before finding out she was native. One of many personal tragedies I've heard about my wife's side of the family.

Hey man- I've been watching your videos since you started out and I just wanna say thanks for making this episode particularly. I freelance on documenting history of indigenous/colonial relations here in Canada for about a decade now and know our system like the back of my hand. America though, I've never delved into in terms of their laws against the indigenous communities. I know the jist and points here and there but you gave me some new info! Also I hope more Americans can see your video, as the struggle of reserves/residential (industrial) schools/intergenerational trauma seems to always be at the back of the nation's mind.

It's sad how these people have been treated, and should never have happened to begin with.

This is beyond sad. It absolutely breaks my heart to know that people are being treated this way here in this country.

Such is the burden of history, knowing too much about the horrors of the world. I honestly held back tears through this (the video was great and well done) because this is reality and most Americans either don't know or don't care.

It’s a shameful part of our history. These indigenous people are and have always been treated very poorly.

This is so freaking sad. We STILL haven't help these indigenous ppl! Shameful. I 💜 that the children are being taught their native tongue. These ppl have such a rich culture, don't lose it 💜

This video shows the stark reality of what has happened to our original Americans. The Indigenous people deserve better. 🌹

It would be interesting to see how many times treaties were renegotiated. And how much land was lost when resources that were profitable were found. I am not surprised that living conditions are bad. Most reservations are on the land that nobody wanted because it would have been too difficult to make and maintain habitation.

I used to live in a reservation in Southern CA. Conditions were awful. There was no casino, so the tribe was broke and only had about 300 members. Nothing was walking distance. The nearest store was a gas station that was about 4 or 5 miles away. Everyone was so dispersed and because of that, it was easier to get away with things. It was like the Wild West. Drugs, alcohol, violence and corruption was rampant. Tribal cops were either drunk or on drugs while on duty. Counsel members would embezzle money. Also, since everyone was mostly related to each other, incest was something that also happened frequently, resulting in some children being born with disabilities. Children would often be taken away and place into foster care. My wife, now ex, and I were going to have the tribe build us a house up there, but I'm glad I didn't end up staying.

Nothing you said surprised me. I appreciate how you backed up your statements with facts. For example, you spoke of lack of health care. Another thought for a title may be “CRT for dummies”.

I can't see a video of our First Nation Americans without feeling sick to my stomach with guilt. Not because of anything I did personally but because of the suffering these people have gone through and I rarely hear them make a fuss. They should be treasured and given anything they want.

While it has been many a year, when I was younger I was honored and blessed to stay on a few Reservations and see into life there. This video is a great primer for a major injustice here in the so-called Land of the Free. The way these people have been treated, the way that they have to live, is SHAMEFUL, and yes, Black Lives Matter, but so do First Nation Lives, and if my black brothers and sisters think that they are oppressed these days, I ask them to each go spend a couple of months on one of the major Rez's. Nobody should be proud to be an American once they see how the first people living here are still being treated today, let alone historically. While I'm up on my soap box I will also add that one of the Manson Family AND John Hinkley were released this month, yet Leonard Peltier STILL ROTS IN PRISON ON A CRIME IT HAS NEVER BEEN PROVEN HE COMMITTED. What the hell, America?

I saw a billboard by the interstate in or near NM about 10 years ago that showed Natives smiling and it said "Don't Meth With Us". Even the way Natives are treated in Canada is sad. Since the around 70's i heard the kids were stripped from their family and put into religious schools.

Thank you for this video. I am part Cherokee. I UNDENIABLY UNDERSTAND HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY'S BEGINNINGS. MUCH LOVE TO OUR NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLES. ❤️

I live near the Yakama Rez. Mine is in SD. I do ceremony, powwow and sweat with them. This is more accurate than other programs. It’s appalling how our people especially….children & elders live. The Government never thought there would still be Indian blood here. I am an elder and grew up when “ a good Indian was a dead Indian”. My tribe has gone through two Wounded Knees. Free Lenard Peltier! The FBI lied and we died. Proud to be Lakota!

Thank you for this. I am so glad to hear the respect in this clip. This is a very similar story for Indigenous Australians. We call “our” reservations Missions (mish). Spent a lot of school hols on a mish with my cousins. My mum grew up on one basically a tin shack with a dirt floor. There are a lot of similarities and some differences as well. Thank you highlighting this, in a way that makes no light of the seriousness of these issues.

So let me get this straight. They needed needed a law to be able to practice their religion, spirituality, and teach their native language ON THEIR LAND. On God, the United States legit ain't shit.

It amazes me that our government can’t provide running water that’s drinkable for everyone in the United States,

The tribes where I lived have massive casinos that take in enough money to pay every person in the tribe enough money to live without working. They have the best businesses, property values, and live better than the average non tribal person in the same area. It seems like this depends greatly on what tribe you're a member of, where you live, etc.

Like they haven’t already suffered enough in history. Sad they still have to struggle so much.

I grew up on the Navajo rez in the four corners area, I can confirm all this as true! They need better infrastructure, internet access, health access, and so much more. The culture is rich, but so many leave because of lack of access to better opportunities and basic living standards. Also, too many kids have been separated from their families through adoption and fostering. These kids get adopted by white families who basically white wash them. I have seen this first hand with friends I have had outside of the rez that were adopted by white families. Weird history, please make more native American vids! Maybe more about Navajo code talkers or more about the Indian removal act and how that played out across the country!

This is heart breaking to see. God bless them all. ❤️🙏🏻

A+ video! Very eye-opening overview of Reservation life and extremely helpful for understanding the lifestyle!

It amazes me that non-native Americans always complain about natives making $ off casinos. We literally gave them the worst land, with little to no natural resources, and they innovated and some are doing quite well. Provides them at least some jobs and opportunity.

It's worth mentioning that on top of all of the everyday difficulties, some reservations have also exhausted all available resources in efforts to protect their lands from oil and natural gas companies.

Wow… all of this is so sad and there are so many shitty conditions. A super-rich country should be able to share awareness and support indigenous people of America!

Yes. Thank you for sharing this info. Being sent to Girl's Ranch in Phoenix, back in the 80's, for running away from home too much, I lived with 9 other girls for a year. 2 were Native American and the rumor was they just couldn't be home alone at the time (not given a foster family instead?) whereas, all the others were delinquents, like me. And I can attest to the beauty of their culture bc they were sweet tempered, kind and made the best fry bread. But, the rest of the girls called them names and peed on their pillows. It was so sad. I'm not trying to incite anything negative now, just stating the facts of what I saw back then.

It hurts my soul to see my brothers and sisters living the way they have to. My great grandmother was blessed enough to be able to leave once she was married. It was even more difficult when she was born in the late 1800s. Sad

Let’s be honest: topics like this one are why “certain people” don’t want real American history taught in American classrooms. America has only been great in its entirety to a select a few; everyone else had to accept whatever’s left. “We don’t want white students feeling bad about their background” as if African Americans, native Americans, Irish, Italian, etc students feel amazing when their group is mentioned in history class.

From the Fort Hall Rez much respect bro! 👍

My heart bleeds for them. I think it is shocking that they have to live in conditions like that. The government should take more interest. On a lighter note, I just want to say I always find them such handsome people and the hair...

As a Lakota from Pine Ridge,currently living in Washington state, I can relate to many things that are brought up in your video. Well done job in such a short time. Wopila.

Thank you!! Please make more videos on Native Americans, we are so very much still here and not a thing of the past. Learning about life on the rez is so important, and so much more should be common knowledge. Love this channel sm

What surprises me the most is the authors lack of mentioning the native American wonderful horsemanship and craftsmanship in arts.

Love all my Indigenous people❤️‍🔥💚7️⃣🦅southEast to thy west

That is horrible what was done to the Native Americans. Grieves my heart.

I grew up next to a reservation. It seems like they were full of dilapidated houses and cars. High drug and alcohol use and casinos! Seems like a lot of the girls go missing too.

Watching this video, there are many stark similarities to Australia's shameful treatment of the indigenous people. Lower life expectancy, by decades, than white people. Extreme poverty, lack of sufficient healthcare, erasure of culture and on and on. We've taken steps to address these issues, but not nearly enough, and not nearly as quickly as is needed. One thing I do think is great however, is the introduction of Aboriginal languages into primary and secondary schools. All the kids learning together is a great way for them to learn about the rich and unique culture of the people whose land they live on. It's not in every school yet, but I love that it's available.

When I came to US from South America 9 years ago, I felt like I was an introuder to the land, that I needed to ask for an spiritual permission or something like that. Today during a small prayer, the Narive Americans came to my mind, I felt I owned part of what I have to the owners of this land, I always felt this is theirs and I am part of a society that segregated them from their whole naturate. I asked God and mother earth for mercy and forgiveness 🙏 on behalf of all humans that have done this to them and their children People, nature is alive, trees, hills lakes, rivers, stones, they know everything. Remember no happiness can be build over grieving. I really hope a new generation comes to rectitude Indian Americans with 💜💕💞 God bless all humans 🙏

I am Oglala Sioux. My mother and most of her 8 brothers and sisters grew up in Pine Ridge, SD. Although my mom and her siblings moved away, a very large number of my family still live on the Rez. We visited some family in Pine Ridge, and let me tell you, I wouldn't wish this type of living condition on anyone.

Please clarify that a lot of the violence against these Indigenous women often comes from the hands of non-Indigenous men. That’s why the Nations have a hard time prosecuting the offenders. As you mentioned, they aren’t allowed to prosecute the non-Indigenous.

I'm on SSR -731 a month and it was just raised to that. A lot of us live on sub-par income.

America is your land! You are the real masters of the entire continent! I read your story with pain in my heart. I'm sorry that you were treated unfairly. If there is a God, he will repay you for injustice. Be stylish! Greetings from Russia.