POV

10/10/09

What has happened since this trailer was made? I am learning about your dilemma and trying to figure out how I may help but I am financially burdened also but I have great hope that some day soon I can help.

I hope to hear from you.

by Red Fox from South Elgin, IL
October 10, 2009, 8:34 PM

Bury Your Reps With Hemp Cultivation Requests

See the states that have so far legalized the cultivation and watch this recent protest at the DEA.
http://www.votehemp.com/state.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGkDovjAl6Y&feature=player_embedded

by dael
October 24, 2009, 11:00 PM

Plume Family

Americas treatment of the native Americans is outrageous.I'm going to send the Plume family a check today.Wish I had more to send.I'm in awe of their resilience Maris Boyd

by maris boyd from southbury, ct
November 4, 2009, 9:46 AM

Searching for Ways

I am deeply saddened by this story. The saddness is not only for this family but the other atrocities done to the first peoples on this land. We now share this land(no matter how it happened, it is horrble but we need to work to make it better). Their problems are ours too. Why can't these facts be aired on some of the famous talk show hosts and shown to the people nationwide? We see bizarre stories at times such as a "pregnant man", and makeovers for housewives and living spaces. Let's shine the spotlight on folks who are trying to LIVE on this earth day to day. They don't want to be rockstars, they want to make their own way and work to get it.One appearance on the most famous talk show would make a difference.Unfortunately that seems the way to go. thank you

by Suzannek from Greensburg, Pa
November 4, 2009, 10:03 AM

frustrated

i loved the show and the point that it came from. The loss of common sense and human decency has created more problems for all but it makes life almost impossible for those who just want to live a happy and harmonious life. i was shocked by the verdict of the judge even after his common sense question "how many permits have been issued in the U.S.? (none) and " you can import it but not grow it?" (why?), He sounded like the rest of us who are frustrated at the way things are going in this country. The strength that Alex and those around him have is amazing, i will tell everyone i know about their story and will follow it closely.

by Brandon Janson from phoenix, az
November 4, 2009, 11:01 AM

Industrialized hemp is not a drug! I hope the Oglala Sioux and other tribes continue to grow this economically viable crop on their sovereign lands. It is ludicrous the U.S. imports hemp products but does not allow Americans to support themselves and their families through growth of this product.

by Anon from Fairbanks, AK
November 4, 2009, 3:06 PM

indiginous people have earned soverinty

It is time for the hypocracy of the united states to be exposed for what it really is. A government of greed. This government has allowed large corporations to obtain licences and permits to mine and rape our native americans peoples and create areas of contamination that brings death to fertile lands, contaminate waters, and fails to mandate employment opportunities to the true owners of the land. We need to refocus and stop being gate keepers around the world and work to secure our own production of meaningful resources such as hemp production and concentrate our efforts on renewable resources. Reservation lands for the most part is ideal for this and a great place to get back to "justice for all". start.

by jim from tucson, az.
November 4, 2009, 8:34 PM

Time to Keep Our Promises

I was disgusted, saddened and enlightened by the "Standing Silent Nation" program aired tonight on PBS World. It is time for the US government and its people to allow all Native Americans the freedoms that were promised them over 100 years ago in treaties (Fort Laramie Treaty, 1868). These people were promised the right to govern themselves and to exist autonomously. They've held up their end of the treaty the US government has not. They should be allowed to grow whatever they want, when they want, and how they want. We should encourage and help them to become self-sufficient and productive. I find it amazing that people of a sovereign nation within our borders are treated like this by our government. Shame on us for allowing this to happen and not honoring our commitments and promises.

by Greg from Tucson, AZ
November 5, 2009, 1:25 AM

I Want To Help

I was extremely moved by this film. I have always felt America's first people were treated wrongly and have always had an intense desire to help uplift them, but how? Here you have a group of people striving to be self-sufficient and all our government can do is knock them down. America has become a country of greed. Industrialized hemp is not a drug! Seriously does the DEA NOT have more serious crimes to busy themselves with? Our nation is out of control yet we nit-pik on the stupid stuff. I am not financially well-off but what can I do to help America's Natives?

by Denise from Brooklawn, NJ from Brooklawn, NJ
November 5, 2009, 1:29 AM

I'm sorry to be hearing about this issue for the first time. A current report would be helpful to supporters of the Lakota people who might want to help in some say. Is any member of Congress sympathetic? Has anyone introduced legislation? My Dad grew hemp in Illinois during World War II, subsidized by the government. The real marijuana grows in abundance in California now. Seems impossible that Lakota people can't grow this crop.

by Mary Ziegenhagen from Cloverdale, CA
November 6, 2009, 1:09 AM

Enough Already!

As if we have not already put these people through enough anguish, our government is at it again! Our politicians can not be so obtuse as to actually believe that hemp is a drug. Their opposition is surely based on racism. It is outrageous. YOU WOULD THINK the federal government would encourage these underprivileged people getting a leg up, but no. Since when has our government ever done that? Through it all, these kind, intelligent, patient, long-suffering Americans maintain their dignity. I wish all Native Americans could become rich on the tears of gambling addicted white men. They certainly deserve it!

by susan clark from sebastopol, ca
November 6, 2009, 1:50 AM

For the Lakota Brother's and Sister's...

Tho i am Blackfoot... I stand with you.. I also feel the wasicu's have no place on our land's.. i think the native people need to stand together it is time our prophecies are coming to be..

Stand strong .... my prayer's are with the People..
Eagles

by EaglesVision from Oak Ridge, TN
November 6, 2009, 6:33 AM

The Evil Continues

Ever since Europeans came to this paradise which God set aside for the enjoyment and protection of His followers, we have caused untold suffering, anquish and even death. There can be no other explanation than that Americans have given themselves over to the forces of evil, and that all of our government's leadership is working for their own evil ends. I can find no caring people left in government anywhere.

It is difficult to find anyone left in the ranks of the former Europeans who would even off-handedly cast a glance at the injustice still perpetrated against the First Peoples. Witness the very few who wrote here.

Consider also that we Americans actually set aside a day to celebrate that great bringer of death and destructon, Columbus. We continue to rub the noses of the First Peoples in it every single year. Every one of our retail establishments have sales in honor of it. We are a selfish and disgusting race.

A big deal was made today about the economic disaster we brought upon ourselves, and how the big news was that the unemployment rate went to double digits for the first time in over twenty-five years. And yet the unemployment rate on the reservation is 85%. We are a blind and uncaring race.

We stole the land and we kidnapped another race to work it for us. I am ashamed beyond words.

As I watched Vice President Alex White Plume go about his life with a smile on his face and a happy family surrounding him, I am brought to tears over my pervious ignorance. I can only beg him to pray to the Creator on my behalf, for his is a better man than I.

Shame on Washington DC.

by Michael Kitchen from Kalamazoo, MI
November 6, 2009, 11:22 PM

I am appalled that the White Plum family or anyone in this country is not allowed to grow hemp. It is truly a sad state that once again that United State of American would have a product that we can grow on this land, good for future generation, responsible land care, and economically profitable is not allowed (even by those we have said are an independent Soverign Nation) to be grown in the USA but importing it is ok. It is Not OK.
I do believe there is much ignorance about the benefit of growing hemp in this time of history. I believe the White Plum family story is very strong and should hold great power for the Lokota people and for the rest of American whom believe we as a nation are "overdue" to protect the land and to do things that would make the land good for generations to come. It is truly sad that the Goverment DEA can't seem to get "anything right". Drugs are so out of control in this country. The White Plum family is not into drugs.
I pray the White Plum family takes this to Congress. My prayers are with the family, be strong and know many believe as you believe. Please continue.
Thank you for this show and to the Tribe and the White Plum family for sharing this story.

Patty Small
Boise Idaho

by Patty Small from Boise , Idaho
November 8, 2009, 1:36 PM

Careful of indirection

The issue at hand here seems complex, and the documentary certainly did a good job outlining the particular difficulties of the White Plum family.

I loved the documentary, I wandered over to PBS world during a commercial break in a football game.. and never went back.

OK, so, then what is the issue?

Simply, can an American grow industrial hemp?

The issue gets clouded if you ask that only certain Americans be allowed to grow industrial hemp... or say some group "owes it" to some other group, or any other clouding issue.

Let's try to stay on track here.

Lets agree on a few things.

1) Narcotics are not allowed to be produced, grown or refined, repackaged, or distributed.

2) What a man or woman does with his/her own property is his/her own business (outside of violation of state( which in this case has no problem), or federal( which in this case does have a problem) law.

So we look at the federal law... and even in the documentary.. it was looked at in the federal court of appeals, simply because when the drug control legislation was written.. they made no distinction between industrial hemp and recreational use cannibis. As wrong as the result, the judges were correct in their ruling.

This case very simply did not belong in the courts. Courts do not write or create exceptions to laws.

The case having been decided correctly, but with an obviously wrong result, needs to be put in front of congress.

It is our congress that writes the laws, and has the power to change them.

Our goal, needs to simply be one thing... and our voices will be heard that much louder if we stay on target with what we are trying to say....

Congress needs to differentiate industrial from recreational/medicinal use cannibis based on tested THC levels. They can set a standard, and have fields tested. If too many positives are recorded for an industrial field, then it gets reclassified, and that type of field may not be legal in that state, or province.

so in summary, please don't get lost in the emotional artistry of this powerful documentary. If you really are moved to help these people... Then a movement needs to reach all members of congress about the real need for a differentiation between industrial hemp harvesting, and the questionable legality of medicinal/recreational use marijuana.

Keep these issues separate, and this bill will roll through congress without a hitch.

-Ryan

by Ryan Sandford from San Dimas, California
November 9, 2009, 3:13 PM

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" just seems to be tossed out of the (courthouse) window whenever Pine Ridge is concerned. Is this gov't still punishing the Indigenous for sins against imported European Christianity? Is this gov't still insisting on assimilation or death? Is this gov't hell bent on on greed?

by Lisa Schmidt from Omaha, NE
November 14, 2009, 3:05 AM