Letter: Legalizing alcohol sales on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation

Friday, January 7, 2011  

"My name is Corey Flood; I am a registered member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. I have never forgotten my roots. I have been in prison on four different occasions. I have spent considerable time in my life paying for mistakes made from allowing alcohol to dominate me. I know we are not perfect nor are we wise at times. I have sobriety today because I want more of a life and can admit that my life has to be alcohol free to move ahead.

I write this not to judge, but to share. Me and my father stopped at an establishment in Mission and went in to see what they had for supplies, crafts, etc. A couple entered and begged money from the owner. It was obvious they were intoxicated. She gave them $20 and told them to get something to eat and not to spend it on alcohol.

What is the solution? Is there one or do we continue to allow this dominating thing to destroy us? There will be many who say what right does he have in saying these things? I have a right because of my shortcomings. If the reservation would legalize alcohol, look at the money the tribe would be generating. The Lakota people could benefit from the very issue that is destroying them.

The money generated could be used for rehab centers, programs for the youth and elderly. This would not be condoning alcohol use but using the money spent for the good of the Sicangu. There is no difference between Pine Ridge and Rosebud with this issue. If the people could see the amount of money generated from alcohol sales off the res or from sales to establishments that are not tribally-owned, they would realize that alcohol will continue to be the number one product that generates money and figure out a way to benefit from it."

Get the Story:
Corey Flood: Benefits in alcohol sales? (Indian Country Today 1/7)