"In 2004 when Chairman Venne ran for a second term, he campaigned on housing and jobs. To this day in 2008, he has not fulfilled either of those promises.

Today, our enrollment is over 12,000. About 3,500 of our people are forced to live off-reservation for lack of homes. Currently, two or three families have to live in one house on the reservation.

Because of housing and economics, about a fourth of our people are renting from non-Indians in Hardin and Billings. Some of our people are living in Sheridan, Ranchester and Dayton, Wyo., as well as other states.

When we are forced to live off the reservation, our children suffer because in the public school systems they attend they have to deal with negative behavior towards them from some non-Indian students and faculty members."

Get the Story:
Burton Pretty On Top Sr.: Crow would rather live on own land (The Billings Gazette 8/16)

Another Letter:
Scott Frazier: Financial posturing ahead for coal deal (The Billings Gazette 8/17)

Related Stories:
Crow Tribe strikes $7B coal development deal (8/8)