For tribes, economic need is colliding with tradition.

The headline says it all. The ancient Indian tradition of preserving the Earth is being challenged in the time of an economic crisis. Native Americans are in need of jobs and more income. The best way to create jobs within the tribe is to allow coal that is on their reservations to be mined. However, the removal of the coal is going against a long time tradition of preserving the Earth. Tribal president Leroy Spang was recently elected and one main focus of his campaign was to create mines. "His election proves that most Northern Cheyenne want to mine coal or dig wells." This election marks the starting point of a new age of coal exploration within tribes. Still, many Native Americans have mixed feelings about it, especially the eldest. Firecrow believes "life on the reservation wouldn't stay the same" with if reservations were used for mines. "Elders like me are trying to keep our sacred traditions alive." Yet younger members believe "coal was put here by Mother Earth to improve life on the reservation." Most Native Americans do want to preserve their traditions, but their resources seem to be the only way out of poverty. With the extremely low unemployment rate within Native American reservations, it seems coal mining is inevitable. But, there are more ways to create jobs and increase income, like wind turbines. This helps create natural energy and doesn't do much harm to the land. I think it is unfortunate the Native Americans feel their tradition is being broken, but in order to improve living conditions and education, i think it is absolutely necessary to create more jobs using the land.

Keen, Judy. "For tribes, economic need is colliding with tradition.(NEWS)(Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation)." USA Today. (March 4, 2009): 01A. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Deerfield High School. 8 Feb. 2010 .