Ali Velshi had a recent interview with a tribal spokesperson at the Cheyenne River Reservation on how his tribal community is dealing with covid. Remi Bald Eagle, didnt lie, but he wasnt quite honest either about his tribes roadblocks or why his tribe is seeing covid outbreaks on his reservation. First let me tell you I'm from Mobridge South Dakota. Just north of Cheyenne and east of Standing Rock. I have family in the Coal Springs area and frequently pass thru the reservation on highway 20. They tribe have roadblocks in several areas. What Remi failed to mention: 1. The people manning the roadblocks are paid about $15 an hour with covid money from the feds so its actually turning into a tribal job maker. 2. They let locals go thru (mostly) but even when they are stopped the locals know the side roads to get around them. 3. They only really give trouble to out of towners whom they sometimes force to drive 100 miles or more around the reservation. 4. Its is NOT, I repeat NOT the people driving on highway 20 or 63 driving thru that are spreading covid. 5. What IS spreading covid on the reservation is their OWN PEOPLE that go shopping or visiting in places like Lemmon, Pierre, or Rapid City. The "big cities" with more things to do. 6. Remi says he "encourages" the people on the reservation in places like Eagle Butte (which has a small college) to STAY. But they do NOT enforce it. So yes, it is NOT outsiders bringing in covid to Cheyenne river, its the indians themselves. 7. Remi says they only have 8 beds and the next nearest is 3 hours away ( I am assuming Rapid City.) He ignores Mobridge and Lemmon hospitals which are much closer.
So Ali, I'm disappointed you didnt interview people from areas surrounding Cheyenne River Reservation and get their inputs. I'm also disappointed you didnt reach out to the governor who is enjoying record high approval.
