Project 8

Social Commentary: Life on the Reservation

Date Taken: 11/27/2011

Camera: FUJIFILM FinePix S2550HD

Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec.

F-Stop: f/8

ISO: 64

Focal Length: 10.4mm

Tripod: no

I have lived on the Fort Peck Indian reservation for my entire life, excluding my

semesters spent here at Rocky. When I discuss life on a reservation with those whom are

not from one or who haven’t spent time on one, they envision people living in teepees,

dressing traditional, and riding around on horses. While these things do happen, they are

only for special occasions such as powwows or ceremonies. Unfortunately, the realities

of life on the reservation are far different. It is on the reservation where people are faced

with daily life struggles such as poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, along with physical and

sexual abuse. The photograph I submitted for my social commentary project illustrates

these harsh realities. The three people shown are not just those who had a “rough” night,

they instead are having a rough life. All are struggling with poverty and alcohol abuse.

They spend their days roaming around town looking for money. Rather than using this

money for food, they spend it on alcohol, pushing themselves deeper into the hole. The

only thing separating them from using drugs is the simple fact that they can’t afford it.

Being a psychology major, I have learned that 90% of homeless people are mentally ill.

This is largely because they cannot make it in the normal society, so are instead exiled

out of it into the streets. The man standing to the right of the photograph is schizophrenic.

While I do not expect this photograph to change the course of history, I wanted to expose

the harsh realities of life on the Fort Peck Indian reservation. If there is one thing I have

noticed growing up on the reservation, it is that the vast majority of the people living

there expect things to be given to them. As most of us know, things like this rarely

happen. As a result, when they are not handed things, they turn to more destructive paths,

as shown in my photograph.