"These Indians, if they do sober up,what's waiting for them? Nothing but more despair. I think we need to create jobs on the reservation," such as beautifying the reservation. There could be free buses to transport the laborers.

– Wakpamni Lake, South Dakota resident and leather craftsman Kelly Looking Horse, while visiting the thrift store in Whiteclay

"I think an education is the key to us promoting ourselves and telling the truth. We have to speak up. A lot of us let other people talk for us."

– Artist, photographer and jewelry maker Andrea Two Bulls, Red Shirt Table, South Dakota

On life in Pine Ridge:
"We may be the poorest place by American standards. But we don't have to live by American standards. We live by Lakota standards and the most important thing is family."

On hope for the future:
"There's a word, Taku Sku Sku, it means "Sacred Mover." I think that is the movement we need more than any manmade thing…. That movement would be God himself. The Sacred Mover comes in through the Spirit living in us — evil becomes good because of a transformation."

-Leon Matthews, pastor of Pine Ridge Gospel Fellowship

"It's important to recognize history. There's a difference between honoring and commemorating… We need to get past the hatred and the grudges. We as natives need to be united."

-Floyd Chavers, U.S. Navy veteran, part Muskogee Indian and chaplain of Hands of Faith Ministries, Whiteclay, Neb.