The Fight for Native Americans’ Welfare
Isn’t Over
DEC. 15, 2016
To the Editor:
Re “How to Stop a Black Snake,” by Louise Erdrich (Sunday Review, Dec. 11):
We are gratified that the Obama administration halted construction of the Dakota Access
Pipeline. But like the Standing Rock Water Protectors we support, we do not believe that the
fight is over. So we strongly advocate for the empowerment of the Standing Rock Sioux through
continuous, meaningful consultation with tribal leaders.
Native Americans have been historically marginalized and mistreated by the United States.
Many tribes experienced great loss of life, land and culture as a result of state and federal laws
and actions. This mistreatment associated with historical trauma can be transmitted to subsequent
generations through biological, psychological, social and environmental means.
Research has linked historical trauma to health disparities, including increased likelihood of
early death because of substance abuse, unintentional injuries, assault, homicide and suicide.
The dispute over the pipeline has taught us all the importance of collaborating with tribal leaders
at the outset on matters that affect their sovereignty and welfare, and of educating our country
about the history, culture and values of our native peoples.
Given our skills as psychologists, we stand ready to participate in constructive problem
resolution, as well as provide support for those who were and remain in harm’s way —
physically, psychologically and spiritually.
SUSAN H. McDANIEL
ART BLUME
Washington
The writers are presidents of the American Psychological Association and the Society of Indian
Psychologists, respectively.
A version of this letter appears in print on December 16, 2016, on Page A34 of the New York
edition with the headline: The Fight for Native Americans’ Welfare Isn’t Over. Today's
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