View the Online Survey Results
Prospects & Possibilities
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1.
I currently live in South Dakota:
- Yes
- No
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2.
I have lived in South Dakota:
- less than 5 years
- from 5-20 years
- from 21-35 years
- more than 35 years
- not applicable
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3.
Education
- 1
- 2
- 4
- 5
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4.
Social Services
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
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5.
Transportation
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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6.
Crime & Public Safety
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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7.
Government
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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8.
Economy
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 5
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9.
Health care
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 5
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10.
Race Relations
- 1
- 2
- 4
- 5
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11.
Environment
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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12.
Which of these is the state's biggest concern or problem to solve?
- Education
- Social Services
- Government
- Economy
- Environment
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13.
What is it about your number one choice that is most important to you? What element are you concerned about?
Recent answers given: (view all in new window)- On reservations, dysfunctional governments prevent anything good from happening for the majority of the people. That includes education, job creation, health care, social services - everything is impaired.
- Education is the key to reducing poverty. Reducing poverty will impact many of our other problems. The poverty and health care of our Native American population needs to be of prime importance.
Poverty issues for our Caucasian population need to be of prime importance also. - The economy affects all of us. And, changes in the economy, both positive and negative, affect the other issues.
- Promoting sustainable ag business to promote jobs, business building but also maintaining good environments for both land and animal resources.
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14.
What do you see as an idea for a solution to your number one choice?
Recent answers given: (view all in new window)- Lord only knows.Constitutional overhauls are needed. The federal government will have to get more involved in making sure tribes follow federal laws. Reservations are essentially lawless, and very insular. Educational limitations impair performance. Conflict of interest and nepotism are rampant.
- People in poverty need to have an individual case manager who is knowledgeable of many areas of assistance. There are so many rules and regs for programs, it is hard for people in poverty to understand and accomplish the requirements. Education in all areas of self sufficiency are necessary. The model of the client coming to the office needs to be amended-many don't have transportation!
- Reign in government waste.
- Sustainable AG and small business education. Becoming a destination for 30 somethings and their families.
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15.
Which of these is the state's second biggest concern or problem to solve?
- Education
- Government
- Economy
- Health care
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16.
What is it about your number two choice that is important to you? What elements are you concerned most about?
Recent answers given: (view all in new window)- Job creation on reservations. Tribes will have to allow the private sector to function before this can happen. Many small scale solutions are needed, not a few big ones, to suit our population distribution and the work interest/motivations of the people.
- Again education is the pathway to reducing poverty and raising the standard of living for our entire state. This means not only K-12, early childhood, post-secondary and college training; but adult education for those in poverty and those with only a high school education.
- So many can't afford to go to the doctor. Costs are too high. Those of us who are responsible, end up paying for those who are given government hand-outs.
- Creating the environment to support the economy. Bring the educated/innovated back to SD to be part of the communities.
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17.
What do you see as an idea for a solution to your number two choice?
Recent answers given: (view all in new window)- Education of tribal councils on how economies work, and what their workforce really is. BIA unemployment statistics are grossly exaggerated, and do not address skills/motivation issues. Educational levels are inadequate for today's jobs, and many of the "unemployed" do not want full-time permanent jobs.
- Utilize retired education professionals to teach and mentor adults in their community. This could include school age children as mentees also.
- Reform the welfare system.
- Community Leaders that are inviting to new ideas and a younger generation.
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18.
What other issues – not represented on the list – do you feel are important to South Dakota?
Recent answers given: (view all in new window)- Jobs for an ill-educated workforce and education trump all other issues on reservations.
- Eliminating our homophobic and other ism discriminations. We're all human and deserve respect.
- Community Leadership Development. Long term state planning. Creating new industries.
- The strong magnetic forces on each side of the state that seems to be drawing all things to Sioux Falls and Rapid City. When everything ends up there all we will have are a pair of Super Walmarts on each end of the state.
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19.
Which best describes where I live?
- Farm or ranch
- Town under 1,000
- Town of 1,000-10,000
- Town or city over 50,000
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20.
What best describes my employment?
- Employed full-time
- Employed part-time
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21.
I am how old
- 18-35 years
- 36-50 years
- 51-64 years
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22.
My gender
- Female
- Male
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23.
The race that best describes me
- White/Caucasian
- Latino
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24.
My highest level of education
- Some college
- College graduate
- Graduate or professional degree
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25.
My individual income is in this range
- Less than $20,000
- Over $20,000 but less than $35,000
- Over $35,000 but less than $75,000
On reservations, history has created a culture of dependency, and many people have lost the belief that they can make their own lives better. Passivity, fatalism and anger are all too common. Individual/family empowerment is key to any genuine improvement. Encouraging REAL traditional values, especially self-reliance, is helpful. Blaming the white man for everything that is wrong is not.