To The Editor,
I just read "Letter to the Editor" by Cory Desjarlait regarding employment on the reservation. Although I wasn't ever in prison I too had problems getting hired at all the local businesses including our casinos. I have college education in my background as well as Telecommunications Equipment Operator (dispatcher) training from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, New Mexico. I had been a "dispatcher" in Red Lake for almost ten years but due to my sons medical condition, and certain people I will not name, I eventually decided to quit and be a "stay at home mom". When my son was situated/settled at home, I start applying for different jobs around the REZ, thinking with all my qualifications I'd be hired fairly easy. Well that didn't happen. People with only a high school diploma were getting positions that I'd applied for and this is when I'd first thought, it must be who I am. I thought our tribe was to take care of all our members? After being told so many times "we hired someone else". I left my home town to another reservation in Southern Minnesota, being there only a week I decided to apply at their casino and was hired on the spot. The personnel there were so impressed with my resume' I got a higher position that I didn't even apply for and started work the next day. All this happened three years ago and I'm disappointed today to see that our educated members are still struggling to make a living up here. Whether or not your in prison, it's still the same for a lot of us. I was always told, no one ever has enough education, we learn something new everyday. And I believed that up until my disappointing experience, now it makes me wonder. I too am working on starting my own business but I don't know if it'll be in Red Lake.
Signed/Patricia Sayers-Mountain |
