Rez anon here. They finally removed the checkpoints 4 days ago. I don’t see it being reported anywhere. (Pic rel.) I know the battle between Gov Noem and the tribe had gone to court.
However, about 2 or 3 weeks ago a 24 year old from this little town of 400, froze to death. (Happens a lot here actually.. They get drunk and pass out in freezing temps and die. I told the Sheriff that out in NM on the Navajo (Diné) Rez they call them popsicles and he said here too. It’s really fuct up.) Anyway, this 24 year old has sort of a different story because idk if he was drunk. There’s nothing out here so people drive a few hundred miles to the closest “real town” or city to get supplies. This 24 year old, Justin Williams, went to Aberdeen (a few hours away) to get supplies for his baby. On the way back the checkpoint guards did not let him back through. I’m missing half the story because his aunt, whom I don’t know very well, had to get back to work. She said, “When they wouldn’t let him back through, he stole a car to try to get through.” (I have no idea) but there’s a big bridge you have to drive over and it was 15 degrees below zero and somehow the guy froze to death trying to cross it. (No clue..) His death rocked this little town like I haven’t seen before and I’ve never seen so many people die as when you get to know Natives. So I’m missing half the story but the aunt said, “He went to Aberdeen to get supplies for his baby and on his way back, the border guards wouldn’t let him through and he froze to death on the bridge.” Then she told me the other part about the stolen car but they’re blaming it on the guards. Anyway, they’re fkn gone!
My old roommate is full blood Lakota and they’re scared thinking they’re going to ALL die from covid. Our State is open but the Rez had those checkpoints and people are driving here with masks on. Kids go outside and play with them on. We had patrolled curfew. The chairman scared them to death so they’d vote for bidan. It’s fkn trippy because the rest of the State is like nothing ever happened (except for Walmart and Maynard’s, etc..) I drove to the vet today and it felt like a year ago before any of this happened. Feels good man.
Sorry I wrote so much text.