Building Resilient Communities: A Moral Responsibility | Nick Tilsen | TEDxRapidCity

Summary

Nick Tilson, a father and citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation, shares his community's struggle with poverty on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. He emphasizes the importance of understanding their history, reconnection with culture, and leadership to build sustainable communities. The script highlights a transformative movement among the youth, focusing on healing, responsibility, and community engagement to combat challenges like unemployment and low life expectancy. Tilson discusses an ambitious vision for a planned community with high sustainability goals, breaking ground in Thunder Valley, aiming to inspire and improve the lives of indigenous people and beyond.

Takeaways

• 🏰 Nick Tilson is a citizen of the Oceti Sakowin Nation and a father of four, emphasizing the importance of understanding history for building resilient communities.
• 📚 Coming from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, he highlights the area's struggle and poverty, noting it didn't happen by accident and is part of a history that needs acknowledgment.
• 🌿 The speaker recalls the sustainable communities and economies of the past, particularly the reliance on the buffalo for sustenance, shelter, and societal roles.
• 👥 The leadership of indigenous peoples from the Great Plains is identified as a crucial element for the resilience and sustainability of their communities.
• 🤝 The speaker discusses the conflict between indigenous views of resources and the industrialization of America, which has led to disconnection between people and the environment.
• 🏞️ The importance of the land to indigenous identity is underscored, with the speaker noting that land loss and assimilation policies have had profound impacts on indigenous communities.
• 📉 The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation faces extreme challenges, including 80% unemployment, low life expectancy, and conditions akin to third-world poverty.
• 🔄 A movement of young indigenous people reconnecting with their culture, spirituality, and identity is described as a source of hope and empowerment.
• 🌱 The process of community engagement and healing is presented as essential for taking responsibility and solving the problems faced by indigenous communities.
• 🏗️ A vision for a planned community on Pine Ridge with the highest goals of sustainability is shared, including 100% water reclamation and energy generation.
• 🌐 The speaker calls for a collective moral responsibility to address poverty and support indigenous communities, emphasizing the need for change in philanthropy and policy.

Q & A

Who is Nick Tilson and what is his primary role?

Nick Tilson is a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation and a father of four children. His primary role is to be an advocate for his community, focusing on understanding history, building resilient communities, and addressing the poverty and challenges faced by his people.

What is the significance of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Nick's narrative?

The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is significant as it is where Nick comes from and represents a place of struggle and poverty. It is also a place that holds historical context for the challenges faced by indigenous peoples and serves as a starting point for discussions on building sustainable communities.

How did the lifestyle of the indigenous people on the Great Plains contribute to a sustainable economy?

The lifestyle of the indigenous people on the Great Plains was centered around the buffalo, which provided food, shelter, and societal roles. This reliance on a single, abundant resource allowed for a sustainable economy and a way of life that was deeply connected to the environment and its resources.

What is the historical policy that impacted the indigenous identity in America?

The historical policy that impacted the indigenous identity in America was the assimilation policy, which aimed to integrate American Indians into mainstream society. This policy led to the suppression of indigenous culture and identity, causing a disconnect between indigenous peoples and their traditional ways of life.

What are some of the current challenges faced by the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation?

The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation faces numerous challenges, including an 80% unemployment rate, a low life expectancy for males (48 years) and females (52 years), and third-world poverty conditions. These issues are exacerbated by the lack of resources and opportunities within the community.

What role did the movement of reconnecting to culture, spirituality, and identity play in the Pine Ridge community?

The movement of reconnecting to culture, spirituality, and identity played a crucial role in empowering the Pine Ridge community. It led to a sense of responsibility and self-reliance, motivating the community to take charge of their future and address the challenges they face.

How did the community engagement process impact the vision for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation?

The community engagement process allowed for the inclusion of diverse perspectives, from young people to elders. This inclusive approach led to a vision for a planned community with high sustainability goals, such as 100% water reclamation and energy generation, which was designed to transform not only Pine Ridge but also to serve as a model for the world.

What is the significance of the phrase 'kill the Indian, but save the man' in the script?

The phrase 'kill the Indian, but save the man' reflects the historical assimilation policies that aimed to eradicate indigenous culture while preserving the individual as a member of mainstream society. This approach was damaging to the indigenous identity and spirit, leading to a need for cultural reclamation and healing.

How does Nick Tilson view the role of leadership in addressing the challenges faced by indigenous communities?

Nick Tilson views leadership as essential in addressing the challenges faced by indigenous communities. He emphasizes the need for the same kind of leadership that existed long ago, which was capable of navigating difficult circumstances and making decisions for the collective good of the community.

What is the significance of the groundbreaking for the Thunder Valley development mentioned in the script?

The groundbreaking for the Thunder Valley development is significant as it represents the realization of the community's vision for a sustainable and resilient future. It is a tangible step towards creating a planned community with the highest goals of sustainability, marking a new chapter in the history of Pine Ridge.

What is the broader message that Nick Tilson hopes to convey to the audience?

The broader message that Nick Tilson hopes to convey is the importance of understanding history, reclaiming cultural identity, and taking collective responsibility for addressing the challenges faced by indigenous communities. He emphasizes the need for a bottom-up approach to community development, where solutions are designed and implemented by the community itself.