Thanks Jim, Great letter!  Phyllis
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110802/OPINION04/308020017/-1/
gallery_array/Missouri-River-plans-need-Native-Americans


Having worked on Missouri River issues for 10 years, I find refreshing
the new spirit of compromise being embraced by our political leaders. We
need, however, to include all governmental entities over the coming
months as we work out a comprehensive plan.
Governors should invite a representative from the tribes in our basin to
their meetings. Not many people understand that there are more acres of
tribal homelands drained by the Missouri River than there are Iowa acres
drained by the nation’s longest river. Historically, and even up to the
current flood, Native Americans have been the first group to suffer
losses.
The Pick-Sloan plan of large reservoirs constitute the largest federal
taking of tribal lands. Many of these tribes have not recovered. I have
great sympathy for my neighbors who evacuated their homes and may not
return for three months, but when Native Americans were evacuated as the
reservoirs rose, they were evacuated forever from their homes and their
economic base in the river bottoms of the Missouri River.
We will develop a healthy relationship to the river when we respect its
many forces and when we respect all the people living along the Missouri.
— Jim Redmond, Sioux City

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