First Americans

I have lived in the 4 corners all my life, within 10 miles of the largest reservation in the US, the Navajo Reservation.
The tribe in the 4 corners region has one of the newest, largest, most modern hospital in the region in Shiprock NM right on the Arizona state line. Even with this facility a large portion of tribal members go to regional off reservation hospitals within a 30 minute drive of the newer Shiprock facility. Healthcare in both scope and access are not a problem in this area for these tribal members, and they get the same care as non-natives in the off reservation facilities. Yes, they have a large disproportionate health problem in the area of alcoholism and diabetes. Both of these conditions being a behavior that has a large negative impact on social, DWI and health facilities. Other than access to healthcare which is there, these problems are under constant address by both the tribe and federal/state entities. But as most realize the drinking and obesity issues are a behavior modification concern whether a native or not.

The fact that there are not enough businesses on reservations is a concern to native and non-natives in the area. I personally would love to see large shopping facilities, reservation liquor outlets and more areas such as private medical practices. BUT, the big stumbling block to this modernization is the tribal government itself. Many businesses have tried to open facilities on the reservation only to hit the wall of tribal government graft, corruption and insurmountable regulatory processes. Until this changes, no businesses will open in these environs. Plus the fact that there is virtually no judicial or law enforcement presence on the reservation, plus all judicial processes usually require FBI and federal court intervention makes private business just not worth it. Until this changes, towns like Shiprock will continue to be the desert wasteland it has been for decades. The only business that thrives is the casino business that is always on the reservation line and all know who is the power behind the casinos, it certainly is not a native power.

The Navajo and Hopi and Jicarilla and Ute indians in the 4 corners are a proud, hard working people and really deserve their own tribal governments to actually attempt to draw private business to the reservations. But, this won't occur till a really large remake of tribal governments take place. These people just wait and hope.