Government dependency is evil in principle and in its effect; it saps character and strength by encouraging weakness. On the Rez, we finally recognized this reality and developed programs where all of our people worked and took pride in working. We took responsibility for our actions and we did not fall into the trap of blaming 150 years of failed Federal Indian Policy for our plight. 150 years ago, Native American Indians had our land stolen, we were massacred, treaties were broken, we were made slaves and then put on reservations where we were left to die. But the worst thing the Government did to us was to make us dependent on them. It took us years to finally wake up and shake free of the chains of dependency but we made it happen. How long before the rest of you do the same?