James' body was found in an abandoned warehouse in Joosemin. Coroner said alcohol, poor nutrition, and outdoor living all contributed to James passing out on a cold night without enough warm clothes or blankets.
When a young Tankosin person dies, the entire Reservation goes into depression. Many people think about what they should have done. If only . . . if only . . . if only. . . .
Johnny Lefthand took me aside as the internment finished: "Eli, you should've come to me. Maybe the Tribal Council could've worked something out with James."
"We're so poorly-equipped to handle people like my cousin. No one understood how deep he was."
"Eli, I should just let you know—for next time. You do have some influence in this community."
"How do you mean?"
"You could have turned around James' application for Tribal welfare."
"Don't lay this on me."
Johnny was startled, "You had influence and you didn't use it. You're the leader of this TDG."
"James has been an alcoholic since he was 15. A few more days with dollars in his pocket was not going to help where he was going."
"But you are his family! There's nothing wrong with asking the Tribal Council for help."
"Don't you understand that me begging the Tribal Council for James to get a welfare check was going to cause more problems?"
"Huh?"
"If I get a reputation for helping people in these matters, I will get more calls to do so. How many times can I come begging to the Council? . . . . And if a TDG executive helps family members with Tribal money, what happens the reputation of the TDG?"
Johnny was silent for a bit.
"Eli, you are so young and yet you are so wise. Maybe you handled this situation the best way you could."
"And I think the Tribal Council did as well. We just can't fix everything right now. Maybe there's some lessons in James' death."
The sad part is about what we didn't say. Both Johnny and I know why James became an alcoholic. When James really needed the help, no one was there for him. Maybe we are doing things better than we were 10 years ago. Maybe not. People in pain don't make a good circle.
