RDNKJ

I am asking this on behalf of a friend of mine who doesn't have a computer.

She is thinking of attending either the Oglala Nation Powwow and Rodeo on Pine Ridge, or the annual fair and powwow on the Lower Brule rez. She is wondering if there are any safety issues she should be aware of as a single woman (white, mid-fifties) traveling alone.

Thanks for all your help!

tayoonee

MAKE SURE YOUR DAUGHTERS KNOW AND EVERYONE ELSE !!!

This was written by a guy from KVLY-TV in Fargo... This is true AND Scary !

This is something that happened to us on the way back from vacation last week. At first I didn't think much of it until now. The reason we were a little suspicious is we had been riding in a jeep all day with 100 degree temps and we stopped at a truck stop for something to drink. When I was leaving, a young girl followed me out and asked what kind of cologne I was wearing.

Well, after 7 hours in the car sweating, I don' t think you could tell if I was or was not wearing any cologne. We just g ot in the jeep and said no thanks.

Then it was about 3 weeks ago, I was at a service station in Birmingham getting gas. It was about 9:30 PM. I was approached by 2 men and 2 women in a car. The man that was driving asked me 'What kind of perfume do you wear?'

I was a bit confused and I asked him 'Why?' He said, 'We are selling some name brand perfumes, at cheap prices.' I said I had no money. He then reached out of the car and handed me paper that was laminated; it had many perfumes on it I looked quickly at it and gave it back. I said, have no money. He said it is OK, we take check, cash, or credit cards. Then the people in the car began to laugh. I just got in my car and said no thanks.

Then I received this e-mail yesterday and it sent chills up my spine. Please read this. It is no joke. Here is the e-ma il I was sent:

Dear Friends:
I know not all of you are women that I am sending this to, but am hoping you will share this with your wives, daughters, mothers, s is ters, etc. Our world seems to be getting crazier by the day. Pipe bombs in mail boxes and sickos in parking lots with perfume. Be careful. I was approached yesterday afternoon around 5:30 PM in the Wal-Mart parking lot by two males asking what kind of perfume I was wearing. Then they asked if I'd like to sample some fabulous scent they were willing to sell me at very reasonable rate. I probably would have agreed had I not received an e-mail warning of a 'Wanna smell this neat perfume?' scam.

The men continued to stand betwee n parked cars, I guess to wait for someone else to hit on. I stopped a lady going towards them, pointing at them and told her about how I was sent an e-mail at work about someone walking up to you at the malls or in p arking lots and asking you to SNIFF PERFUME t hat they are selling at a cheap price or at least compare to which on e you like best.

THIS IS NOT PERFUME...IT'S ETHER !

When you sniff it, you'll pass out. They'll take your wallet, your valuables and heaven knows what else. If it were not for this e-mail, I probably would have sniffed the 'perfume' but thanks to the generosity of an e-mailing friend, I was spared whatever might have happened to me I wanted to do the same for you.

PLEASE PASS THIS A LONG TO ALL YOUR WOMEN FRIENDS AND PLEASE BE ALERT AND BE AWARE. IF YOU ARE A MAN AND RECEIVE THIS, PASS IT ON TO YOUR WOMEN FRIENDS.

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"The mountains, I become a part of it..The morning mists, the clouds, the gathering waters, ..I become a part of it."

wyo_rose

OMG that's scary! I'm always buying tamales in parking lots - now if they were to taint them....

I would suggest having AAA and/or OnStar if you got a newer GM model.

__________________
Don't take life so seriously!
It's not permanent.

Kaina1128

You would need to "sniff" massive amounts of ether or small amounts for like a half hour to actually pass out. I'm not buyin that one...

But as far for safety tips for Crow Fair: It's kinda racist that your friend thinks that because she's a white female that there would be increased risk for her to travel alone as opposed to a single Native female. Just be careful like everyone else. No one will rob your wagon train! Don't be dumb, lock up your stuff, don't go places with strangers, and have fun at Crow Fair for me because I really wanted to go this year!

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www.paysbig.com/powwow

Urban Indian Wellness Consortium

Nooktoo tsitaapi kainaiwa


USAF

ok24stacey

I travel alone a lot. Drive and fly....just make sure you check in with someone every so often and stop in well populated and lighted (night) stores or areas. I try to pack up snacks and drinks to keep in the front seat next to me to cut down on stops. The more you stop the more risk there is for whatever to happen.

I've never had any close calls and I've gone all over. Just look confident and like you know where you are at and what you are doing at all times. lol

And stay out of Minnesota in December....effin blizzards. lmao.

But this is traveling in general of course. I am not sure that being white and in your mid-50's has anything to do with being more safe or less safe.

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To live is the rarest thing in the World. Most people just exist, that is all.

ballin_n_shawlin

is it because she's coming to a reservation that there are "extra" precautions she should take?? OMG!! Take care of urself and valuables and be watchful and aware of your surroundings... JUST LIKE YOU WOULD IF YOU WERE A SOLO TRAVELER ANYWHERE ELSE!!!!!

oh and by the way we are a DRY Reservation... that means NO ALCOHOL is permitted ANYWHERE>.. not even in your car passing thru... Just a little FYI

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RDNKJ

Kaina,

I am sorry. NO, NO, NO!!! I phrased the question poorly. The safety concern has nothing to do with her being white; it solely concerns her being female!

I am sorry for any misunderstanding.

Forgiven???

socman

1 other tip. She absolutely should NOT stop at the highway "rest areas" at night. You would think (and hope) that they are safe, but they are not. I have 2 female friends who were beat up at rest areas. 1 was attacked as she was coming out of the restroom, and the other was pulled from her car and beat up by a trucker with a large "maglight" flashlight. She was able to beat him back and although bleeding badly, made it to the next town. When she told the police there what had happened, they simply said, "well by the time we go out there and check it out...he'll be gone." Nice.

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"As through this world I've wandered, I've met lots of funny men. Some will rob you with a six-gun, and some with a fountain pen." -Woody Guthrie

RDNKJ

Funny you should mention that. As I've mentioned in another post, I grew up in NE Oklahoma. Many years ago (in the late 60's) one of my father's colleagues lived in New York. When Dad heard that he and his family were going to be driving to California for vacation one year, Dad invited them to drop by and visit us if their route took them through Oklahoma. The New Yorker's response was...well...er...thanks...but...er...we don't want any "Indian problems." The idiot actually thought that they would have to worry about being raided as they drove through Oklahoma! Talk about ignorance! Sheesh!

RDNKJ

Yes, and the same goes for men as well as women travelers. Being male, I worry less about my safety. It is unfortunate that women have to be extra safety conscious, no matter where they go.

As I said to Kaina, I phrased the question poorly. Although, for both men and women, I think age does make a difference. My father, at age 78, has different safety concerns than when he was a "strapping young man" of 45.

Thanks.

chazziff

geez ... LOL ... some ppl's kids JKZ

ya its all common sense ..... for any person travelling alone. stay in the light ... carry a cell phone .... check in frequently ... make sure your car is road worthy ... have AAA or CAA or know how to change a flat by yourself n have battery cables .... have a working flashlight .. and know your route n keep your map handy

and trust your gut feelings ...... if it dont feel right .... dont do it!!

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RDNKJ

That is horrible! They're lucky they weren't killed! That's one reason to carry a gun when you're travelling.

RDNKJ