$4 Gas Limits Lifestyles on Rural Reservations

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

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Rural Native American communities are tackling declining tourism and unstable business that come with the increased cost of fuel.

Travel and excess spending are no longer luxuries many can afford.

People on the Blackfeet reservation in Montana are asking, "Am I going to eat or put gas in my car?" said Kathy Halloran, the district manager of the Town Pump in Browning there. "It breaks my heart."

Complete article: http://www.reznetnews.org/article/american-indian-journalism-institute/%244-gas-limits-lifestyles-rural-reservations

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Specializes in Psych, ER, OB, M/S, teaching, FNP.

It is getting very bad here in Montana in general not just on the reservation. I do live on the rez (not native but my husband and 6 kids are) and it is a long way to much of anything. And another thing most people don't think of, most of us have 4X4s and trucks to get around because of the winter and these rigs don't get very good gas mileage!

My husband cuts firewood for many of our older relatives and many of the other older folks here in our small town and the cost of gas to get the wood drives up the price he must charge for it. And many of these people only have wood heat, and we have llllooonnnggg winters here.

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Specializes in ER.

In Maine it is a going concern for everyone...what can we cut out in order to pay for heat? There are some who can't make good choices to begin with, and I wonder how they will cope.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.

Its getting harder and harder to make ends meet... for everyone.

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