David Mosse Sacred Road Analysis

B. Relational/Social Well Being
Poverty and inequality are reproduced by social processes that place excessive importance on identity and social categorization. David Mosse writes about the relational approach to poverty as a solution that rejects poverty as an individual issue, and instead defines it as a web of interconnected relations and unbalanced power structures that lead to exploitation and corruption of those deemed inferior. Indigenous people experience this social disclusion first hand through America’s ignorance and apathy of their situation. The holistic approach cares for these issues in that it seeks to empower communities by providing autonomy and decision making power. Sacred Road emphasizes equality and participatory approaches in their programs, and also encourages the community to unite together in their commonalities rather than sticking to the every man for himself mindset that often exists according to …show more content…
Wendell also explained that many members of the community have long term grudges or feuds that have not been reconciled because there are few common spaces on the reservation and people spend most of their time in their home. Sacred Road’s open invitation for community members to come and eat and enjoy each others company has provided the necessary space for reconciliation among people who would’ve not otherwise reconnected. These reconnections that are brought forth by Sacred Road’s large focus on community relations translate into decision making power because people can discuss what they collectively would like to see happen with their tribe in regards to alleviating the social, economic and financial aspects of poverty in Yakama. Because Sacred has no alternative motives, they can use these ideas as their primary