Ian McGaughey provided these comments about his visit to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation during the making the 2002 road trip documentary “Looking At America.” This still image is taken from the video.
“After experiencing the majesty of Badlands National Park, the drive into the heart of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation was a sobering contrast. The reservation has long been one the poorest locations in the United States, with an average household income of $3,700 a year. In Pine Ridge I met Karen, who lives on the reservation but works 90 miles away cleaning hotel rooms in Rapid City. She spends most of her income on gas money and keeping her car running so she can make the commute.”