The Cost of Free Land

The narrative explores the complex history of land ownership in South Dakota, focusing on the author's Jewish ancestors, the Sinykins, who immigrated from Russia and settled on land taken from the Lakota people. Through a blend of investigative reporting and personal reflection, the author examines the legacy of violence and dispossession faced by Indigenous communities, questioning the moral implications of benefiting from such oppression. This work invites readers to confront their roles in this historical context and consider paths toward reconciliation and justice.