Meet the Native American Elder Featured in My Upcoming Documentary

"It was a late-60s Chevy. And people were inside it, parked," Gary said to me today describing one of the first times he saw homeless Native Americans in Minneapolis. He was about 17 at that time.

After another moment looking at the car, he said he came to his realization, "They're there, because they're living there!"

Gary Lussier is a long-time educator in the Minneapolis Public Schools and is one of the most genuine people I ever met. It was a pleasure braving the snowstorm today for the chance to interview him--to record his story of six decades in Minneapolis and to gather his observations of how his Native American community has changed over the years.

His testimony echoes the literature stating that homelessness used to be fairly limited to drunkards living in downtown flophouses. But then came the 70s--and the people like the ones he saw living in that car. Alcoholism increased, as did other drug use.

Gary shared about his own, few rough years before regaining solid footing again in his 20s--footing that an increasing number are never able to find. What explains this rising number, many of whom end up on the streets? Gary's insights into these matters will be an invaluable addition to my upcoming documentary series on homelessness in the U.S.

Click here to learn more: https://www.gofundme.com/documentaryhomelessness-in-america