This past month enroute to DC to advocate for our schools and reading the letters that cited the three provisions cited in the 1868 treaty that I pulled out to use in communication letters to remind Congress that our 184 schools in 23 states are ‘treaty schools” meaning the peace treaty entered with the United States clearly states that along with other provisions that this government would provide funding for education. This includes the schools that our children attend, the buses and drivers that pick them up each day, the teachers, cooks and others who work in these schools. On...

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A recent issue of Science News features a piece regarding dementia written by one Meghan Rosen wherein we are told, “One million adults per year in the United States will develop dementia by 2060, scientists predict in Nature Medicine. Dementia encompasses many symptoms, including memory, reasoning and language difficulties that interfere with daily life. Over 6 million people in the United States are currently affected by dementia.” Epidemiologist Josef Coresh, from New York University’s Grossman School of medicine advises us that, “This is a huge problem. A rise in the projection isn’t surprising given the aging population, but the extent...

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MAR 14,1956-FEB 27,2025 Phyllis Jolene Sun Bear-Elk was born on March 14, 1956 in Pine Ridge, SD to Clarence Sun Bear and Florence Crooked Eyes-Sun Bear. Phyllis made her journey to the Spirit world on February 27, 2025 at the Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in Canistota, SD. Phyllis was proceeded in death by her parents, Clarence & Florence Sun Bear; brother, Keith Sun Bear; nephews, Qaron Hollow Horn, Jorma Blindman, Bryant Good Lance, Rafael Sun Bear; niece, Tara Blindman; special friends, Ross Red Feather; and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousin, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and relatives. Wake Services: 3:30 PM,...

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PINE RIDGE/KYLE - Yes the season ended for the boys Saturday night as the state boys tournaments wrapped up in Aberdeen, Sioux Falls and Rapid City; many teams took a day or two to look back over the just completed season then immediately started looking ahead to the coming season, who are moving on, who will be back, who is coming up and what are the plans for the off-season. At Mahpiya Luta, the Crusaders finished the regular season at 10- 10, traveled to Kyle for first round of Region 7A playoffs, downed the Mustangs 45-42 then the next day...

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SEP 17,1964-MAR 17,2025 "Carl" William Carl Broken Rope was born on September 17, 1964 in Pine Ridge, SD to Clarence Broken Rope and Dora Trouble In Front-Broken Rope. William made his journey to the Spirit World on March 17, 2025 at his home in Allen, SD. Carl is survived by his sisters, Nancy Broken Rope, Julia Ireland, and Marjorie Broken Rope; nieces, Abby Ghost Bear, Clarissa Broken Rope, Agnes, Antoinette, Jodi, & Heather Waters, Lucille Broken Rope, Alma Nichols, Natalie Cortez, Amber Cortez, and Anna Hunts Horse; nephews, Clarence Broken Rope, Albert Broken Rope, Austin Cortez, John P. Whirlwind Horse,...

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Alexander Hamilton in "The Farmer Refuted" (1775) expressed a profound truth about the nature of human rights. Hamilton argued that human rights are not granted by governments, but rather, they are inherent in human nature itself and bestowed by divine force. While human rights may be naturally and divinely endowed, societies still require legal frameworks to protect and uphold them. The United States Constitution, often perceived as an old parchment or musty record, remains a vital and living document. The Constitution enshrines rights and responsibilities of both the government and its citizens, and the document continues to shape the United...

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AUG 4,1933-MAR 12,2025 Blanche Emma (Whipple) Zembower, 91, made her journey to the Spirit World surrounded by sunshine and family on March 12th, 2025 at her daughter’s home in Castle Rock, CO. Born Aug 4th, 1933 in Pine Ridge, SD to Rev. Christian B Whipple & Estherlyn (Harlan) Whipple she was the first of her family to be born in a hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents Christian & Estherlyn Whipple, husbands Richard Nelson & Jack B Zembower, sons Richard & Darrell Nelson, grandson Darrell V. Nelson, brothers James (Jimmy) Whipple, James (Buddy) Whipple, Harlan Whipple, sisters...

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Great Plains Ethnohistory offers a collection of state-of-the-field work in Great Plains ethnohistory, both contemporary and historical, covering the traditional anthropological subfields of ethnography, cultural history, archaeology, and linguistics. As ethnohistory matured into an interdisciplinary endeavor in the 1950s with the formation of the American Society for Ethnohistory, historians and anthropologists developed scholarly methodology for the study of Native American societies from their own points of view. Within this developing framework, Native cultures of the Great Plains represented a foundational research area. Great Plains Ethnohistory pays intellectual debts to Raymond J. DeMallie and Douglas R. Parks, whose research from the 1970s...

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One of the first ever state approved Indigenous Doula Workshops took place in Rapid City, South Dakota. This event was organized by the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board, the Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center, and Baby Smart. “There is a need for birth care providers, we wanted locals around the area who are passionate about becoming a certified doula,” said Cheyenne Ironheart, program manager for MCH-Healthy Star with Great Plains Tribal Leaders’ Health Board. When starting this workshop, this event had a focus on maternal and child health, making sure to stress the importance of supporting families from prenatal...

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SIOUX FALLS/ABERDEEN/ RAPID CITY - Sioux Falls Christian went into the State A tournament as the #1 seed and finished up the tournament championship with a 61-51 win over Hamlin; RC Christian took third with a 60-58 win over Lennox while Hill City finished sixth losing to West Central 69-54. In the B’s, #1 seed Castlewood won out 52-31 over Viborg/ Hurley while in the AA in Rapid City, Brandon Valley knocked off Mitchell 53-45 to win the championship. At each of the state tournament sites, a Spirit of Su was awarded, one of the highest honors given out each...

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