President Barry Dunn, Chief Arvol Looking Horse and others recognize graduates' achievements, First Wokini Scholars earn their diplomas
The day before university graduation, on Friday, May 6, the American Indian Student Center at SDSU hosted the Native Graduate Honoring Ceremony. Ten undergraduates, six masters graduates, and a Ph.D. were celebrated for their achievements before family and friends, as well as SDSU faculty and staff.
Dean of Students Toby Uecker led the program, and Lakota spiritual leader Chief Arvol Looking Horse conducted the feather-tying ceremony and gave a commentary on the significance of the feather, plume, and star quilt. President Barry Dunn presented each graduate with a star quilt. Frank Robertson (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate) of the School of Communication and Journalism gave an address to the audience with remarks on perseverance and the support of family and mentors. Song and drum were provided by Londel Seaboy.
Also recognized were the first graduated Wokini Scholars:
Morgan Crystal Briggs Cheyenne River Lakota B.S.N. Nursing Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
The Wokini Initiative Congratulates the Class of 2022!
Undergraduate
Kerry Aberle
Danielle Arpan
Kaylee Bertrand
Sadan Bettelyoun
Wakinya Bose
Morgan Briggs
Shannon Burnette-Meek
Paige Cain
Skyler Cavanaugh
Alayne Daly
Whitney Dahlstrom
Michaela Del Rio
Morgan Ducheneaux
Mariah Evans
Peyton Evans
Traelene Fallis
Turner Frank
Esther Gere
Judd Grover
Chantelle Hardimon
Anna Jealous of Him
Steven Kemp
Emily Knutson
Knockett Krolikowski
Iverene Lunderman
Abigail Martin
Andrea McCauley
Sydney Mincheff
Tiffany Moore
Hayley Olson
Sydnie Peters
Amadea Pourier
Adam Reiss
Kennedy Schumacher
Hannah M. Surat
Ava Torres
Michael Weston
Gohan White Bull
Masters
Christopher Begeman
Kalena Brunsch
Morgan Catlett-Ausborn
Stephanie Liebl
Aryca Lothrop
Taylor P. Payer
Sha'Teal R. Pearman
Sierra Strands
Doctorate
Derek Brandis
Tyler Leng
Paul May
Beverley Warne, NANEC Mentor, Named to South Dakota Hall of Fame
On June 1 Oglala Lakota nurse and mentor Beverly Warne was one among ten remarkable individuals named to the South Dakota Hall of Fame Class of 2022. Warne is a member of the leadership at the Native American Nursing Education Center (NANEC), a satellite campus of SDSU College of Nursing located in Rapid City. There, Bev advises, advocates for and encourages nursing students at the outset of their career.
The Hall of Fame Honors program is scheduled for September 9 and 10 in Chamberlain/Oacoma.
This book, combining Native and non-Native voices, explores the concept and identities of two-spirit people through various lenses. Contributions
include a landmark article by SDSU alumna and Lakota anthropologist Beatrice Medicine (Standing Rock) and a compelling narrative by Doyle Robertson (Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota, "I Ask You to Listen to Who I Am"). Two-spirit people have long existed with integral roles in Native American societies, and have been studied and written about in limited scope. This is a seminal book on the topic and offers a plethora of tribal points of view.
Dakota Word of the Month
wábdoša | red-winged blackbird
Lakota Word of the Month
ablákela | it is calm, still, windless, quiet
Errata
In the April 2022 newsletter article about the Wokini Knowledge Circle, Emirra Means is quoted mentioning Michelle Watkins. The person who recommended her as Project Manager for the Wokini Knowledge Circle was Michelle Christian.
Wokini Initiative, South Dakota State University, Morrill Hall 119, Brookings, SD 57007, 605-688-4030
