As we approach the end of the month, we encourage you to continue learning about Oceti Sakowin tribes and culture. As you continue your educational journey of Native American / Indigenous peoples, it's important that you educate yourself responsibly.
What does 'educating myself responsibly' look like?
Often Indigenous peoples are expected to speak on behalf of their entire tribe and/or culture, however, this is actually considered 'hidden work' that can be a heavy burden to bear. Instead, we recommend you find resources from Native/Indigenous creators, teachers, and educators who are already sharing information and resources. Check out their recommendations on books, research, media, and other indigenous perspectives that can be a resource to you. If you're located on campus, the Wokini Knowledge Circle located at the Hilton M. Briggs Library is a great place to find trusted reading materials!
Other Considerations...
With 574 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. alone, it’s important to remember that no Native person or culture is the same as one another, and our histories are incredibly diverse. A good first step is to research what ancestorial homelands you currently live on and learn more about that tribe.
Pictured above: Tylan Bear, grass dancer and member of the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa and Wokini Scholar.
Last night the South Dakota State Athletics Department hosted "Indigenous People's Heritage Night" in honor of Native American Heritage Month in collaboration with the American Indian Student Center & the Wokini Initiative. The purpose of this event was to recognize the Oceti Sakowin (Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Tribes) and celebrate Indigenous culture at SDSU. The crowd stood for applause at every opportunity while the drum group Wakpa Ipaksan led by Tracii Barse from the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe played the half-time performance. Two Wokini Scholars had the opportunity to perform at the center of the arena; Tylan Bear (pictured above) is a proud member of the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa and grass dancer; and Lindsay Hammer, proud member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe and fancy shawl dancer. Additionally, the two Indigenous student campus organizations were recognized for all their efforts at each quarter; the American Indian Student Association (AISA) and the American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES). This was a great first-time event and we are excited to continue this collaborative event for years to come. If you're interested in hosting a similar event, please reach out to the Wokini Initiative office linked below.
Donald Montileaux was the special guest for the American Indian Student Center's Artist in Residence program from October 21st - 23rd. This 3-day event included various art workshops, presentations, and concluded with a special honoring. If you've visited the American Indian Student Center (AISC) then you've definitely seen Mr. Montileaux's work displayed on the walls throughout the lobby. Students, staff, and faculty were able to meet with and discuss his introduction into the art world and all the work he's done since. You can learn more about Mr. Montileaux and his work at the link below. Special recognition to Paige Cain for coordinating the event!
The Witaya Naunzinpi Dinner (formerly Wokini Dinners) are hosted monthly by the AISC and Wokini Initiative to present special topics requested by students. Witaya Naunzinpi is a Lakota translation for "We Stand Together" to promote relationship-building between Indigenous students and the university. Last month's dinner theme was "Imposter Syndrome and Belonging" where Chef Kim Braveheart opened with a a zoom presentation discussing her experiences and overcoming Imposter Syndrome. Then, Tamara Lunday, SDSU's Director of Student Health & Counseling, finished the event with a discussion on strategies to overcome Imposter Syndrome and an activity to help participants visualize their emotions, values, goals, and successes in a healthy way. November's Witaya Naunzinpi Dinner will be hosted on November 21st and discussing "Graduate School: Applying, Programming, and Student's Experience" presented by Cierra Sazue and Nicole Lounsbery. If you're interested in learning more about the program or would like to get involved, please contact Marisa Hare, Student Advisor for the AISC at the link below.
On November 6th, a special screening of Lakota Nation vs the United States played at the Founders Recital Hall, followed by a panel discussion with Producer Amber Morning Star and Co-Director Jesse Shortbull. This event was part of the Fall World Languages & Cultures Film Festival, put on by the School of American and Global Studies and coordinated by the AISC.The School of AGS, School of Communication and Journalism (COJO), and the Wokini Initiative sponsored the event. This documentary examines the ongoing struggle of Lakota peoples' rights and reclamation of He Sapa or
the Black Hills. This film walks the viewers through the history of broken treaties, systemic injustices, and provides insight into the broader impact of colonization that still affects the world today. We highly recommend this film if you currently occupy the ancestral homelands of the Oceti Sakowin (Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Tribes) and encourage you to explore "treaties" and "sovereignty". Please click the link below to learn more about the film and how to get involved.
This year's South Dakota Indian Education Summit was hosted in Pierre, SD with Keynote Speaker Duane Hollow Horn Bear. This year's theme was Woksape nahan Wookannige Ptaya Najin Au (Knowledge and Understanding brings Unity)! Staff from Admissions, AISC, and Wokini were able to attend the full day event and learn more about K-12 programming and other programming that aligns with the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards (OSEUS). The OSEUS are important in our educational systems to give all students a well-rounded understanding of Oceti Sakowin history, culture, and contributions. "If we do not address the lack of knowledge, we will have a barrier" Brian Wagner, tribal education director of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and tribal education consultatant for the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe speaks on the importance of teaching SD history and including those whom the history is about. The South Dakota Education Equity Coalition (SDEEC) recently announced a call to action regarding the upcoming public hearings for the OSEUs revisions. The South Dakota Board of Education Standards will hold these hearings on:
Sioux Falls: December 19th, 9 AM CST
Pierre: February 10th, 9 AM CST
Rapid City: April 14th, 9 AM MST
"We need your voices to advocate for essential testimony, as there has been insufficient authentic Oceti Sakowin input during the revision process. Key concerns include a lack of tribal consultation, reliance on Wikipedia as a source, and an underrepresentation of Dakota and Nakota perspectives." Please click the link below to learn more and sign-up to have your voice heard.
Courtesy of Aaron C Packard Photography and USD Native Student Services. Pictured: Wokini Scholar Megan Begeman
On Wednesday, November 13th, the University of South Dakota's Native Student Services hosted the "Native Fashion Show & Makers Market" event at the MUC Ballroom. Through a growing partnership, the USD Indigenous support staff invited the SDSU Indigenous support staff and students to attend and participate in the event. Featured designers included Genuine Gentle by Zadya Jo Abbot, Lakota_______ by Trevor Swift Hawk, Nostalgia Vintage by Mattea Scott, and Shinin Star Style by Kyrie Dunkley. Students had the opportunity to participate and walk the runway, many for the first time. We hope to continue this collaborative partnership and look forward to more opportunities!
Avera-Wokini Scholarship Program Going Strong
The Wokini Scholarship program continues to grow as we enter into the 6th year of awarding scholarships to students. Avera was one of the first Wokini partnerships that helped establish the programming and that relationship continues today. Recently the program was highlighted in the SDSU News article found at the link below by Andrew Rasmussen. In this article, you're given the opportunity to see six amazing Avera Wokini Scholars and learn a bit more about them. Each recipient will be highlighted throughout the coming weeks on all our socials, so we hope you'll follow us at the social links at the bottom of the page and help congratulate these amazing Wokini scholars on all their hard work.
The American Indian Student Center is having their monthly Witaya Naunzinpi (We Stand Together) Dinner where the discussion topic is "Graduate School: Applying, Programming, Student Experiences"
December 4th, 2024 at 12pm (until the soup is gone!)
The American Indian Student Center hosts Wahanpi (soup) Wednesday in the AISC Kitchen. ALL are welcome to escape the cold weather with some soup! This is a collaborative event, so if you'd like to bring soup or if your department is interested in hosting future Wahanpi Wednesdays, please click the link below to email Paige Cain.
Join the team, our federal partners from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Tribal Relations, and alumni of this exciting internship opportunity to learn more about how you can apply and gain specialized career experience with programs that benefit Indian Country and relate to USDA tribal agriculture and food policy programs.
To Apply: Email foundation manager Anna Caplan at acaplan@westgov.org or contact Keely Eagleshield at keely.eagleshield@sdstate.edu or Marisa Hare at marisa.hare@sdstate.edu for application.
The Western Governors’ Leadership Institute is a project of the Western Governors’ Foundation. The program is designed to recognize, reward, and promote the effective exercise of leadership by young adults across the West. Every year, the institute selects young adults to represent western states, territories, and tribes as institute delegates. Delegates attend the Annual Meeting of the Western Governors’ Association, as well as a one-day leadership development forum. The foundation covers all expenses associated with delegate participation. The 2025 leadership forum will take place in Santa Fe, New Mexico on June 22, followed by the Western Governors’ Association Annual Meeting, June 23 – June 25.
Wokini Partners with the Office of Career Development
The Wokini office has partnered with the Office of Career Development and the American Indian Student Center to cultivate dynamic and inclusive learning environments with Indigenous students, explore "Indigenizing Professionalism" practices, and enhance engagement with tribes, tribal businesses, and tribal community opportunities.
