Sicangu elders honored

ROSEBUD –The Rosebud Sioux Tribe coordinated a gathering for Sicangu elders to provide a meal, entertainment, social dances and honoring for tribal citizens aged 60+ years.

Organizers publicly recognized several Sicangu elders who have reached the golden age of 90+ years. They were Lois Antoine, Muriel Antoine, Marie Waln, Victoria Plumman, Rose Little Thunder, Clara Carpenter, Pauline Jackson, Justice Colin Sr., Velma Witt and Dorothy Marshall.

Tribally enrolled citizens who have reached the age of 60 are recognized as elders through a resolution approved by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in the 1980s. The resolution also set aside the fourth Friday in May as Tribal Elder Day, a holiday on Rosebud. Organizers recalled when Sicangu elders were acknowledged with a gathering held at Ghost Hawk Park on Tribal Elder Day. There has not been a gathering at the park for many years so the event was enjoyed by many Sicangu grandfathers and grandmothers. In the past, this gathering was held on the same weekend as the annual Elder Games.

The Sicangu Elderly Concerns, Inc. was founded in 1985 and is an incorporated non-profit. This organization continues to coordinate the annual Elder Games, held in the St. Francis Community. The Elder Games have many local businesses as sponsors. The activity is usually held on the third Saturday in May and features several athletic events, including a shinny game.

The activity held over the weekend at the Adam Bordeaux Memorial Arena saw nearly 150 elders register at the Rosebud Fairgrounds. Pat Bad Hand served as the Eyapaha. Red Leaf singers offered honoring songs, as well as the flag song and a Vietnam Veteran’s song. RST Chairman Scott Herman gave a welcome address. Ronald Niess spoke on the history of the Tribal Elder Day. Linda Marshall offered the meal prayer.

Several tables were set up around the wacipi arena for those who attended. Everyone enjoyed a meal of soup, wojapi, fry bread, coffee and juice. The meal was served by volunteers to all tribal elders in attendance. Sicangu wacipi dancers performed exhibition dances for spectators, featuring an eagle dancer, buffalo dancer and bear dancer. Everyone was invited to join in the rabbit, round and potato dance. A special memorial song was rendered for all the Sicangu Lakota citizens who died from COVID-19.

Winners of door prizes included Harold Little Thunder, Wanblee Win Guerue, Lorraine Young, Patsy Ann Valandra, Darrell Marcus, Geraldine Eastman, Shirley Eagle Feather, Leo Chasing In Timber Jr., Sheila Young, David Lays Bad, Sherlynda Red Hawk, Marge Edwards, Violet Two Eagle, Janice White Horse, Francis Never Misses A Shot, George Gunhammer, Alverna Wright, Lonzo Smith, Casper Brave Bird and Jackie Whiting.

Several tribal programs collaborated to sponsor the event. They included the Ambulance Service, Transportation Department, Tribal Council, LIHEAP, Solid Waste, Childcare, Diabetes Prevention Program, Elderly Nutrition/Affairs, Health Administration, IT/Communications, Veterans Affairs and Safety of Dams. Also contributing to the event was All Stop Gas/Grocery of Rosebud.