Tribal leaders take office at Rosebud

ROSEBUD – A newly elected tribal president, vice president, council representatives and community officers were sworn into office by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s Chief Judge Sherman Marshall.

Kathleen Wooden Knife took the Oath of Office as the first woman to ever be elected to the highest seat in tribal government. She served nearly 3 terms as the tribal council representative for the Soldier Creek community.

“I have a lot of compassion and I feel that if we’re going to take care of the people, compassion plays a vital role in that because everything that our people need, it sits with us,” stated President Wooden Knife. “You as the [tribal council] body are responsible for the betterment, the protection of our people. We, administratively, will assist through our administration duties with our employees who are here to provide for our people. That is all of our jobs.”

Lisa White Pipe was sworn in as the new RST Vice-president. She is the second woman to be elected to the vice president seat. She also served nearly 3 terms on the tribal council as the Bull Creek representative.

President Wooden Knife also introduced her newly appointed staff. They include Lori Walking Eagle (Chief of Staff), Russel Eagle Bear (Presidential Cultural Laison), Linda Marshall (Legislative Advisor), Tonia Marshall (Office Administrator), as well as Leana Long and Shari Burnette (Office Managers).

Ten tribal council representatives also took the Oath of Office as administered by Chief Judge Marshall. They include Dolores Totes Waln (Antelope), Stanley Wooden Knife Jr. (Corn Creek), Royal Yellow Hawk (He Dog), Alvin Bear Heels Sr. (Ring Thunder), Shere Wright Plank (Rosebud), Michael Boltz Sr. (St. Francis), Willie Kindle (Swift Bear), Marian Little Thunder (Upper Cut Meat), Todd Bearshield (Bull Creek) and Robert Rattling Leaf (Horse Creek).

Community presidents sworn in for the next year include Melinda Yellow Eagle (Antelope), Marla Ferguson (Black Pipe), Trisha Chasing Hawk (Bull Creek), Michelle Montez (Butte Creek), Audie Larvie (Corn Creek), Vanessa Red Hawk Thompson (Grass Mountain), Richard Tuffy Lunderman (He Dog), Evelyn Sam Iyotte (Horse Creek), Danny Grant (Okreek), Leah Running Bear (Parmelee), Angel Eagle Cloud (Ring Thunder), Deana Haukaas (Rosebud), Johanna Brave (St. Francis), Rhonda Black Lance Meek (Soldier Creek), Darwin Walking Eagle (Spring Creek), Josephine Ryan (Swift Bear), Donna Hollow Horn Bear (Two Strike), Tessa Two Eagle (Upper Cut Meat), Rachel Andrews (Ideal). Milks Camp will elect their Community President at a later date.

The RST president, vice-president and tribal council representatives will all serve 3-year terms. The community presidents are elected to one-year terms. In 2025, the tribe will conduct an election for a tribal secretary and tribal treasurer. For more information, please call the Rosebud Sioux Tribe at 605-747-2381.