Author Archives: Vi Waln

By Vi Waln April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) reports someone is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds. Activities are planned to increase awareness to widespread sex crimes across this country. Many victims are children. Being sexually assaulted as a child affects one for life. There are also manyContinue reading “April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month”

By Vi Waln The Commission for Oceti Sakowin Accreditation (COSA) is an organization of dedicated educators who have worked for several years to affect change in the school systems. The curriculum currently mandated by accreditation authorities for South Dakota has been failing us for decades. The educators behind COSA grew weary of watching tribal studentsContinue reading “Accreditation Authority Should Be Granted to Tribal Educators”

By Vi Waln The Rosebud Comprehensive Health Care Facility has been operating under an improvement plan for quite some time. This plan was put into place after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) found several questionable incidents or practices had happened at the hospital, some of which jeopardized the lives of patients. CMSContinue reading “Rosebud Hospital’s Improvement Plan”

By Vi Waln One of the most amazing things about the anti-pipeline movement is witnessing human beings unite in prayer. The spiritual energy created by the people who came together in this movement was experienced by many visitors to the Oceti Sakowin, Rosebud or Sacred Stone camps. No matter what happens, that spiritual fire willContinue reading “Lateral Violence Doesn’t Help Unci Maka”

Vi Waln The Lakota people have always been a matriarchal society. The Lakota men who understand what a matriarchal society involves, were raised to show respect for women. In Lakota culture, women are the givers of life and are considered sacred beings. As women, we have always had an important voice in Lakota society. OurContinue reading “I am a Lakota Woman and I know My Place”

By Vi Waln Last month, President Barack Obama issued an Executive Proclamation stating “Whether through violence, deceit, or the promises of a better life, some of the most vulnerable populations among us — including migrants and refugees fleeing conflict or disaster, homeless LGBT youth, Alaska Native and American Indian women and girls, and children inContinue reading “Human Trafficking is Closer than you Think”

By Vi Waln According to the American Indian Cancer Foundation, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among American Indians. You will greatly reduce your chances of getting cancer if you are a non-smoker. Unfortunately, American Indians probably have the highest rates of tobacco use in the world. Contrary to what you mayContinue reading “Our People are Addicted to Commercial Tobacco”

By Vi Waln Many of us living on today’s reservations grew up in homes that practiced some form of Christianity. This is largely due to our ancestors being forced to adapt to the Christian way of worship after being confined to the homelands we now live on. The boarding school experience also conditioned many ofContinue reading “Solstice Prayers are Important”

  For Immediate Release Tue., Dec. 13, 2016 Chairman Robert Flying Hawk | robertflyinghawk@gmail.com | Jennifer Baker | jbaker@ndnlaw.com | 303-673-9600   WASHINGTON, D.C. — The surreal meeting on Friday, December 9, 2016 in Washington, D.C. was a direct result of frontline water protectors, tribal leaders, spiritual leaders and elders, the camps at Standing Rock,Continue reading “Oceti Sakowin Tribes Hold Meetings, Provide Testimony on Dakota Access Pipeline in D.C.”

By Vi Waln The Native Nation Rebuilder Program seeks to inspire, equip and connect citizens from 23 tribal nations who want to strengthen tribal governance. The Native Governance Center and the Native Nations Institute offer a curriculum to assist tribal citizens in improving their leadership skills. This month, 18 more Native Nation Rebuilders reached theContinue reading “Tribal Citizens Want Change”