Author Archives: Vi Waln

Our Lakota origin story recounts our emergence from Wind Cave in the Black Hills. No other people on Earth can say they were born from Wind Cave. Our ancestors negotiated treaties with the federal government in good faith. The Black Hills were set aside for the Oceti Sakowin because of the treaties. Yet, the discoveryContinue reading “Honor The Treaties”

A letter from -Viggo Mortensen Mount Rushmore A little historical perspective to keep in mind about Mount Rushmore, site of Donald Trump’s controversial Independence Day celebration this weekend: The Mount Rushmore National Memorial, in the sacred Lakota He Sápa (Black Hills), was created by sculptor Gutzon Borglum nearly 80 years ago. He had previously beenContinue reading “A letter from -Viggo Mortensen”

The Black Lives Matter movement has exploded in this country. There are many protests being held against police officers who have murdered Black, Latino, Asian and Lakota people in cold-blood. The protests against corrupt police have escalated in cities and towns across Turtle Island. Consequently, the election of the sitting president in 2016 has broughtContinue reading “More on Lateral Violence”

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. A majority of our Lakota elders suffer abuse every single day. Their adult children take advantage of them. Some of them have adult grandchildren who also take advantage of them. Our Lakota elders are our most valuable resource. Many tribes have approved resolutions allowing elders to receiveContinue reading “June 15 is World Elder Abuse Day”

The Indigenous peoples of Mother Earth have always been looked upon with distain on by governments as not being human beings. In fact, Black or African people who were kidnapped from their country and brought to Turtle Island were considered only 3/5 human for many, many decades. In addition, Lakota and other people Indigenous toContinue reading “#BlackLivesMatter #LakotaLivesMatter”

SPRINGFIELD, S.D. – Domestic Violence (DV) is a harsh reality for Indian Country, 4 out of 5 American Indian/Alaska Native women are suffering from domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Nearly every reservation in this state has a shelter offering safety for Lakota women who have been battered by their husband, boyfriend or companion. These sheltersContinue reading “Artists Fundraising for DV Shelter”

Watch YouTube Video Here From President Rodney M. Bordeaux: Reservation Wide Lockdown There are now officially up to 14 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within Todd County.I am advising that the Rosebud Sioux Tribe will be locked down effective at midnight tonight (12:01 AM) 05/14/20 until 05/17/20 at 6 AM. This is being done pursuant toContinue reading “Rosebud Reservation Locks Down”

The survival of Lakota people is paramount. Corona virus (COVID-19) is a highly contagious sickness. The Oglala Lakota Nation and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe acted quickly to protect their tribal citizens from an outbreak of COVID-19 cases. This happened when both tribes established highway checkpoints on major roads running through their territory. These efforts haveContinue reading “Our Lives Matter”

ROSEBUD RESERVATION – Rosebud Economic Development Corporation (REDCO), the economic arm of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, has secured nearly 28,000 acres of native grassland for the creation of a new plains bison herd with the support of the Rosebud’s Tribal Land Enterprise. With a capacity to support 1,500 animals, the Wolakota Buffalo Range will becomeContinue reading “ROSEBUD SIOUX TRIBE TO CREATE NORTH AMERICA’S LARGEST NATIVE OWNED AND MANAGED BISON HERD”

  This week (May 3-9, 2020) is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. May 7 is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. We claim our children are sacred but the majority of Lakota people don’t walk the talk. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) “are stressfulContinue reading “Mental Health and Lakota Children”