St. Francis, SD – A renewed focus on student achievement and school improvement is paying off at SFIS, which recently advanced to “Approaching Expectations” under the BIE accountability system. This change reflects years of intentional work across the entire school — strengthening instruction, improving attendance, and expanding student support aligned with Every Student Succeeds ActContinue reading “Tribal BIE School marks historic shift in accountability status”
Author Archives: Vi Waln
39 file for 10 RST council vacancies
Rosebud, SD – UPDATED WITH CHALLENGES FILED BY RST ELECTION BOARD—hearings set — Thirty-nine hopeful tribal citizens from 10 communities have filed nominating petitions to be vetted for inclusion on the 2026 tribal council Primary Election Ballot. Black Pipe: Christopher Eagle Bear, John Stands By Ear, Vincent Charging Hawk and Margaret Morrison. Grass Mountain: MicheleContinue reading “39 file for 10 RST council vacancies”
Bad Medicine
Disease of the mind. Do you know what that phrase means? What do you think? I’ve learned that disease of the mind is something that is highly contagious. It’s a horrible epidemic in our reservation society. People also talk about “bad medicine.” Disease of the mind is an example of “bad medicine.” Disease of theContinue reading “Bad Medicine”
RPB business of the year
Mission, SD – Rosebud Building Products owners will receive the 2026 South Dakota Woman-Owned Small Business of the year award by SD SBA Director Bryson Patterson next month. Patterson will present the award during national small business week at the stores Mission location on May 8, 2026. The community is encouraged to attend and celebrateContinue reading “RPB business of the year”
Our love is stronger than their fear
Last week, one of Kristi Noem’s Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shot and killed Reene Nicole Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I watched all the videos and I don’t think he was justified in shooting her. She was trying to drive away from him and I didn’t see where she hit him with her vehicle, heContinue reading “Our love is stronger than their fear”
Racial Profiling
I’m writing this on Friday, December 26, 2025, the 163rd anniversary of the Mankato hangings of the Dakota 38+2 ordered by Abraham Lincoln. The Bom Homme County sheriff’s office created a post on their Facebook page. I’ll put it here for you in case you haven’t seen it yet. It says “Bon Homme County residents:Continue reading “Racial Profiling”
More on lateral violence
Last week, I watched the Rosebud Sioux Tribe council meeting and listened to the annual report from Sinte Greska University given by President Dr. Erica Moore and Vice-President Scott Herman. They gave a very comprehensive report by updating the status of all programs at our Tribal university. The SGU report begins at approximately 3:05:00 inContinue reading “More on lateral violence”
Tokata Etuŋwaŋ Wakaŋyeža Owičakiyapi (Looking to the Future, Healing the Children)
ROSEBUD – Four professional counselors from Tokata Etuŋwaŋ Wakaŋyeža Owičakiyapi, a newly formed Wellness program serving Rosebud shared information at an RST tribal council meeting last week. The TEWO team includes: Charisse Bordeaux, Dr. Kristin Iyotte, Blaise Leneaugh and Lila Rose Leader Charge. They recently launched Tokata Etuŋwaŋ Wakaŋyeža Owičakiyapi (Looking to the Future, HealingContinue reading “Tokata Etuŋwaŋ Wakaŋyeža Owičakiyapi (Looking to the Future, Healing the Children)”
Reclaiming wellness the native way
Thundermaker Wellness founded by Ho-chunk Tribal member Hunter Thundercloud is helping to reshape the way recovery and mental healthcare are delivered in Indian country. Based in Arizona, Thundermaker Wellness focuses on substance use and mental health healing through a holistic lens. The program ranges from 6 months to 2 years, beginning with a stabilization phaseContinue reading “Reclaiming wellness the native way”
SGU celebrates leadership
Sinte Gleska University proudly celebrates the one-year anniversary of President Erica Moore ‘s leadership and extraordinary year defined by stability progress and transformed transformative accomplishments across every area of the institution. After a two-year national search, Sinte Gleska University elected Dr. Moore as its President. Dr. Moore accepted the position to guide the university throughContinue reading “SGU celebrates leadership”
Sicangu News 