Sicangu News

ROSEBUD – The hearing officer for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Election Board dismissed a challenge to the election last week citing the complaint was not brought against a candidate.

Several people attended the public hearing in person while others viewed a live feed of the proceedings where challenger Calvin Hawkeye Waln, Jr. stated his case against Bonnie Hairy Shirt, a member of the St. Francis Community.

After hearing statements, the lawyers in the hearing said the complaint would be dismissed because it was not aimed at any candidate. A police report has reportedly been filed which alleges that alcoholic beverages were exchanged for votes during the August 24, 2023 election. View the hearing on YouTube

The winning candidates were subsequently certified as the General Election winners. All tribal council representatives, officers and community officers were sworn by RST Chief Judge Sherman Marshall at a special council session held on September 8 in the council chambers.

Sworn in were Nicole Marshall (secretary), Louis Wayne Boyd (treasurer) and ten tribal council representatives: Christopher Eagle Bear (Black Pipe), Travis Wooden Knife (Butte Creek), Michelle Hollow Horn Bear-Traversie (Grass Mountain), Charles DuBray, Jr. (Ideal), William Bill James Marshall (Milks Camp), Wayne Frederick (Okreek), Emily Boyd-Valandra (Parmelee), Kathleen Wooden Knife (Soldier Creek), Lila Kills In Sight (Spring Creek) and Ben Black Bear, III (Two Strike).

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe holds at-large elections for their administrative officers and tribal council members to serve three-year staggered terms. On July 25, 2024, tribal voters will vote in a Primary Election to determine the top two candidates for the following positions: President and Vice-President. In addition, tribal council seats open for election in 2024 are Antelope, Rosebud, St. Francis, He Dog, Ring Thunder, Bull Creek, Swift Bear, Corn Creek, Upper Cut Meat and Horse Creek. The General Election is scheduled for August 22, 2024.

Also sworn in were the winning candidates from nineteen community elections held in conjunction with the General Election. Each community is entitled to be represented by a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and sergeant at arms. Community officer positions are one-year terms and candidates are voted in by members of their respective community only. Consequently, community officer positions not filled during the General Election will be filled according to each community’s by-laws. Taking the Oath of Office for their community were:

Antelope: President Melinda Yellow Eagle, Vice President Tenille Selwyn and Treasurer Shannon Brill.

Black Pipe: President Marla Ferguson.

Bull Creek: President Trisha Chasing Hawk, Vice President Scott Harsin and Treasurer Wilma Robertson.

Butte Creek: President Michelle Montez.

Corn Creek: No applicants for officer positions.

Grass Mountain: President Vanessa Red Hawk Thompson and Vice President Nicole Stone.

He Dog: President Richard Tuffy Lunderman.

Horse Creek: President Rachel Antoine.

Ideal: President Rachel Andrews, Vice President Rose Mendoza, Secretary Shanesse Flood and Treasurer Paula Antoine.

Milks Camp: President Sherman Jim Marshall.

Okreek: Treasurer Wilda Night Pipe.

Parmelee: President Melvin Shot With Two Arrows, Jr.

Ring Thunder: President Angel Eagle Cloud, Vice President Jennifer Sierra, Secretary Summer Valandra and Treasurer Raine Eagle Cloud.

Rosebud: President Luellen Titter Wright and Vice President Caroline Leroy.

St. Francis: President Johanna Brave, Vice President Andrea Eagle Pipe and Treasurer Rhea Two Eagle.

Soldier Creek: President Rhonda Black Lance, Vice President Timothy Black Lance and Treasurer Valerie Crazy Bull.

Swift Bear: President Robert Becker, Vice President Josephine M. Ryan and Secretary/Treasurer Schyler Krogman.

Two Strike: President Wendy Black Tail Deer Medley and Vice-President Ida Marshall.

Upper Cut Meat: Treasurer Mary Standing Elk.

In last month’s General Election, nearly 2,000 registered voters cast a ballot. According to the 2020 Census, there are approximately 26,000 tribal citizens living on the Rosebud Reservation. An estimated 7,000 tribal citizens are actually registered to vote.

ROSEBUD – The Tribal Election Board accepted a challenge to the Primary Election filed by a candidate and issued a statement on social media halting the swearing in ceremony “indefinitely.”

On Saturday, September 2, 2023, social media posts on Facebook pages maintained by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe announced the Election Board’s decision to “indefinitely” halt the swearing in of winning candidates. The announcement appeared on the KOYA FM, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Communications and the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council Facebook pages.

Candidate for Tribal Secretary, Calvin “Hawkeye” Waln, Jr., filed the challenge with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Election office last week alleging violations of the Tribal Election Code. The challenge was based on language in the Code under Section 903: Ban on Electioneering, Campaigning and Loitering. No other details on the challenge were available.

Section 903 prohibits electioneering or campaigning within one hundred feet of any voting place on election day. The section also bans loitering in the voting place on election day by anyone other than the judges, the sergeant-at-arms and formally designated poll watchers.

The Code also states that electioneering shall mean any interference or attempted interference with the election and any influence or attempt to influence the voter or community election judges by word, action or expression. A candidate’s supporters also may not influence or attempt to influence the voter or community election judges by word, action or expression.

Candidates for the two officer seats in tribal government received the following unofficial votes. Tribal secretary: Nicole Marshall (1,008 votes) and Calvin Hawkeye Waln Jr. (969 votes).

Tribal Treasurer: Louis Wayne Boyd (1,093 votes) and Dr. Luti Stone Davis (884 votes).

Candidates for the ten tribal council seats received the following unofficial votes.

Black Pipe: Christopher Eagle Bear (1,006) and Vincent “Vinnie” Charging Hawk (935 votes).

Butte Creek Community: Travis Wooden Knife (1,191 votes) and Brandi Bettelyoun (734 votes).

Grass Mountain: Michelle Hollow Horn Bear-Traversie (1,200 votes) and Gary M. Hacker (746 votes).

Ideal: Charles DuBray, Jr. (1,093 votes) and incumbent Tennille Black Feather (835 votes).

Milks Camp:  Incumbent William Bill James Marshall (1,122 votes) and Byron Andrews, Sr. (798 votes).

Okreek: Incumbent Wayne Frederick (1,151 votes) and Stephan DeNoyer, III (789 votes).

Parmelee: Emily Boyd-Valandra (1,098 votes) and Archie Brown (849 votes).

Soldier Creek: Kathleen Wooden Knife (1,381 votes) and incumbent Norman Running Sr. (538 votes).

Spring Creek: Lila Kills In Sight (1,106 votes) and Darwin Walking Eagle Jr. (829 votes).

Two Strike: Ben Black Bear, III (1,049 votes) and incumbent Donna Hollow Horn Bear (795 votes).

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe elects their officials to serve 3-year staggered terms. Next year tribal voters will elect a President and Vice-President. Voters will also choose tribal council representatives from Antelope, Rosebud, St. Francis, He Dog, Ring Thunder, Bull Creek, Swift Bear, Corn Creek, Upper Cut Meat and Horse Creek.

The vote tallies from the General Election will remain unofficial until the Election Board certifies the results following the hearing on the challenge. An estimated 26,000 tribal citizens reside in the twenty communities on the Rosebud Reservation. There are an estimated 7,000 tribal citizens registered to vote. Election tallies show less than 2,000 registered voters went to the polls on August 24 to cast a ballot.

UPDATE

Election Board Schedules Hearing

Teen dating violence in Indian Country is an issue every one of us should be talking about. It is up to parents, school employees and other trusted adults to educate our young people about what is a healthy relationship and what is not healthy. Violence is very subtle in relationships.

Teen dating violence is also known as intimate partner violence or intimate relationship violence and is a serious problem in this country. Teen Dating Violence affects about 10% of all teenagers between the age of 12 to 18. It includes stalking, harassment, as well as physical or sexual abuse.

In February 2023, I listened to young people from California talk about teen violence. They spoke on issues which affect all young people across the country, including Indigenous teens.

Ana Campos spoke about her experience as a 17-year-old survivor of intimate partnership violence. She works with Laura’s House, a domestic violence shelter in Orange County, California. She said part of the reason why so much domestic violence happens in teens is because they can’t recognize red flags in the relationship.

Campos believes providing education at school teaching the difference between romantic relationship red flags versus green flags is crucial in teenagers lives. When students aren’t taught about what dating violence really is, they will grow up to be adults who perpetuate the cycle of abuse that should have stopped when they were young.

For example, if there were no healthy relationships to witness firsthand as children, they will learn to behave in the same way as their parents did or still do. When children grow up in violent homes, they will likely have the same behavior as adults.

“People don’t know what teen violence is. A lot of people think it is just physical but it’s mental, psychological and so many other ways,” Campos stated.

For example, “young men do think women and young girls are not as good as men. I think there definitely is this superiority that they feel in themselves and that isn’t cool,” Campos said. “Society also pressures males to be the masculine one or to have super big egos.”

Teen males might feel pressured “to be the dominant one and for people to assert that dominance they could think of showing that through violence. Perhaps that’s why domestic violence is happening with youth,” Campos concluded.

Listen to other young people talk about teen dating violence in this video.

Digital dating abuse getting you down? In this video we see how teens can stand up for healthy relationships by becoming part of That’s Not Cool! For more information, or to become an ambassador, visit us at www.thatsnotcool.com

As Indigenous people and extended family members, we are responsible to model healthy relationships to our young people. We are responsible to create the change for our young people. However, many of our people did not grow up witnessing any healthy relationships within our extended family. Violence is happening in homes right now.

Historical trauma affects most of us in Indian Country. This trauma tends to manifest in our contemporary lives as dysfunction and at-risk behavior. Alcohol and drug use aggravates many underlying issues passed down to us through inter generational trauma.

Our children need healthy relationships in their lives to know how to behave. When our children aren’t exposed to any healthy relationships, they won’t have any examples to draw from to choose how to act. If you live with children, please know you are a role model. Be conscious of your behavior.

Maya Henry also spoke for the youth from Peace Over Violence, a sexual and domestic violence, intimate partner stalking, child abuse and youth violence prevention center in Los Angeles, California. Maya is 16 years old.

“If you never see examples of healthy, non-abuse love in textbooks, in sex ed class, on TV, in your favorite novel, and you are also already perpetually dealing with trauma that often comes from being in a disenfranchised community, like LGBTQ it just creates a horrible environment where it is hard to understand what constitutes a healthy versus an unhealthy relationship,” Henry said.

“Trauma can only lead to more trauma, it just exists in a never-ending cycle where nobody wins and everybody loses,” Henry continued. “And that encompasses all types of violence, gun violence, physical abuse and partner violence.”

According to the Indian Health Service (IHS), approximately 1 in 3 adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner. American Indian and Alaska Native young women are survivors of dating violence or will experience dating violence at some point in their lives.

Many young people believe the lack of dialogue about relationships or dating leads to the lack of dialogue about problems with these relationships or teen dating violence. Parents and other trusted adults are some of the most important people in youth lives.

“Dating and intimate relationships are still something that is so sparsely discussed with youth,” stated Armaan Sharma, a sophomore from Fremont, California. He works with the Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments (SAVE).

“If parents don’t initiate conversations about dating or relationships or create a safe space for discussion, teens will (a) lack education about these topics and will have to turn to other potentially misleading sources or (b) will not be comfortable discussing these topics with parents, ever,” Sharma said.

Teen domestic violence can bring serious short-term and long-term consequences. Healthy relationships in our lives will tend to have a positive effect on our emotional development, which helps with future relationships. Abusive relationships do the opposite. Victims of dating violence are more likely to have suicidal thoughts, antisocial behaviors, depression and anxiety, as well as engaging in unhealthy choices such as alcohol and drug use.

“Parents, learn to have a conversation with your children from a place of love and acceptance, as opposed to shame and blame. Because once you talk to a child and you are shaming them and blaming them – and not just a child but anyone – people shut down,” stated Kandee Lewis, CEO of Positive Results Center and Founder of Black Women Leaders of Los Angeles.

“We’re not going to have any kind of conversation if you are shaming and blaming me,” Lewis said. “And that’s what happens a lot of times in abusive relationships – they are shaming and blaming and making the person who is being abused feel like it is their fault, when it is never their fault.”

“We didn’t just walk through just one pandemic, we’ve walked through five pandemics – the pandemic of COVID, the pandemic of sexual assault, the pandemic of domestic violence, the pandemic of economic disparity and housing insecurity. Now parents must work two or three or four jobs and our children don’t have the same opportunity to speak with a trusted adult,” Lewis said. “If you don’t take the time to talk to your child, someone else will. And that other person may not have their best interests at heart, because that other person might be the abuser.”

If you or someone you know is involved in an abusive relationship of any kind, immediate and confidential support is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s project focused on supporting young people by visiting loveisrespect.org, calling 1-866-331-9474 or texting “LOVEIS” to 22522.

Rosebud, S.D. – Korean veteran Eugene Iron Shell, Sr. was part of the most recent Midwest Honor Flight, held to honor soldiers with complimentary travel to memorial sites.

Iron Shell, a 90-year-old descendant of Chief Iron Shell, was accompanied by his son, Eugene Iron Shell Jr. The weekend began with a banquet for all the veterans in the Sioux Falls Convention Center the evening before the Midwest Honor Flight. The group of 82 veterans were hosted for the trip by the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Mission 7 to visit military memorials and monuments in Washington, D.C.

“He was one of the very few Native Americans to ever go on the Midwest Honor Flight,” said Iron Shell Jr. “Most Indian Country veterans do not know about this opportunity.”  The tour included World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Iwo Jima (Marine), Navy and Air Force Memorials.

Iron Shell witnessed the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery. He enjoyed visiting the Korean War Veterans Memorial. He remembered George, his oldest brother and WWII Veteran, while viewing the WWII Memorial. 

“The most memorable part of his journey was the homecoming, after we got back to Sioux Falls,” stated Iron Shell, Jr. “There were people at the airport to welcome them, and all of the families were waiting at the Sioux Falls Arena to say welcome home.” 

A proclamation issued by Scott Herman, Rosebud Sioux Tribal President, declared September 19, 2021 as Eugene S Iron Shell Sr Day. It read in part: “Eugene Steven Iron Shell, Sr., age 92 years was born on August 6, 1929 to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Iron Shell, Sr. in Rosebud. He was one of 13 siblings and was baptized into the Catholic Church by Fr. Eugene Buechel, SJ. He went to school at St. Francis Mission From 1935-1947. When the 82nd Airborn Division recruiter came to St. Francis, he enlisted in the United States Army along with his brother James and also Doley White Eyes.”

Eugene’s first military assignment was as a parachute rigger in the 82^nd Airborne Division. He was an outstanding solider and was quickly promoted to Corporal. In 1951 he was transferred to Company L, 3^rd Battalion, 187^th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. He was a combat infantryman, participating in the battles along the 28^th parallel at Kumwa Valley and the Chorwon Valley. He also participated in the breaking up the prisoner riots at Koje-do, Korea.

Eugene came home in August 1953. He then went back to the 82^nd Airborne Division, this time to the 325^th Airborne Infantry, where he was the guidon bearer for Company E. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant, he was subsequently assigned to the recruiting office of the 18^th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, NC. His final assignment was with Company I, 508^th Airborne Regimental Combat Team in Fort Campbell, KY and Japan.

Eugene later earned a degree in counseling. He was a counselor at both the St. Francis Mission and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. He has been sober since June 13, 1975.

Eugene is a member of the Kit Fox Warrior Society, a position held by his great-grandfather Arnold Iron Shell. As a young man Eugene, met the late Bill Schweigman, a yuwipi man, and learned the traditional Lakota ceremonies. He sun danced at Crow Dog’s Paradise for 30 years.

Eugene has been a member of the Chauncey Eagle Horn-Phillip Iyotte American Legion Post 125 for 44 years. He served as a post commander and as Todd County Commander for 16 years. Since 1978, he has provided military funeral honors to thousands of veterans across the Rosebud Reservation. He still volunteers when needed for the firing squad at funerals.

Eugene has 3 adult children: James, Ronda and Eugene Jr. He has one living sister Theresa Iron Shell-Hiatt of Hastings, NE. He has many grandchildren and extended family members. He resides with family in Rosebud, SD.

Midwest Honor Flight is a non-profit, 100% volunteer organization in Northwest Iowa, South Dakota, and Southwest Minnesota dedicated to providing Veterans with respect, honor, and closure with an all-expense-paid trip to our nation’s capital. Interested veterans or their family members must apply to be considered for the Midwest Honor Flight and are placed on a waiting list.

“I was able to sign up one of our Vietnam Veterans for Midwest Honor Flight,” said Eugene Iron Shell, Jr. “I think all of the Veterans from WWII, Korea and Vietnam should have the opportunity to visit The Wall or the Korean Memorial or the WWII Memorial. I have applications if anyone is interested. It is a very simple process.”

Rosebud, S.D. – US House Representative Dusty Johnson presented a Challenger Coin and lapel pin to several Vietnam veterans in a special ceremony held here last week.

The presentations to Vietnam and Vietnam veterans are a cooperative effort between the Department of Defense, Department of Veteran’s Affairs and the US House of Representatives. On behalf of the Congressional office, the veterans received a Challenge Coin, which depicts the seal of South Dakota on one side. The seal of the US House is on the other side of the coin. 

The Vietnam era was “a dark time in our country’s history,” stated Congressman Johnson. “This is an opportunity for America to step up and try to right one of those wrongs.”

“Indian Country and the Lakota have always celebrated their warriors,” continued Johnson. “America, as a whole, has not done as good a job. Today, we will be shaking the hands of these Vietnam and Vietnam Era veterans, thanking them for service.”

A grateful nation thanks and honors you – is the message engraved on the back of the Challenger Coin. “That is the message we did not provide properly when people returned home from Vietnam,” Johnson said.

Other local veterans who were honored included Anthony Castaway (Army), Francis White Bird (Army), Fremont Fallis (Army), Charles Mancini (Air Force), Bill Menard (Army), Jim Herman (Marines), Orlando Morrison (Army) and OJ Semans (Navy). Others recognized were Vaugh Matt Gordon (Army), Melford Leighton (Army), George Leneaugh (Army). Robert Kelly served in the Marine Corp but was not able to attend. His metal was accepted by Jasmine Henry.

It is estimated that 42,000 Native Americans served in the military during the Vietnam era. According to the Vietnam Memorial, there were 248 American Indians/Alaska Natives killed during the Vietnam war.

The Sicangu Lakota Warriors served as the Color Guard for the honoring. Eyapaha was Pat Bad Hand, Sr.  Bad Hand also sang the Lakota Flag Song, a Vietnam veteran song and an honor song. Staff members from Senator Thune and Senator Rounds office also attended the event. The RST Veteran’s office provided lunch to all who attended.

The lapel pins were presented to recognize, thank and honor local Lakota military veterans who served during the Vietnam War. Eligible veterans included living US veterans who served on active duty in the US Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, are eligible to receive one lapel pin.

Copyright © 2021 Vi Waln, All rights reserved.

Lots of small Lakota children are being traumatized as you read this. Parents, guardians, grandparents or other caregivers are inflicting trauma on our children every minute of every day. Trauma isn’t just physical abuse. Mental, emotional and spiritual trauma is also child abuse.

There are lots of small children acting out the effects of trauma. For example, there are many children on our reservations that learn how to be a bully in their homes. People responsible for the care of children may often believe they only have to feed, clothe and provide shelter for the small children in their care. They haven’t a clue about how their personal behavior is traumatizing the children in their home.

For instance, there are a lot of Lakota people right now whom are heavily addicted to using large amounts of drugs or alcohol. Substance abuse regularly happens in front of the children in the home. There are also many children who witness extreme levels of violence in their homes. Yelling, physical assaults and adult dysfunction are just a handful of behaviors our children and teens are exposed to every single day. Consequently, these are behaviors which inflict trauma on our youth.

People who have to regularly cuss are also inflicting trauma. There are articles out there right now that encourage the use of cuss words by adults. When people cuss all the time or are unable to carry on a normal conversation without interjecting the F word between every other spoken word, it creates negativity in the home.

Also, when every other word out of your mouth is f***, you can be certain the children and teens in your care will follow the example you’re setting. This is very obvious in the number of small children who call adults “bitch” or other disrespectful names. It’s not funny when I hear a 4-year-old child say f*** you to an adult.

Right this very minute, there are small children home alone. They were not sent to school today. Many don’t have clean clothes. Others don’t have any food in the house because the SNAP card was sold for drugs or alcohol. These are traumatized children who will grow into adults and likely suffer a myriad of issues in their lives.

The trauma children suffer stays with them. It isn’t forgotten when they reach adulthood. They will likely inflict the same kind of trauma on their own children, perpetuating the vicious cycle we all witness on a regular basis. Our children deserve a healthy childhood in a home with caring, sober adults. Our children deserve to eat a good meal, have clean clothes to wear, as well as look forward to a safe home after school and on weekends. Parents are obligated to help their children grow into healthy adults.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) “are stressful or traumatic events, including abuse and neglect. They may also include household dysfunction such as witnessing domestic violence or growing up with family members who have substance use disorders. ACEs are strongly related to the development and prevalence of a wide range of health problems throughout a person’s lifespan, including those associated with substance misuse.

ACEs include, but are not limited to: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, intimate partner violence, mother treated violently, substance misuse within household, household mental illness, parental separation or divorce and an incarcerated household member.”

May 10 is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. We often claim our children are sacred but most of us don’t walk the talk. It’s up to you to raise healthy children. Do your part to break the vicious cycle.

Vi Waln (Sicangu Lakota) can be reached at cantepublishing@goldenwest.net