Russell Means, 1939-2012. Photo by Jesse Abernathy / Native Sun News
The Rez of the Story: Influential People
By Vince Two Eagles
Lakota Country Times Columnist Hau Mitakuepi (Greetings My Relatives), Time magazine recently published their 100 Most Influential People List for this year. Unless I missed it, there were no Natives included in their list so I thought it might be appropriate to offer a few names of my own. Here is my 2015 list of the 10 most influential Natives for the last several decades here in Indian Country. I thought about the criterion that would be best applicable to creating such a list; and that would be those Native folks in my neck of the woods who helped not only create conversation in their respective fields of endeavor but through their on-going activity help sustain those conversations over the years. These are individuals I think would fill out such a list--perhaps you have one of your own. My list of influential Indian people does not necessarily mean that they were always agreeable to everyone with their views but through their tenacity and personally held convictions nevertheless influenced history in some way in my humble opinion.
Tim Giago. Photo by Talli Nauman
For his column about and for Native issues the list has to begin with Mr. Tim Giago. According to Wikipedia he founded the ’Lakota Times’ on the Pine Ridge reservation--the first Native owned and operated Indian newspaper. “In 1992 he went national and changed his paper to ‘Indian Country Today.’ Giago sold the paper in 1998 but later founded the Lakota Journal which he sold in 2009. I first became aware of Tim’s writing when he worked for the Rapid City Journal in 1979. My list has to include the one and only Russell Means. Wikipedia reports that “He became the most prominent member of the American Indian Movement after joining the organization in 1968. He began his acting career in 1992 appearing in numerous films, including ’The Last of the Mohicans.’ He released his own musical CD.” His notoriety was international. I include the current owner and editor of ‘Lakota Country Times,’ Connie Smith whose influence is not only local, regional, national but international as well because of her well established weekly newspaper. Her notoriety will be legendary in the coming years. My fourth pick would be Jr. LaPlante who was the first cabinet level Secretary of Indian Affairs here in South Dakota. He recently left that position to pursue his law career and beyond. His shoes will be a challenge to fill no doubt.
Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman, 1936-2007. Photo from official website
Then the list would not be authentic without my old friend Floyd Westerman. He was most remembered by many in his role as Ten Bears in Dances with Wolves but I will always remember his unique singing voice (that rich baritone) and activist career as most outstanding and influential over the years he was here among us. I think Severt Young Bear had a significant influence on the Pow Wow circuit for his outstanding humor, knowledge of traditional Lakota culture, was fluent in the Lakota language and his singing group, ‘The Porcupine Singers’ is legendary as well. The list would not be complete without Charmaine Wisecarver for her vigilance regarding treaty and United Nations issues. Her unique focus on uranium mining issues is invaluable. She will always be remembered for her untiring efforts. Gene Thin Elk for his groundbreaking work in alcoholism treatment called ’The Red Road’ (focusing on Native philosophy and its usefulness as a treatment tool) also makes my “Ten Most Influential Natives” list. His annual gathering of ’Red Roaders’ as they are referred to throughout Indian Country, is a classic conference experience.
Charon Asetoyer. Still image from Sovereign Bodies / Vimeo
Charon Asetoyer who is director of ’The Women’s Resource Center’ in Lake Andes is on my list too. Her pioneering work with battered women and other women’s health issues in Native Country does not go unnoticed either. Her advocacy for Native family is commendable. I would round out my list of the 10 most Influential Native people of the last half century with Dr. Craig Howe for his outstanding work on the historical document describing the Seven Council Fires of the Great Sioux Nation as a curriculum guide is also more than worth mentioning. And now you know the rez of the story. Doksha (later). . . Find the award-winning Lakota Country Times on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter.
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