Mary McDonnell, the actress who was cast into the role of Stands With A Fist in the 1990 Academy Award winning movie Dances With Wolves, interviews Sinte Gleska University instructor Victor Douville during her visit to the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota in January 2016. Photo by SGU Media Productions / Facebook
Dances With Wolves Star Visits Rosebud
By Vi Waln
Lakota Country Times Correspondent
www.lakotacountrytimes.com ROSEBUD – There have been many actors and actresses who have visited the Rosebud Reservation but last month one of the most memorable stopped in for a visit. Mary McDonnell, the actress who played Stands With a Fist in the movie Dances With Wolves, spent the weekend of January 29 in Rosebud. The actress attended SGU Founder’s Day activities over the weekend where she facilitated an acting class for interested people on the SGU campus Friday morning. She also participated a wacipi grand entry and was publicly honored by SGU. “28 years ago I came here for the first time,” stated McDonnell at the honoring hosted by Sinte Gleska University (SGU). “Doris Leader Charge took me under her wing and she taught me many things about all of you. She took me to my first pow-wow. I’m very proud to be associated with Sinte Gleska University. I’m deeply grateful to all of you. It’s a whole lot of fun to be here.”
Mary McDonnell attended a birthday celebration held in rural Parmelee for spiritual leader Roy Stone, Sr. Mary was adopted as a daughter in a Hunka ceremony by the late Fred and Doris Leader Charge. She is pictured here with her Hunka relatives, (L-R) Shelley Means, Mary McDonnell, Rita Means, Shylee Brave and Damon Leader Charge. Courtesy photo
She took time to attend a Saturday afternoon celebration in rural Parmelee organized by family members of Chief Roy Stone, Sr. in honor of his birthday. McDonnell received an Academy Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 1990 movie. She learned her Lakota lines for the movie from the late Doris Leader Charge and the late Albert White Hat, Sr.
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The public came forward to shake hands with McDonnell during an honor song for her at the wacipi Saturday evening. In addition, many local citizens posted pictures of themselves with McDonnell on their Facebook pages over the weekend. McDonnell currently stars in the TNT series Major Crimes, in the role of a police officer working in the major crimes division. Find the award-winning Lakota Country Times on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter and download the new Lakota Country Times app today.
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