RST Tribal Inauguration

Pictured (L-R) is Russell Eagle Bear, RST President Kathy Wooden Knife and former OST President Cecilia Fire Thunder. Photo by Vi Waln.

ST. FRANCIS – Rosebud Sioux Tribal President Kathleen Wooden Knife was joined by other elected officials at a public inauguration held in the Hinhansun-Waphaha Oyanke (St. Francis community).

“I was raised by a matriarch. I was raised by a grandma. She instilled in me a lot of the moral and ethical values which I stand by today,” continued President Wooden Knife. She concluded her address with the following quote from Chief Arvol Looking Horse:

We need a great healing and we need a great forgiving but healing can’t begin without forgiveness. We must forgive each other, forgive our loved ones, forgive our friends, forgive our enemies, forgive ourselves. We need to pray even for a person who has done us wrong. In our tiospaye, in our family, when two people fight they are made brother and sister. Forgiveness itself is a powerful medicine. We need forgiveness to create peace. Mitakuye Oyasin.

Other tribal officials honored by their relatives included Louis Wayne Boyd, RST Treasurer, along with tribal council representatives Robert Rattling Leaf (Horse Creek), Lila Kills In Sight (Spring Creek), Michelle Hollow Horn Bear (Grass Mountain), Stanley Wooden Knife (Corn Creek), Alvin Bear Heels Sr. (Ring Thunder), Marian Little Thunder (Upper Cut Meat), Chris Eagle Bear (Black Pipe) and Emily Boyd-Valandra (Parmelee).

Featured guest speaker was the Honorable Cecilia Fire Thunder, a former president of the Oglala Lakota Nation and the first Lakota woman elected to that position. The Honorable Janet Alkire, sitting president of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe also attended the inauguration and offered words of encouragement.

In her keynote address, Fire Thunder encouraged the tribal council members in attendance to educate US Congressmen and Senators about us. Some elected officials in Washington are not aware of the needs of tribes. It is up to our local tribal elected officials to educate the people who have power over annual funding appropriations about the needs of our Lakota people. It is the responsibility of elected tribal officials to lobby for funding increases.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribal President Janet Alkire also addressed the gathering. She spoke about the obstacles she has faced in her 3 years as SRST President. She encouraged tribally elected officials to support one another and to be patient with one another. She also shared teachings from her elders that it is prophecy that more Lakota women are stepping into leadership roles.

The Honorable President Wooden Knife was given the Lakota name Wasu Luta Win (Red Hail Woman). Her family provided an eagle plume, which was tied on by Cecilia Fire Thunder. She was also presented with a knife, a traditional woman’s tool, in recognition of her leadership role. Russell Eagle Bear and Duane Hollow Horn Bear put the knife on President Wooden Knife’s belt.

“Today we honor a young woman who stepped into a role of leadership among our people,” stated Eagle Bear. “Long time ago, the women never left their tipi without a knife because they protect the home and family. Today we’ve kind of forgotten that tradition. But those who follow their traditional ways, they always have a Mila (knife) with them.”

Pat Bad Hand Sr. acted as Eyapaha. A grand entry kicked off the day’s events. The elected officials in attendance and their distinguished guests, were led by veterans Leah Rattling Leaf and Leonard Leader Charge, who posted the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Flag and the American Flag. Local singers offered the Lakota Flag song, Veteran’s song. Prayer and honor songs were also rendered.

A meal of soup, wojapi, fry bread and soft drinks were served. Gifts were distributed to those in attendance by President Wooden Knife’s staff. The inauguration was broadcast live, courtesy of St. Francis Indian School. www.youtube.com/live/EbVLRb- mguzE