Brown prairie grass hid headstones and decaying wooden crosses with chipped white paint that bore scrawled names of those long gone. A tree branch held a tattered American flag, an improvised staff, the only thing that rose high enough to distinguish the area from any other.
A prairie rattlesnake was a more likely visitor to this sacred land than a mourning family member.
That day in July 2007 wasn’t the first time Larry Cortez had seen the rundown graveyard on the Crow Creek Reservation in western South Dakota.
Each one was a good day to die. For 71 days in late winter and early spring of 1973 shots were fired in anger at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, between federal marshals and members of the American Indian Movement.
"After Wounded Knee we became warriors again," said Dennis Banks, one of the leaders of the AIM occupiers and subject of the soon-to-be-released film, "A Good Day to Die."
Winona Frozen River Film Festival audiences had a chance to preview the film and ask questions of Banks at festival showings of "A Good Day To Die."
For millennia before Europeans settled in North America, the indigenous peoples of this continent flourished with vibrant cultures and were the original stewards of the land. From generation to generation, they handed down invaluable cultural knowledge and rich traditions, which continue to thrive in Native American communities across our country today.
Click here to read the entire proclimation by President Obama
Friends Mourn Red Cloud (10/13/2010) Red Wing Republican Eagle , Red Wing, Minn.
by Mike Longaecker
Red Wing, Minn.– When you heard American Indian singing and drumming around the Prairie Island Indian Community in recent years, you could bet Winfred Red Cloud was near.
When there were spiritual blessings to be made around town, he was the man. And when young people or outsiders had questions about traditional native culture, they often turned to Red Cloud.
Fountain, Statue Dedication Bridges Cultures (09/19/2010) Waabasha Herald, Wabasha, Minn.
by Michael Smith
Wabasha, Minn.– “A Bridging of Cultures” took place on the Wabasha riverfront Saturday morning, and it was merely the latest in a long line of historic events that have renewed the city and restored a riverfront along America’s artery.
The Fountain and Statue of Chief Wapahasha II that now grace the riverfront at the foot of Pembroke Avenue were dedicated Saturday morning by John and Marcia Bouquet, who gifted this work to the City of Wabasha in honor and memory of their parents. John’s parents, Dr. B. J. and Dorothy Bouquet, grew up here and loved this city, while Marcia’s parents, Gus and Vivian Marmesh, also were known to love Wabasha and spent a lot of time here.
The Last Lakota Code Talker Reprinted from the May-June 2007 issue of the South Dakota Magazine.
by Bernie Hunhoff
Clarence Wolf Guts is not the sort of hero who capitalizes on his exploits; he hasn't written any books or run for office, and you can count his speaking appearances on one hand. He lives almost as simply today as when he was a boy on the Rosebud Reservation in the 1920s.
He accumulated very little property in 83 complicated years. Most of his friends and his family are dead. He quit drinking at age 81, and found that sobriety improves his ability to remember the good and the bad of a sometimes-messy life.
Crow Creek: The Forgotten People Video, (11/2006) By Diversity Foundation and HBC, winner of an International Videographer Award.
"Bridges of Hope" are coming from schools, churches, businesses, and city leaders in Winona and across southern Minnesota. The story of the Dakota people has inspired all who hear it to help reconcile and make things right.
Winona's Hiawatha Broadband Communications and the Diversity Foundation, Inc. have recently documented some of the conditions, as well as the outreach efforts currently taking place, at the Crow Creek Community in a production called “Crow Creek: The Forgotten People.” Crow Creek is a reservation in central South Dakota where many of the Dakotas, who lived Minnesota before European settlers arrived, were exciled to in 1863.
Kenny Derby, Sonny Red Owl, Kameron Runnels and Santee Elder Roger Trudell check out Southeastern Technical College
WINONA, Minn. - The years that follow will change their lives. They will return home with experiences and connections that many of their elders never had the opportunity to make.
"They will be leaders
They are leaders"
The four young men from the Santee Nation in South Dakota visited Winona last week to tour Winona State University, St. Mary’s University, Southeastern Technical College and Cotter High School.
Prairie Island Indian Community Pledges $125,000 to Diversity Foundation
Tribe will donate $25,000 each year until 2010 (05/30/06)
Welch, Minn.– The Prairie Island Indian Community recently presented the Diversity Foundation of Winona, Minn. with a $25,000 donation. This amount serves as the first of five donations to the Diversity Foundation to help preserve the cultural heritage of the Dakota Nations. In total, Prairie Island will donate $125,000 to the organization.
The donated funds are earmarked for the promotion, recognition, and salvation of the cultural heritage of Dakota Indian Nations. Prairie Island Tribal Council Treasurer Alan Childs II said that Prairie Island is excited to be a part of the positive things the Diversity Foundation does. Childs stated, “This donation serves as a way for us to help other Dakota Nations – preserving the future for all Dakota Communities”
The Diversity Foundation is committed to bridging the gap between people caused by cultural and ethnic differences. The foundation does this by producing educational films and hosting events that raise awareness, promote multicultural education and teach intercultural communication. “This partnership is an important beginning of many great things to come,” Lyle Rustad, executive director for the Diversity Foundation said. “Our prayers have been answered – this donation is an opportunity we have been dreaming about.”
Donations like the one made to the Diversity Foundation are important to the Prairie Island Indian Community because for many years their culture was suppressed and tribal members were forced to assimilate. Many tribal members who remember this time particularly recognize the importance of teaching and protecting the Dakota culture.
Sharing our native culture with our youth and the local community is very important to our tribe,” said Prairie Island Tribal Council President Audrey Bennett. “We’re happy to be able to support the Diversity Foundation’s efforts to promote cultural awareness and understanding.”
Since 1994, the Prairie Island Indian Community has donated more than $12 million to many Indian and non-Indian causes. The Prairie Island Indian Community is a federally recognized Indian Nation, located 35 minutes southeast of the Twin Cities along the Mississippi River. The Prairie Island Indian Community owns and operates Treasure Island Resort & Casino.
Rushford, Minn. – Lyle Rustad, once of Rushford, has worked with Native American causes and needs most of his life. His Diversity Foundation, Inc., and a conversation with Jim Hoiness has led to a local campaign to improve life for residents of the Crow Creek Reservation in South Dakota.
Starting next week contributed items and cash will be loaded until a semi-trailer truck delivers the gifts to South Dakota later in the month.
Everyone is invited to help, and local churches are leading the effort. “It’s a rural Rushford and Peterson (and Lanesboro) church project to put some needed items out there.” Hoiness, who visited the reservation with Rustad, said,
“What struck me visiting with two public health nurses – there are lots of needs for children. Sometimes more than one family lives in a home, sometimes children are sleeping on the floor. We talked to the tribal chief and his wife. She gave us a tour; a very intelligent lady who knows what’s needed.”
