A List of Influential Native Americans
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Tuesday, 4.21.15 ON THE WEB: www.yankton.net views VIEWS PAGE: [email protected] PAGE 4 PRESS&DAKOTAN The Press Dakotan THE DAKOTAS’ OLDEST NEWSPAPER | FOUndED 1861 Yankton Media, Inc., 319 Walnut St., Yankton, SD 57078 CONTACT US OPINION PHONE: (605) 665-7811 (800) 743-2968 Oklahoma City In NEWS FAX: (605) 665-1721 ADVERTISING FAX: (605) 665-0288 A Post-9/11 Age WEBSITE: www.yankton.net erhaps the obsessive nature of our post-9/11 universe can best be ––––– illustrated by how much attention that we, as a nation, generally SUBSCRIPTIONS/ DIDN’T devote to the 20th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bomb- CIRCULATION ing this past weekend. PTo be sure, there was attention paid to that terrible event back in Extension 104 [email protected] 1995, when 168 people, including 19 children, were killed and more than CLASSIFIED ADS 600 were injured in a shocking act of domestic terrorism. Up until 9/11, Extension 108 this event was the single deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil, and it was [email protected] treated as such when it happened. But judging from the general national conversation, the anniversary NEWS DEPT. seemed more like a recollection of echoes from a long-ago time that only The Rez Of The Story Extension 114 moderately resonates today. [email protected] This isn’t true, of course, but we have changed a lot since that awful SPORTS DEPT. morning 20 years ago. And amid those momentous changes— and after all Extension 106 the grieving we have endured from other events and other re-alterations of [email protected] our thinking — it may be somewhat understandable that we see Oklahoma A List Of Influential ADVERTISING DEPT. City in a more secondary light. Extension 122 But what we should not forget now — so many years, so many wars [email protected] and so many funerals later — is that Oklahoma City was an earth-shaking BUSINESS OFFICE event for this nation. We saw the images of twisted debris and shattered mourners. We were heartbroken. We were angry. In many ways, it was an Native Americans Extension 119 [email protected] emotional dress rehearsal for the hell storm of Sept. 11, 2001. BY VINCE TWO EAGLES will be legendary in the coming years. When word of the Oklahoma City attack began spreading on the My fourth pick would be Jr. LaPlante, who NEW MEDIA: morning of April 19, 1995, there was instant speculation that the Extension 136 Hau Mitakuepi (Greetings My Relatives), was the first cabinet level Secretary of Indian bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was possibly the Time magazine recently published their 100 Affairs here in South Dakota. He recently left [email protected] work of foreign entities. Middle Eastern terrorism had long been a COMPOSING DEPT. Most Influential People List for this year. Unless that position to pursue his law career and talking point in our national security, and there was a reflexive ten- I missed it, there were no Natives included in beyond. His shoes will be a challenge to fill no Extension 129 dency to immediately cast suspicion in this direction. [email protected] their list, so I thought it might be appropriate to doubt. But that suspicion evolved quickly, and for many Americans, offer a few names of my own. Then the list would not be au- * * * Oklahoma City was a terrible introduction to the threat of domestic Here is my 2015 list of the 10 most thentic without my old friend Floyd terrorism and militant anti-government sentiment. It brought the 1992 MANAGERS influential Natives for the last several Westerman. He was most remembered Ruby Ridge standoff to the forefront, and rekindled the events of the decades here in Indian Country. by many in his role as Ten Bears Gary L. Wood 1993 Waco siege, which, precisely two years before, saw the fiery end Publisher I thought about the criterion that in “Dances with Wolves,” but I will of the Branch Davidian group. These two events cited by convicted would be best applicable to creating always remember his unique singing Michele Schievelbein OKC bomber Timothy McVeigh as a motivation for his attack on the such a list; and that would be those voice (that rich baritone) and activ- Advertising Director federal building. The 1995 incident brought militias into the forefront Native folks in my neck of the woods ist career as most outstanding and of national conversation, and for the remainder of the 1990s, militia who helped not only create conver- influential over the years he was here Tonya Schild groups were a top security concern for this country. Business Manager sation in their respective fields of among us. But then came 9/11, which returned our focus to international endeavor but through their on-going I think Severt Young Bear had a Michael Hrycko terrorism and Muslim extremists. The ghosts of Oklahoma City faded activity help sustain those conver- significant influence on the Pow Wow Circulation Director away amid our shifting priorities. sations over the years. These are Vince circuit for his outstanding humor, However, the concerns over domestic unrest must never recede. individuals I think would fill out such knowledge of traditional Lakota cul- Tera Schmidt The issues, no doubt, are still there, still fueled by a militant distrust TWO EAGLES Classified Manager a list — perhaps you have one of ture, was fluent in the Lakota language of the government and, in some cases, festering racial differences. your own. My list of influential Indian and his singing group “The Porcupine Kelly Hertz The threat must never be dismissed; after Oklahoma City, it still can- people does not necessarily mean Singers”is legendary as well. Editor not be overlooked nor has it any right to be forgiven. that they were always agreeable to everyone The list would not be complete without We live in a world of constant threats, and in such a climate, we with their views but through their tenacity Charmaine Wise carver for her vigilance James D. Cimburek must never forget those threats that also come from within our own Sports Editor and personally held convictions nevertheless regarding treaty and United Nations issues. borders. Like the ache still felt by the survivors of the 1995 attack, influenced history in some way in my humble Her unique focus on uranium mining issues is Beth Rye that hard lesson from Oklahoma City still rings true. opinion. invaluable. She will always be remembered for New Media Director kmh For his column about and for Native issues, her untiring efforts. Kathy Larson the list has to begin with Mr. Tim Giago. Ac- Gene Thin Elk, for his groundbreaking Composing Manager cording to Wikipedia, he founded the Lakota work in alcoholism treatment called ’The Red Times on the Pine Ridge reservation — the first Road’ (focusing on Native philosophy and its Kristina Tunink ONLINE OPINION Native-owned and operated newspaper. “In usefulness as a treatment tool), also makes my District Manager The results of the most recent Internet poll on the Press & Dakotan’s Web site are 1992 he went national and changed his paper “Ten Most Influential Natives” list. His annual as follows: to Indian Country Today. Giago sold the paper gathering of “Red Roaders” as they are referred * * * in 1998 but later founded the Lakota Journal to throughout Indian Country, is a classic con- DAILY STAFF LATEST RESULTS: which he sold in 2009.” I first became aware of ference experience. Melissa Bader Do you think Tom Daschle would consider running for the U.S. Senate in South Tim’s writing when he worked for the Rapid City Sharon Asetoyer who is director of The Cassandra Brockmoller Dakota in 2016? Journal in 1979. Women’s Resource Center in Lake Andes, is on Brandi Bue No .............................................................................................................................57% My list has to include the one and only Rus- my list too. Her pioneering work with battered Rob Buckingham Ye s ............................................................................................................................27% sell Means. Wikipedia reports that “he became women and other women’s health issues in Na- Caryn Chappelear Not sure/don’t care ...................................................................................................16% TOTAL VOTES CAST ...............................................................................................307 the most prominent member of the American tive Country does not go unnoticed either. Her Randy Dockendorf The Press & Dakotan Internet poll is not a scientific survey and reflects the opinions Indian Movement after joining the organization advocacy for Native family is commendable. Jeannine Economy only of those who choose to participate. The results should not be construed as an ac- in 1968. He began his acting career in 1992 ap- I would round out my list of the 10 most Jordynne Hart curate representation or scientific measurement of public opinion. pearing in numerous films, including ’The Last Influential Native people of the last half-century Jeremy Hoeck ——— of the Mohicans.’ He released his own musical with Dr. Craig Howe for his outstanding work Sarah Lynde Robert Nielsen CURRENT QUESTION: CD.” His notoriety was international. on the historical document describing the Diana Smallwood Do you think Adrian Peterson will be playing for the Minnesota Vikings next I include the current owner and editor of Seven Council Fires of the Great Sioux Nation Cathy Sudbeck season? Lakota Country Times, Connie Smith whose as a curriculum guide is also more than worth Sally Whiting To cast your vote in the PRESS & DAKOTAN’S Internet poll, log on to our website influence is not only local, regional, national mentioning. JoAnn Wiebelhaus at www.yankton.net. but international as well because of her well And now you know the rez of the story. Brenda Willcuts established weekly newspaper.