Emily White Hat (Sicangu Lakota) is a project evaluator of research which benefit tribal nations using a capacity-building approach. She is pictured here on her horse Jim at the 2015 Rosebud Parade. Jim continues to help her get through the loss of her father. Photo by Shirley Iron Shell
Native American 40 Under 40 Awards include Lakota Recipients
By Vi Waln
LCT Correspondent Four locals were included in the list of people who will receive the 2015 “Native American 40 Under 40” award, according to the National Center for American Enterprise Development (NCAIED). These prestigious NCAIED awards recognize 40 Native Americans who have made important contributions to their communities. The honor is bestowed upon individuals under the age of 40, nominated by members of their communities, who have demonstrated leadership, initiative, and dedication and made significant contributions in business and their community. This year’s winners include two from Rosebud and two from Pine Ridge. They will be honored during a gala at the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) New Mexico, scheduled for November 16-19 at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino in Santa Fe, New Mexico. EMILY R. WHITE HAT
Emily R. White Hat, J.D. (Nape Waste Win, "Good Hand Woman") Sicangu (Rosebud) Lakota, of the Aske Gluwipi Tiospaye was born and raised on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. Emily has one son – Mark White Hat. She is the daughter of Marlies White Hat and the late Albert White Hat Sr. Emily is employed at Sanford Research in Sioux Falls, SD as a project evaluator. She oversees and conducts research that benefits tribal nations using a capacity-building approach. Emily received her Juris Doctor and a Natural Resources Law Certificate from the University of New Mexico, School of Law in May 2007, where she received Clinical Honors for Outstanding Performance in the Law Clinic. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry with a concentration in Fire Science and a minor in Rangeland Ecology from Colorado State University, and an Associate of Arts degree in Lakota History and Culture from Sinte Gleska University. Her experience as a former firefighter, EMT, policy researcher and legal background have all been vital to her work in policy research. Emily enjoys quilting, beadwork, horseback riding and hot yoga.
Mary Bordeaux (Sicangu Lakota) is Director of Cultural Affairs and Museum Curator at the Indian Museum of North America at Crazy Horse Monument in the Black Hills. She is a member of the South Dakota Arts Council Board of Directors. Courtesy Photo
MARY V. BORDEAUX
Mary Bordeaux is Sicangu (Rosebud) Lakota and lives in Rapid City, SD. She graduated from The University of Arts in Philadelphia, PA with a Masters of Fine Arts focused on Museum Exhibition Planning and Design. She received her Associate and Bachelor Degrees in Museum Studies at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM. She is the daughter of Christopher and Deborah Bordeaux. Mary is Director of Cultural Affairs and Museum Curator at the Indian Museum of North America located at the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills. She is a member of the South Dakota Arts Council Board of Directors. Prior to her current position, she was Curator/Director at The Heritage Center at the Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, SD. Mary has served as a Juror for the South Dakota State High School Art Competition, Northern Plains Indian Art Market, Lakota Nation Invitational Student Art Show, Future Voices of New Mexico Youth Films Contest and the SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Art Market.
Tosa Two Heart (Oglala Lakota) is studying for her MBA and wants to improve the quality of life for her people through economic development. She is pictured here with Taylor Thomas, 2014 Miss Indian World. Two Heart showcased her knowledge of Lakota traditional foods as a Miss Indian World contestant. Courtesy Photo
TOSA TWO HEART
Tosa (Oglala Lakota) is from the Medicine Root District. She is a descendant of Thunder Hawk, Jealous of Him and Cloud Horse. Born on the Pine Ridge reservation, she was raised by her mother Iris Gay, who is a fluent Lakota speaker and has taught the language for years. She graduated from Sherman Indian High School, in Riverside, CA as Valedictorian in 2008. She attended UCLA and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2012. In 2013, Tosa was the American Indian Recruitment Project Director at UCLA. Tosa was a recent contestant for Miss Indian World, which allowed her to share her knowledge of Lakota traditional foods, passed down to her from her mother Iris Gay, Grandmother Gladys Gay and late Grandpa Wilson Gay. She is a graduate student in the Master of Business Administration program at Bentley University in Waltham, MA. Tosa wants to improve the quality of life for her people through economic development by drawing on her people’s strengths, instead of focusing on the negative. Tosa participates in Santana House, a grassroots effort to stop suicide amongst the Lakota youth and raise funds to build a safe house on the Pine Ridge Reservation. She keeps Lakota youth in her heart and wants them to live safe, healthy and long lives.
Darrell “Tiger” Brown Bull, Jr. took a break from law school when he was interviewed for and offered the position of OST Executive Director. He wants to improve tribal programs so Lakota children who suffer from depression and suicide ideation could receive the services they need. He is a member of the Little Wound School Board. Courtesy Photo
DARRELL “TIGER” BROWN BULL, JR.
Darrell “Tiger” Brown Bull, Jr. (Oglala Lakota) was raised in Kyle, SD by his Mother, Edwina Fire Thunder. He is a graduate of Little Wound High School. Tiger was a 2013 Udall Foundation Native American Congressional Intern. His assignment was with the US House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs. He graduated with a Master of Arts in Tribal Administration and Governance Degree from the University of Minnesota – Duluth. He also completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in American Indian Studies and B.A.Sc. Psychology at University of Minnesota-Duluth. A candidate for a Juris Doctor at Michigan State University College of Law, Tiger applied for and was interviewed for the position of Executive Director for the Oglala Sioux Tribe. When offered the position, he put law school on hold to accept the job. He is working to improve tribal programs and provide the services needed for Lakota children suffering from depression and suicide ideation.
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Award winners will be officially honored during the 40th Annual Indian Progress in Business Awards (INPRO) Gala on Wednesday, November 18th. To see the complete list of Native American 40 Under 40 award recipients online, please visit the NCAIED website. Find the award-winning Lakota Country Times on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter.
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