Deb Phelps, center, received her bachelor's degree in business administration at Oglala Lakota Country’s 43rd graduation ceremonies on June 19, 2016. She is flanked by her daughters Tiffany and Jade, both have earned their bachelor's. Courtesy photo
OLC’s 43rd graduation to present 132 degrees, certificates
Local high schools award 344 high school diplomas
By Tom Crash
Lakota Country Times Correspondent
www.lakotacountrytimes.com Three Mile Creek -- Nearly 500 students from all across the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation have fulfilled the requirements of their respected institutions this spring. “Oglala Lakota College gave me a well-rounded learning experience with Lakota cultural knowledge that helped me maintain and develop my identity as a Lakota person,” said Saige Pourier, who received her master's degree on Sunday, June 19. “Right after I earned my bachelors degree, there was an opportunity to finish a masters degree in two years so that summer I was back in the classroom working on my masters degree.” During Oglala Lakota College’s 43rd annual graduation ceremony, 132 Master's, Bachelor's, Associate Degrees and certificates were presented at the Three Mile Creek pow wow grounds, OLC’s Piya Wiconi administrative campus seven miles southwest of Kyle. “The graduate work included a lot more writing, I was able to get it done while working for Sanford Research in Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Pine Ridge, we were doing research on SIDS and stillbirths, a co-pilot intervention on safe sleep. We learned about social issues, seeing the statistics behind them made it much more real,” said Pourier. “Eventually, I’m going to pursue my doctorate, not sure where or when but in the near future, in the field of psychology, clinical or school psychology.” “We are proud of the graduates of 2016 for staying on course to reach their goal of a college degree, overcoming many obstacles along the way,” stated Thomas Shortbull, OLC’s President. “It is the unwavering dedication of the students that inspires me to continue to meet any challenges head on to ensure these hardworking students reach their goal.” This year’s keynote speaker is Barbara Gellman-Danley, President of the Higher Learning Commission. Prior to joining the Commission, Dr. Gellman-Danley was the president of University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College from 2009-2014. She has also served as vice chancellor at the Ohio Board of Regents, President at Antioch University McGregor, Vice President at Monroe Community College and Vice chancellor at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Her past involvement with the Commission includes serving as a peer reviewer for 10 years. Debra Phelps is one of 51 graduates who will walk across the stage on Sunday to receive their bachelor's degree. Phelps, a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate graduated from RC Central in 1979, spent six years in the US Marine Corps before settling into Denver, Col. where she raised a family, worked 20 years for Dex Yellow Pages and took a few classes from Denver University. “While raising my children, I always told them they needed to look ahead, to get an education and go to college,” said Phelps, who has three children. Her oldest graduated from OLC and teaches first grade at Rockyford School, her middle child graduated from the University of Wisconsin and works for the Big Ten Network in Chicago and her youngest graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in communications and currently plays football for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League. “I got divorced, had my job outsourced to the Philippines, moved back to Rapid in 2011 and figured it was my turn to get my degree," Phelps said. "I had to start over, none of my DU classes counted, took five years but I’ll receive my Bachelor's in Business Administration on Sunday.” "While going to school, I worked for the American Indian Institute for Innovation in Takini and Wounded Knee District School as well as SD GearUp, we focused on getting kids through the transition from 8th grade to high school and from high school to college,” said Phelps, who is part of a family that includes two associate degrees, six bachelors and five masters degrees. “I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family, my seven brothers Matt, Farrell, Ted, Byron, Dusty, Myron and Stacy who were always there for me and my sisters Peg, Donna, Char, Lisa, Deana and Valerie, we need families involved throughout the educational process.” “We have a lot of work to do. Today we have an identity crisis, we need to change the education system, make it more culturally relevant," said Pourier. "The current colonial system strips us of our identity as Lakota men and women, we have a generation growing up lost, what can we do with 30 minutes of language and 30 minutes of culture." Area high schools honor 344 graduates -- where will they go? Military, vocational educational school, community college, college, university or work force “At White River, we’ll see about 50% of our graduates go onto college, usually two that go into the military,” said Tom Cameron who has been the superintendent for the past 15 years. “You first see a student in pre-school or kindergarten and see them work their way through the grades. It is so gratifying to see them earn their high school diploma.” Oglala Lakota County’s virtual high school is graduating three while this year, Little Wound has the largest class with 64. “Today our graduates have so many options, OLC right here at home, colleges and universities throughout the state and beyond and a vast array of funding opportunities,” said Dayna Brave Eagle, director of the Tribal Education Agency. “Education is the key and we are committed to helping and encouraging as many of our graduates as possible to continue their education.”
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Oglala Lakota College
Master of Arts in Lakota Leadership and Management-Shannon Tracey Freed, Alexander Mackey, Rilda Means, Saige Pourier.
Master of Arts Lakota Leadership and Management with an emphasis in Education Administration- Naomi Belile, Tracy Fortin, Darrin Merrval Sr.
Bachelor of Arts in Social Science-Sara Buckman.
Bachelor of Social Work-Dawn Arkinson, Wambli Bear Runner, Wendelin Janis, Chelsea Lolly, Patricia Maher, Nadine Morrison, Nicollette Weston, Kyla Woodard.
BS in Information Technology-Lauren Big Crow.
BA in Lakota Studies-Mariah Black Bird, Michelle Black Elk, Thomas Brings, Michelle Lau, Laura Lawrence, Alsia LeBeau, Amber Rose Littleton, Rebecca Lee Lone Elk, James McDonald, Arthur Menachegani-Knachaturians, Corey Schad, Tyra Two Bulls, Stephanie Two Crow, LaVelle Warrior, Robert Watters, Vernell White Thunder, Lisa Young Bear.
BS in Business Administration-Michael Bush, Daniel Butcher, Desirae Charging Crow, Royalle Chasing Hawk, Kendra Fast Horse, Don Giago, Linette Gibbons, Danielle Griffith, DarAnn Kills in Sight, Lakota Nordvold, Debra Phelps, Kahomy Souksavath, Kaisagarr Tavai-Fiatoa, Steven Vitalis.
BA in Early Childhood-Colleen Condon, Ida Little Thunder, Wanblee Looking Horse, Emily Two Elk.
BS in Natural Science-Calvin Cutschall, Jody Harms, Matthew Janis, Shelby Ross.
BA in English & Communication Studies-Rebecca Katus.
BS in K-8 Elementary Education-Tabitha Tetrault.
Associate of Arts in Nursing-Jaylen Brewer, Bailey Cummings, Sable Gardner, Michelle Janis, Breanna LeBeaux, Angelica Livermont, Tate Olowan Locust, Shelby Puckett, Melissa Lou Slattery, Rosa Anne Yellow Boy-Vocuin.
Lakota Studies-Dawn Arkinson, Lauren Big Crow, Meta Charger, Kehala Diserly, Aloysius Dreaming Bear, Alvina DuBray, Arthur Hopkins, Samantha Janis, Wendelin Janis, Dustin Kills Straight, Eric Lone Hill, Arvella Moves Camp, Juanita Oros-McLane, Kyra Poor Bear-Young, Quentin Red Bear, DeCora Testerman, Albert Two Bears.
AAS in General Construction-Warren Blue Bird, Clayton Clifford, Adelita Gomez, Joseph Little Dog, Donnie Mesteth, Jr.
AA in Elementary Education-Chelsi Brown, Stormie Clifford, Alvina DuBray, Loreli Lawrence, Tabitha Tetrault, Tamera White Butterfly, Rosa Anna Yellow Boy-Vocu.
AAS in Automotive Technology-Charlyn Bull Bear, Kayla Carlow, Porfirio Gomez, Tiara Lays Hard.
AAS in Electrical Technology-Edgar Perea.
AAS in Information Technology-Neil Janis, Tashina Rae Shangreaux, Simone Shot With Arrow.
AA in Information Technology-Joni Torn.
AA in Early Childhood-Alvina DuBray, Jennifer Her Many Horses, Laura Mason, Julia Miller, Maria Nelson, Natalie Pourier, KayCee Quiver, Ashlee Randall, Vanessa Red Bird, Jennifer Red Owl, Lorelei Richards, Danielle Whirlwind Horse.
AA in Tribal Law-Naomi Edwards, Laura Lawrence, Nicole Little White Man, Kireil Shiroma, DeCora Testerman.
Certificate in Lakota Language-Genevieve Chase in Sight-Ribitsch, Donna Talks, Carol Iron Rope-Herrera, Linda White Face, LaVelle Warrior, Robert Watters.
Bennett County (23)
Jonnie Abold, Sage Alexander, Chandler Bakley, Christopher Begeman(Valedictorian), Maizie Bettelyoun, Wade Bettelyoun, Sandra Christensen, Rhett Fanning, Mercedes Faubion, Darylane Gomez, Colton Gotheridge, Shania Has No Horse, Marcus Heath, Briana Kratovil, Jeremie Lessert, Shawna Lessert, Shelby Marrs, Angie McDonnell, Deandra Merrival, Miranda Orth(Salutatorian), Tate Petrak, Angieline Plenty Bull and Rachel Risse(Salutatorian).
Crazy Horse (17)
Dalton Bettelyoun, Stephen Bettelyoun, Christan Blue Legs, Tyler Bishop, Karen Cross, Egan Dull Knife, Juan Dull Knife, William Dull Knife, Randilee Garcia(Salutatorian), Kane Gilbert, Marsha Janis(Valedictorian), Tyler Lamont, Sundance Red Elk, Tate Win Red Elk, Matthew Waters, Talisa Wilcox and Randy Yankton.
Little Wound (64)
Cammi Bear Killer, Alphonda Belt, Terra Bettelyoun, Lance Black Tail Deer, Moses Blue Horse, Lindsey Brave Heart, Antwan Bull Bear, Wetu Charging Eagle, Tianna Christensen, Ethan Clifford, Kyra Clifford, Skyler Cox, Kayla Cross, Malena Cross, Apollonia Deans, Kateri Denny, Carla Dull Knife, Adelina Elk Boy, Melissa Featherman, Laquel Ferguson, Sharifa Ferguson, Alexander Gomez, Jose Gomez, Lacey Good Eagle, Teresa Graham, Dontae Grant, Annabelle Guiterrez, Latrell Heart, Charles High Hawk, Jeremiah Hopkins, Tashaun Jackson, Taylor Janis, Lily Jealous of Him, Tacie LeBeaux, Athena Little, Samantha Little White Man, Darrell Looks Twice, Ramon McBride, Mahpiya Menard, Morgan Mesteth, Chance Pettigrew, Amanda Poor Bear, Brittany Poor Bear, Monique Poor Bear, Isabelle Pourier, Emma Quick Bear, Justin Red Eagle, Katelyn Red Owl, Kordelle Running Hawk, Paulina Shangreaux, Noah Spotted Eagle, Weldon Spotted Eagle Jr., Dale Stands Jr., Chelsea Stone, Tristen Tail, Shilo Tallman, Adena Two Eagle, Tre Vocu, Danielle Whirlwind Horse, Curtis White Crane III, Olivia Whiting-Tovar, Michael Wilson, Duane Yellow Cloud, Devon Zephier and Marissa Zimiga.
Oelrichs (12)
Adriano Lee Brings Him Back, Savannah Kay Campbell, Tyger Lee Cortier, Mary Elizabeth Belle Dawson, Darci Lynette Hamilton, Anissa Mercy Lone Elk, Rudy Leighton Lone Elk, Toniah Lynn Price, Leonard Lane Red Hair, Mary Kate Scabby Face, Shane Allen Smith and Leeland Walter Ten Fingers.
Pine Ridge (50)
Tyrell Andrews, Brittany Backward, Sierra Bagola, Chrissa Benson, Josie Bettelyoun, Alyssa Blacksmith, Reno Blacksmith, Angela Blacksmith-Dreaming Bear, Kayla Bravo, Carly Brewer, Kylie Cedar Face, Ilijah Coleman, Joseph Cournoyer, Sylvina Cruz, Elijah Feather Earring, Rhiannon Frazier, Keeva Good Crow, Deanna Janis, Geena Janis, Darrell Lays Bad, Katelyn LeBeau, Leisha Lefthand, Torianne Little, Naloni Little Bear, Charly Long Soldier, Dante Martin, Shelby Merrival-Eagle Elk, Misun Mills-Rendon, Katie New Holy, Brianna Pilcher-Lopez, Danielle Poor Thunder, Gina Red Cloud-Cordova, Shaylene Richard, Christopher Rodriguez, Jacob Robideaux, Meredith Sahme, Kordell Shangreaux, Hazel Shields, Joe Sierra, Lester Sierra, Shania Sierra, Charlie Smallwood, Jacob Standing Bear, Breann Star Comes Out, Wade Stoldt, Erica Two Crow, Tiana Walking, Tunweya Weller, Ferris White Bull, Sapphire White Calf and Jaemin Wounded Horse.
Red Cloud (53)
Laraissa Adams, Mate Bad Heart Bull, Brianna Beard, Nuvassie Blacksmith, Donald Brave Jr., Taylor Campbell, Kevin Catches, Courtney Charging Hawk, Robert Clifford, Jr., Tyler Clifford, John Conroy, Kobe Cottier, Jacob Cousin(Valedictorian), Jack Fast Wolf, Brooke Ghost Bear, Wayne Ghost, Hailey Goings, Henry Hawkins, Troy Hernandez, Schaevon High Wolf-Brewer, Trajon Holiday, Trevor Holiday, Shawn Holy Rock, Matagi I’atala, Britni Iron, Koty Janis, Marlee Kelly(Salutatorian), Jaycee Left Hand, Manualla Long, Robert Looks Twice, Trista Merrival, Justin Mesteth, Yusuke Morioka, Antone Morrison, Gustavo Munoz, Isabella New Holy, Lara No Braid, Miranda O’Donnell, Kobey O’Rourke, Brittany Pettigrew, Robert C. Pourier, Robert E. Pourier Jr., Terrell Pulliam, Ethan Quintana, Marty Richards, Kayla Starr, Dylan Tobacco, Samuel Trueblood, Leannah Vitalis, Jazzlyn Weston, Tyler Wright, Joshua “Yellow Cloud and Darien Young Man Afraid of His Horses.
St. Francis (38)
Brendan Hand, Natasha Bad Hand, Nikki Big Boy-Kills Plenty, Antonio Black Lance, Sannita Blue Thunder, Pete Bordeaux, Emmalee Clairmont, Jancita Cordier, Christian Flores, Mato Foster, Cheyenne Griffin, Sydney Horse Looking, KellyRose Jones, Robert Jordan III, Katelyn Kills in Water, Robert LaPointe, Brandon Long, Kobe Long Warrior, Sheighla Lunderman(Valedictorian), Victorian Miller(Salutatorian), Mercedes Phelps, Andi Red Bird, David Reddest, Kibbee Reynolds, Phillip Spotted Elk, Mahpiya Spotted Tail, Neola Spotted Tail, Charles Spotted War Bonnett, Marcella Stead, Brienna Tobacco, Chance Walking Eagle, Valentina White Hat, Anika Whiting, Jacob Whiting, JoHanna Whiting, Theodore Wright, Dean Castaway and Lena Iron Shell.
Todd County (55)
Malorie Arrow, Stetson Bear Looks Back, Alexander James Big Crow, Erica Black Lance, Galen Boltz, Aleese Bordeaux, Caleub Logan Brackeen, Ninette Rose Broken Leg, Zachery Broken Leg, Nathaniel Bull Bear, Tyra Clairmont, Aaron Cordier, DonShay Tasunke Nunpa Win DuBray, Christopher Eagle Bear, Christopher Fast Horse, Leticia Garcia(Salutatorian), Shaunae Gunhammer, Toby Hacker, Austin Hammer(Valedictorian), Jasmine Henry, Ty Herman, Bobbie Lynne Hill, Antone Iron Heart, TaTe Jackson, Alex Kills in Water, Daecia Knox, Maliesha Lambert, Shellee Little Thunder, Wesley Little Thunder, Stevie Lone Dog, Cante Skuye Lowe, Selena Marshall, Michael Mizner, Mahpiya Murray, Carl Olson, Eric One Feather, Raven Patton, Claudia Peneaux, Jordan Poignee, Charleen Provencial, Stephanie Prue, Niacolas Robideaux, Ivory Sallette, Ryelee Santistevan, Geoff Schmitz, Joseph Shelbourn, Davian Stands, Katherine Stevens, Ta olowan Luta Win Stone, John Valdez, Nebraska Waln and Philip White Hat.
Virtual High School/Oglala Lakota County (3)
Sierra Blindman, Lucetta Looks Twice and Khannie Saengphachanh.
White River (29)
Tristan Arrow, Lucas Beardt(Salutatorian), Wendy Black Wolf, Tyson Blacksmith, Elizabeth Cameron, Edda Castaway, Christopher Dillon, Dru Espinoza, Arissa Good Shield, Gaton Hawk, Isaiah Knife, Katie LaPointe, Dallas Larvie, James Leader Charge, Blade Marshall, Mariah Marshall, Ryder Medicine Bear, Sage Mednansky(Valedictorian), Gunner Piper, Graciela Romero-Vega, Casey Rounsley, Olathe Schmidt, Austin Schwartz, Dabian Spotted Elk, Kaileb Valburg, Christen White Hat, Benjamin Whiting, Orion Whiting and Nicholas Young. 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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