A processional across the campus of Oglala Lakota College takes place during graduation ceremonies.
Rebuilding the Lakota Nation one graduate at a time
Oglala Lakota College graduates 123 students
By Ernestine Chasing Hawk
Native Sun News Editor
www.nsweekly.com KYLE –– This year 123 students made June 19 “the best day of the year” for Thomas Short Bull, President of Oglala Lakota College. To the beat of Knife Chief Singers Drum, the graduates marched in procession from the college campus to the pow wow grounds, some adorned in a colorful array of tribal dress and others in their nursing attire, prepared for a future in medicine. Richard Moves Camp gave the opening prayer in his native Lakota Language, followed by an address by the college president. “We had gone through a lot of stresses throughout the year. But I know that all the hard work that I have done during the year is validated with your graduation,” Short Bull told the Oglala Lakota College Graduating Class of 2016. “Thank you for graduating and making this the best day of the year. I wish you the best in your endeavors.” He teased the graduates stating they faced a lot challenges in making it to this special day in their lives, including Nawizi (jealousy). He said on returning home from class some students were grilled, “Who did you sit by today?” and “Were you talking to anyone?” as the audience laughed, perhaps knowing all too well the grill. Welcoming the students was the President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, John Yellow Bird Steele who told the graduates they are part of a master plan, “Oglala Lakota College is rebuilding the Lakota Nation one graduate at a time.” He reminded them of the words of Red Cloud who said, “We don’t want riches, we want peace and love."
Read the rest of the story on the all new Native Sun News website: Rebuilding the Lakota Nation one graduate at a time (Contact Ernestine Chasing Hawk at editor@nsweekly.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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