News Home

‘Honor The Elders’ set for November 21 at Dakota State

            The Dakota State University Office of Diversity Services will be hosting the third annual “Honor the Elders” festival on Thursday, November 21. The event takes place in the Trojan Center on the campus of Dakota State and will feature a Lakota, Dakota and Nakota cultural base.

            “The ‘Honor the Elders’ program provides an opportunity to shorten the cultural gap between Native Americans and non Native Americans,” Scott Zlotak, DSU Diversity Coordinator said.

            “Honor the Elders is important for both Native American and non Native Americans,” Steve Martin, DSU Native American Advisor said. “Oral education is extremely important. The program provides excellent role models for all, especially Native American people.”

            This year’s festival features Claude “Takola” Two Elk as Master of Ceremonies. He will preside over the opening ceremonies with the Gordon Wesston Post-Flandreau Santee Veteran Color Guard representing the Achitika (warrior) society and the opening Smudge (purification) rite, creating an atmosphere of cooperation and reconciliation.

Two Elk will also speak about the crisis and accomplishments of today’s Lakota/Dakota/Nakota societies.

Writer and activist, Charmaine White Face will also be on hand to share her views. White Face is a member of the Oglala Band of the Tetuwin Oceti Sakowin. She is a freelance writer and published author. She is a political columnist and her editorials have been seen in several newspapers. She is currently active in seeking recognition of the legality of treaties made between Native American nations and the United States.

“Charmaine is a political activist and environmentalist,” Martin said. “She is currently fighting for the preservation of our grasslands.”

Honored guest this year will be Ambrose and Anna Little Ghost. Ambrose will provide an overview regarding Lakota, Dakota and Nakota culture and beliefs.

“Upon meeting Little Ghost, you leave your ego at the door,” Martin said with respect. “When you’re in his presence you know you’ve met someone special. At the drop of a hat, he’s willing to share his knowledge of his way of life.”

Little Ghost is a cultural scholar fluent in Lakota, Dakota and Nakota and has served as a spiritual leader.

“The Little Ghost’s are considered family,” Zlotak added. “They present themselves as grandfather and grandmother. They are humble and spiritual in the ways they walk in the world.”

Other presenters include John Beheler, Dakota Artist and Principal of Marty Indian School; Ron and Lillian Good Eagle, Cultural educators and championship rank dancers, who will share an overview of the Plains Indian culture. They will discuss how dance and songs convey a living history and the traditions of the People, as well as discuss how the traditional Lakota, Dakota, Nakota strive and thrive in contemporary America. The Good Eagles are members of the Lakota Sioux Dance Theatre, founded in 1978 on the Rosebud Reservation.

The event starts at 11am and will conclude at 3pm.