Lakota Link

Basil Brave Heart Renowned Lakota Elder Born and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation.  Basil shares some of his life’s history and how important his grandparents were in his upbringing.  Basil is very well respected in the Lakota community.  He gives insight to the Lakota value of forgiveness and how it has a healing quality.   

Walter Littlemoon, Wounded Knee Takeover 1973 Part II of the Wounded Knee takeover in 1973.  Walter Littlemoon is an enrolled Oglala Lakota tribal member.  He grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation.  As an author he is eloquent in explaining his experiences of the takeover.  A different perspective of the impact and how it affected the people that lived in the Wounded Knee village.   

Walter Littlemoon   Wounded Knee Takeover 1973 Walter lived and came from the village of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Reservation.  He is an enrolled Oglala Lakota.  In this podcast he shares how the Wounded Knee takeover in 1973 impacted his family and him.  The occupation changed the village in ways that I had never thought about.  Walter is also an author of a book “They called me uncivilized...

Larry Brewer Traditional Dancer Part II I continue to visit with my first cousin Larry Brewer.  He had the conviction that he needed to change his life style.  He then turned to the Church, traditional dancing, and bead work.  We talk about some of the Lakota traditional ways.  One is being respectful of others space.  His experience in going to a Catholic Boarding school was positive.   

Larry Brewer, Traditional Dancer Larry Brewer’s first years were living on the Pine Ridge Reservation.  He shares some of his memories about Grandpa Mills and Great Grandpa Adams.  Then in the early 50’s the family moved to Rapid City.  He was the middle child out of 12.  My Aunt Lula, his mother, was a strong Lakota woman.  She was widowed and continued to raise 12 children by herself.   We will...

Walter Mills, Lakota Elder It is fascinating to get a view of life on the Pine Ridge Reservation in the 1940’s and 1950’s.  A glimpse of what life was like for Native Americans at that time.  One small fact was you could not purchase dog food at that time.  So if you had a family ranch and loved dogs how did you manage?  It was a pleasure to visit with Walter and have him share his experiences.

Walter Mills, Lakota Elder Walter is the son of Sidney and Grace Mills.  He grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation and is an enrolled Oglala Lakota.  He shares what his life was like in the 1940’s and 1950’s on the reservation.  We talk about the beginning of WWII and how Native Americans have a greater percentage per capita of enlisting into the service.  We will continue with Walt’s story part II...

B. B. Mills and Sallie Bush Mills Continuing my series of a Man of Mystery you will learn about the 1868 Ft. Laramie Treaty.  Benjamin Buckner Mills definitely played an important part in the Treaty.  He was well known and respected by both parties involved.  Chief Red Cloud recommended him to be the Agent for the newly formed Pine Ridge Reservation.  Listen and find out what eventually happened. ...

Benjamin B. Mills – A Man of Mystery Benjamin Buckner Mills, was my great grandfather.  Oral family history says he came from England.  What we do know is he ended up at Ft. Laramie Wyoming and was the sutler at the store.  A man of mystery because in the 1860 census he put his birth place at Michigan.  1870 census birth place said Kentucky.  He married a full blood Lakota Sallie Bush.  He had a g...

Dr. Garcia-Janis’s Lakota Adventures Not many people have had such an adventurous life as Dr. Liz.  She was born in the Philippines and ended up on the Pine Ridge Reservation doing medical mission work.  She has traveled throughout the world to help alleviate pain and suffering during times of crises. Her ability to speak four different languages has served her well.  There are many similarities b...

Dr. Garcia-Janis “Help and Hope for the Suicidal” Dr. Elizabeth Garcia-Janis is a national known psychiatrist.  She is double board certified in child and adult psychiatry.  The topic we discuss is suicide.  What are the signs?  How do we help the people contemplating suicide?  What about the families left behind? As an enrolled Oglala Sioux, Lawrence Janis also shares his heartfelt poetry on the...

Lakota Elder beats Covid-19 Victor Swallow was willing to share his experience with contacting the Covid-19 virus.  At the age of 81 it was a very serious matter.  Taking one day at a time, he relives his hospital stay and how he is now slowly regaining strength today.  A lesson we can all learn that each day is precious. 

Dr. Eric Zimmer/ Historian for the Oyate When I want to learn about something, I like to consult an expert.  Dr. Zimmer is a historian and author of two books.  He is a fellow for Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies.  (CAIRNS)  I wanted to learn about the history of the Indian boarding schools in Rapid City, SD.  Dr. Zimmer among others has researched this topic for many years....

Devils Tower  (AKA)   Bear Lodge You will learn how both a Lakota and Japanese artist collaborated on a project.  Mr. Junku Muto had a vision to create seven sculptors in order to circle the earth.  A great project to promote world peace.  The first sculpture was placed at the Vatican, the second in India, and the third at Devils Tower.  Sandy Swallow shares how she became a small part in this pro...

Joseph Marshall III,   Lakota Author and Historian Joseph Marshall is an enrolled Rosebud Sioux.  He is the author of more than 33 books.  Founding member of the Sinte Gleska University.  He has a wide verity of interests and talents.  You will learn of his latest endeavor.  How his childhood shaped him into becoming the man he is now.  I was honored that he took the time to visit on Lakota Link.

Helping Hand in 2021 Sandy Swallow thinks everyone will be very happy to see 2020 in the rear-view mirror.  Remembering some of the difficult times, Covid 19, unemployment, loneliness to name a few. Also remembering 1984 when a personal crisis came about and neighbors pulled together. In some ways this has happened now. Looking forward to the sunshine ahead 2021. And how we can all extend a helpin...

Merry Christmas 2020 Sandy Swallow shares some family history of the gifts she has received.  Generosity is one of the Lakota values. Why this was so important to the tribes. Sandy takes time to reflect on a few important gifts she has received. And to count her blessings. Looking forward to the New Year 2021.

Tribal Treaties with Mario Gonzalez How often do you get to visit with a renowned expert on the treaties?  Have you wondered why the tribes have sovereignty? Most of Mario’s life long career has been to represent tribal interests. We discuss the 1851 and 1868 Ft. Laramie treaties. Without these we would have been pushed out of our land as many in the East coast tribes were. Mario Gonzalez has been...

Mario Gonzalez a Warrior for the Tribes Mario Gonzalez is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.  He is national and internationally known for winning landmark cases as an attorney.   He is licensed by SD State Bar Association, admitted to practice various US Federal Courts including the US Supreme Court.  In this podcast he shares some very interesting family history.  On the next podcast he will ex...

Beginning a Cowboy and an Indian 1968 was a pivotal year for my husband and me.  A terrible life changing accident.  Graduated Oelrichs High School and got married.  Learn about how things started and the impact it made on my life.  My faith grew and I knew the good Lord was watching over us.   

Life on the Rez. In order to tell stories about my grandmother Betty Gillespie-Swallow, I went to a good source.  Leni Connell-Hamilton lived on the Swallow homestead for more than 55 years.  We share some humorous stories about the Unci,s (Grandmothers).  Insight to living on the Southwest corner of the reservation and dealing with the Gumbo mud.  Though in a remote part of the country there was...

A Lakota Woman of Wisdom Suzanne White Wolf Swallow is a Lakota elder a mother of eight children.  Grandmother (unci) and great-grandmother.  Though her life has not always been easy she was able to instill in her family many of the Lakota values. You will learn why education has been so important in her family.  She also shares some of her family history which dates back the Battle of the Little...

Sarah Long Chin - Northern Cheyenne This the second segment of the Gillespie  family history.  How my Great grandmother (Northern Cheyenne) ended up on the Pine Ridge Reservation.  That is where her family was  enrolled as Oglala Sioux.  It was common that whichever reservation they resided at, is where they were enrolled by the government.  As you can only be enrolled in one tribe. Many of my anc...

Camp Mni Luzahan Even though Mark K. Tilsen is a very busy man with a lot of responsibilities he was kind enough to grant me an interview.  If you have a heart for the homeless this is one podcast worth listening to.  You will learn the logistics and difficulties of lending a helping hand to the un-housed. There is group of dedicated people that work hard and are willing to do this.   

An Irishman and a Cheyenne Lady My great grandparents David Gillispie and Sarah Long Chin were an unlikely couple.  Although they could not speak each other’s language they could understand each other. They had a long successful marriage.  This is the first segment of their story.