Lakota Link

Lighting Girl and Her Horse A cold snowy day in the Tipi, Sandy reminisces about the ranch life.  In the Lakota culture the horse was always highly esteemed.  Cowboys and Indians had to have admiration and confidence in their horses.  Sandy shares family stores about the Sunkawakaj (Lakota word for horse).  Learn how she incorporates culture and history into her art. 

Ivan Sorbel - Pine Ridge Chamber of Commerce April 2000 a group of Native American business people started the Pine Ridge Chamber of Commerce.  Ivan Sorbel a businessman himself was hired in 2005 to be the Executive Director.  He grew up on the Reservation and joined the Marine Corp for a 5 ½ years.  Learn of his history and projects during this difficult time of the Covid crises.  It is interesti...

A Lakota Cowboy Louis Twiss He tells of living on the Pine Ridge Reservation and starting the Oglala Sioux Land and Cattle Organization. He became Secretary for the National Indians Cattlemen Association for the betterment of all Native American producers.  Learn of his firsthand experience in the Badlands World War II bombing range at the North end of the Reservation. The government used eminent...

Lakota Tipi Time Sandy Swallow shares some personal insights on the Lakota value of Generosity. After a long lonely spell of quarantine, family and friends get together.  For a joyful occasion of a tipi rising. You will learn what happens at a Tipi rising.  Also how to make wojapi and what this traditional desert is. 

Elsie Meeks a Woman of Vision Elsie Meeks helped start and shape the Lakota Fund on the Pine Ridge Reservation.  The goal was to help the economic development on the Reservation. A strong Oglala Lakota women her goal was to help her tribe.  You will learn why it is hard to get loans on the Reservation.  She was appointed South Dakota Executive Director of the Rural Development Agency by President...

Exclusive from Paul LaRoche In this second interview with Paul you will learn the great opportunity he passed up.  He wanted to remain true to his Lakota heritage and traditions.  Now as Lakota artists we all need to venture into new and different avenues while remaining true to our values.  

Paul LaRoche of Brule` Get to know Paul LaRoche of Brule` just a little better.  He found out he was a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe in his thirties.  He and his family have been blessed with a great talent for music.  Although it hasn’t been easy they have become well known and sold over a million CD”s.  They now have an Anthology of their 25 years in the music business.  Their journey wi...

Lakota Elder Vic Swallow Vic Swallow a Lakota Elder was born on the Pine Ridge Reservation.  He was raised on the Red Shirt Table with his brother and two sisters.  Now an elder at the age of 81 he shares some of his experiences growing up there.  He gives a good background on the tribes that make up the Seven Council Fires.  Having a very good memory he recalls stories his mother Lizzie Two Bulls...

What is Social Distance Powwow? Whitney Rencountre grew up on the Crow Creek Reservation in South Dakota.  Over coming many obstacles he has been able to achieve some of his life goals.  You will learn how Whitney, Dan Simonds, and Stephanie Hebert created a Social Distance Powwow facebook page.  It took off like lighting with over 205,000 members in over 100 countries around the world. Created fo...

Wisdom from a Lakota Elder This podcast is especially dear to my heart because it is a conversation about my Grandpa Oliver Swallow.  My elder cousin Vic Swallow shares stories about him.  You will learn what it was like to live on the Pine Ridge Reservation in the early 1900’s.  Everyday life as it was then.   This song is written and sung by good friend Quincy Good Star.

Where is the Cell Service? Have you ever thought about the difficulties of living on a Reservation?  Some of the Reservations do not have cell phone coverage or internet access.  Petra Wilson will explain her journey helping with Indian education which led to helping the tribes become connected.  There is a short time frame of September 22020 to apply.  She has studied the problem and can now help...

Dr. Craig Howe Comes Home Leaving the Pine Ridge Reservation to pursue his education.  You will learn why he went to Chicago and Washington DC.  Ultimately his heart brings him home.  In order to create the Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies (CARINS).  His goal is to educate the public on Native American history and issues.  Discover why the Tribes are Sovereign Nations.  Join...

Along the Banks of the Little White River Dorothy Fire Cloud shares with us the freedom of growing up on the Rosebud Reservation.  With the passing of her mother she was suddenly brought into the White Culture.  How that has impacted her outlook and way of life.  Though things were difficult she overcame the hardship through hard work and tenacity.  She became a lawyer and Superintendent of a Nati...

Swallow Tales;  “Sent Away “ Can you imagine how it would be if you were sent away?  Away from your home, family and friends.  Seeing a billowing steam engine for the first time. Loudly rolling into the Rushville Nebraska train depot. Traveling 1617 miles and only 14 years old. This is what happened to my grandpa Oliver Swallow. He was not to return for 5 or 6 years. How did he end up at the Linco...

                    “Paul Harvey of the Prairie” Jim Thompson Jim Thompson a radio and rodeo announcer sharing his connections with Native Americans.  You will find out how he got recognized as the  “Voice of the West”.   Jim shares some of his career history.  We learn how he was able to achieve his goals through years of hard work.  He always has had a heart and understanding of Native American...

A Voice for those who cannot speak I felt this was a very important interview.  This subject was personally heart breaking and difficult for me.   As I lost my sister to murder in 1968.  Lily Mendoza has a true heart for those that need help.  Enrolled in the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe she grew up with the Lakota Value of generosity.  She is a warrior woman and a voice for those who can no longer...

                               Quarantine on the Rez. Learn about the quarantine on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.  Ashley Pourier is the curator at the Heritage Center at Red Cloud School.  An enrolled Oglala Lakota tribal member grew up there and then came back to work at the Heritage Center.  She was able to adjust to the difficulties of turning the art show into a virtual on line...

  Dr. Tiffany Hale shares what it is like living in New York City during the quarantine.  Having to bike or walk everywhere has changed her day to day life.  She was born in Gallup, NM and has grown up with a strong connection to the Native American culture.  You will find out how her research at Yale University led her to Sandy’s Great Grandfather on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

                                     Swallow Tales Sandy shares family history.  Eli Swallow her great Grandfather was a Louisiana born Frenchman. How did he get to the Dakota Territory in the 1860’s?  What was to become of a captured Confederate soldier?   Also learning about Oelrichs, SD which was a thriving town in the early 1900’s. Swallow Tales begins with a cup of cowboy coffee in a kitchen...

Mike Wise has many impressive credentials in the sports world.  He is an author, worked with ESPN, the New York Times, and CBS-DC opinion/features.   Mike has “A heart for the Lakota.”   Why did he a famous WDC newscaster and columnist come to South Dakota?  What are the three most memorable stores that Mike has written about?  He is an accomplished author and is writing a book on Billy Mill’s lif...

Zack Ducheneaux, Executive Director of Inter tribal Agriculture Council.  Zack is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in SD.  He explains to us how and why Inter-tribal Agriculture Council was created.  A very interesting and informative conversation about our national food chain. What impact has the covid-19 virus had on it?  What are some of the problems Native American farmers...

Billy Mills “Footprints”  Why are his footprints so important to the 1964 Olympic Gold Medalist?    As other people have walked through his life, he will share their impact on him.  Learn of Billy Mill’s Lakota values.  Lessons that he has learned and may apply to our footprints.

Billy Mills Oglala Lakota--    How did it come about that Billy is an enrolled Oglala Lakota?  Sharing some of his intimate family history.  He comes from a long line of Warriors.  How is he and his wife handling the coronavirus quarantine and his views on it?  What are some of the Lakota values that Billy has?  All these questions will be answered on this podcast.

 Sandy Swallow is an enrolled Oglala Lakota.  She will be sharing her life experiences as a Lakota Artist, mother & grandmother.  She is proud of her Native American heritage. Sandy is honest that life has not always been easy. You will enjoy her insights as well as the interviews of her guests.  Lakota Link is one way to learn about Native American culture.  You’re welcome to walk this journey wi...