OLC Cheyenne River Center celebrates graduates

EAGLE BUTTE – Oglala Lakota College Cheyenne River Center (OLC-CRC) awarded certificates and degrees to 22 successful students in graduation ceremonies in Eagle Butte on Friday, June 6, 2025.

Those awarded certificates and degrees at this year’s commencement ceremonies included Eva Fielder, Shelby Knife, Rebecca M. Afraid of Hawk, Leslie E. Logg, Dena Waloke, Marcus Hollow Horn, Kayle Lawrence, Michael Heideman Sr., Dylan Thomas Nihiser, Kaitlyn Smith, Leeann W. Jewett, Joseph J. Brings Plenty Sr., Kimberly Clown, Jaylynn Farlee, Taylor Rae Lawrence, Sabra Lee Veit, Dallas J. Webb, Belinda Lee, Candace F. LeBeau, Issiah L. LeClaire, Ricco S. Oakle, and Emmett C. Thompson.

According to Alec Knight, Director of OLC-CRC, “The ceremonies went really well, we had a good time. All of our graduates attended and about 100 or more family and friends attended. We had a good time…” Dignitaries attending included President of OLC Dawn Frank and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Ryman Lebeau.

Dave West, former Director of OLC-CEB and now Director of the Lakota Cultural Center in Eagle Butte, served as eyapaha and gave the commencement address. Knight said West was chosen at the request of several of the graduating students.

According to Knight, “I’ve known (West) for a long time. I’ve always admired and looked up to him. He’s a great speaker.”

West said this is the fourth graduation address he has given this year. In preparation for each event, he does not write down any notes to use while speaking. Instead, he says he prefers to “speak from the heart. …I believe in prayer. I pray before each event and Spirit helps me say the words I need to say. …”

At the OLC-CRC commencement ceremony, West reminded the students and the audience of a Lakota language phrase that can be interpreted as “a different way of life coming.” Just as individuals evolve over a lifetime, the Lakota oyate is evolving away from a colonizer-imposed separation of Lakota tribes based on geographical location.

“We (Lakota) are all the same people,” West reminded the students. “…Each person is unique but equally important. Each individual has a powerful imagination since childhood and can imagine a different and better way of life for themselves and the entire tribe.”

According to West, the OLCCRC campus is a great modern example of “a different way of life coming.” Decades ago, the administration of OLC became aware the Cheyenne River Lakota were struggling with some issues and voluntarily decided to start the CRC in order to assist the Cheyenne River Lakota.

“They didn’t have to do that,” said West, “but they overcame that blind separation of tribes (imposed by the U.S. government) to help their People. This is one of the greatest acts of unity of our time.”

Oglala Lakota College now has 11 college centers providing college classes to students on the Pine Ridge Reservation, the Rapid City area, and the Cheyenne River Reservation. Enrollment numbers continue to grow with each new semester.

“Students at OLC-CRC are being empowered,” West said, noting that the CRC awarded 3 master’s degrees at this year’s commencement, as well as bachelor’s and associates degrees and certificates.

West knows a number of the graduating students personally and mentioned that many experienced significant personal losses while pursuing their educational goals. They had the perseverance to continue their studies and see themselves through to this commencement milestone.

All CRC graduates have the opportunity to attend and be recognized at ceremonies at the central campus of OLC in Kyle, SD, including a Feather Tying Ceremony on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 4:00 pm, Awarding of Degrees on Friday, June 12, 2025, at 10:00 am, and a Graduation Wacipi (Powwow) on Friday afternoon and on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

For more information, see https://www.olc.edu/olc-calendar/view/feather-tying-ceremony/ or phone Leslie Torcek at 605-455- 6022, Anthony Barajas at 605- 455-6033, or Jonnie Clifford at 605.455-6047.

The main administration complex, known as Piya Wiconi, is located seven miles southwest of Kyle at 490 Piya Wiconi Rd. and contains the main offices such as the President’s Office, the Financial Aid and Registrar Offices, the Business Office, the Bookstore, Woksape Tipi (the library), the Head Start administrative offices, and the departments of Education, Math and Science, Agricultural and Natural Resources, and Applied Sciences.

(Contact Grace Terry at graceterrywilliams@gmail.com)

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