Mourning the passing of Dawn Little Sky: renowned Native American actress and cultural icon

KYLE – Eunice “Dawn” Elsie Little Sky, Anpao Win, 95, was born on April 17, 1930 in Fort Yates, ND to John and Ethe (Bruguier) Gates. Eunice made her journey to the Spirit World on October 24, 2025 at the Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, SD.

She lived on the Standing Rock Reservation in her early years, up until she left to attend college at Haskell Indian Nations in Kansas. While attending school at Haskell, she met the love of her life, Eddie Little Sky. Eddie lovingly called her, “The Ava Gardner of Fort Yates.” They later married on the rodeo trail while in Roswell, New Mexico. If you knew her well, you know the story of that momentous day! They then moved to California where she worked for Disney at Disney’s Frontierland. She was an artist for Walt Disney Studios, where she was the first Native American artist to color Disney cells. She and Eddie raised their children in California for many years. They met many people, as she and Eddie got into doing motion pictures and television. She had quite a few stories to tell of their life together there.

In the late ‘70s, they moved back to South Dakota where she worked as the director of the cultural center in Eagle Butte. In the early ‘80’s, she began teaching art and culture at Little Wound School. Many of her former students still recall her as “their favorite teacher.” She was also the dance club sponsor at Little Wound for many years. She and Eddie also loved to make dance regalia for their children and took them to powwows and cultural shows, both nationally and internationally. She was also a champion Women’s Traditional dancer and was given South Dakota’s Indian Living Treasure Award in 2005. Dawn had a wealth of knowledge of Native American art and history, which she shared generously with all.

Dawn enjoyed watching all her grandchildren dance at powwows, and she especially loved listening to the drum groups. She was a dedicated mother, auntie, and grandma to many. She would support and “lili” for them on the sidelines. She is affectionately referred to as, “Grandma Dawn” by many people because of her loving and gentle spirit. She always gave an “I love ya” and a kiss on the cheek.

Dawn lived an extraordinary life and left a positive impact on all who had the honor to interact with her. Her life was full of so many adventures and unforgettable experiences, and she was the best storyteller with the most amazing sense of humor! Dawn’s warm presence and one of a kind smile will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her; however, the family takes comfort in knowing she is with all her loved ones who had gone on before her, especially her husband, Eddie.

Dawn is survived by her children, Tojan Norma Rendon, Prairie Rose Little Sky-White and John “Chepa” (Naomi) Little Sky; grandchildren, Ryanne White, Darryan White, Britni Little Sky, Makana Little Sky, Abigail Little Sky, Chaske Little Sky, Edsel “Eddie” Little Sky, Aleta Little Sky, Kathryn Thunder Hawk, Fawn Little Sky, Trae (Jocy) Little Sky, Lakota Duel (Aidyn) Little Sky, Winona Wamblie Little Sky, Sparrow Little Sky (Lane), Chanda Spotted Eagle, Robert (Halli) Rendon, Aspen (Oscar) Rendon, January Rendon, Nadine Janis, Ardie (Kayla) Janis, and Ian (Tonia) Rendon; brother-in-law, Ernie (Elizabeth) Little; sister-in-law, Babe Little; daughters-in-law, Mary Little Sky, Orlena Little Sky, Carol Rave Little Wounded, and Hunka daughter, Patty Medina; and numerous nieces & nephews, great & great-great grandchildren.

Dawn was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Little Sky, daughter, Dawn Renee Little Sky, Sons, Beau Little Sky, Todd Little Sky, Stephan “Sky” Little Sky, and Kydd Little Sky, Brother’s Hobart Gates, Johnny Gates, and Francis Gates. Sisters; Amelia Fern Jones, Laudene Marie Gates. Grandchildren, Emmett Little Sky, Olowan Martinez, and Kwanna Thunder Hawk, Hunka son, Goro Takahashi, Daughter in-law Victoria Thunder Hawk-Little Sky.

Pallbearers: Trae Little Sky, Darryan White, Makana Little Sky, Samuel O’Rourke, Sr., Robert Rendon, Ardie Janis, Morris Bull Bear, and CL GoodNature.

Honorary pallbearers: Ernie and Liz Little, Babe Little, Andy and Caroline White and Family, Dave and Betty Archambault and Family, Ted and Alice Phelps and family, Dave Kelly and Family, Ace No Braid, Julius Not Afraid, MJ and Delphine Bull Bear and Family, Angelo Wasteste, William St. Cyr and family, Ricky White, Jimmy & Ricky Anquoe, Stanley Asapace, Tom Allen, Tony and Merle Brave, Randy Barnett, Clayton Cagle, Don “Cuny Dog” Cuny, Terry and Marcy Fiddler and Family, Richard Street, Little Wound School Staff & Students, LWS Tate Topa Dance Club, I.H.S. Kyle Clinic Staff, Oglala Sioux Lakota Nursing Home Staff & Residents, Missouri Breaks/Martin offices, Eagle Mountain Singers, Stoney Park Singers, Elk’s Whistle, Special friend and Pen pal Qualeen, Carmen Clairmont and Family, Joi Long and family, Anita Gates, Josie Chase, Debi Cagle Douthit, Shirley & Fawn Jones, Jina Red Nest and family, Dr. Sara Jumping Eagle and family, Cindy Mitchum-Azbill, Linda Standing & Corey Standing Lucero and families, DeeDee Good Eagle, Diane Goodwill and family, Evelyn Sissy Good House and family, Lorna Her Many Horses and families, Justine Two Lodges and family, Melissa Merrick-Brady and family, Isabell Gaddy and family, Chaleen Macktima-Little and family, Sharon Naomi Little and family, Terry Bull Bear & Dawn Brave Eagle, Dayna Brave Eagle and family, James Cross & Pamela Attack Him and family, Annie Brass, Colhoff Family, Little Family, Brewer Family, Bruguier Family, Lamb family, Takahashi family, Hollow Horn family, Traversie Family, Gates Family, Two Bear Family, Chase and Kelly families, Phelps family, Bull Bear Family, Stands and Fire Thunder Families and All Friends & Relatives.

Drum Groups: Chimney Butte Singers and Eagle Mountain Singers

Wake Services: One night wake service starting at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 1, 2025 at the Rockyford School New Gym with evening services starting at 5: 00 PM.

Funeral Services: 10:00 AM, Sunday, November 2, 2025 at the Rockyford School New Gym.

Traditional Lakota Services: Bino Garcia

Burial Services: Little’s Family Cemetery, Oglala, SD

Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD

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