{"id":38861,"date":"2025-06-21T04:07:43","date_gmt":"2025-06-21T09:07:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/celebrating-kinship-at-the-52nd-annual-wowapi-ohiiciyapi-oglala-lakota-college-graduation\/"},"modified":"2025-06-21T04:07:59","modified_gmt":"2025-06-21T09:07:59","slug":"celebrating-kinship-at-the-52nd-annual-wowapi-ohiiciyapi-oglala-lakota-college-graduation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/celebrating-kinship-at-the-52nd-annual-wowapi-ohiiciyapi-oglala-lakota-college-graduation\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating kinship at the 52nd Annual Wowapi Ohiiciyapi Oglala Lakota College Graduation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Left:<\/a><\/p>\n

Left: President of Oglala Lakota College Dr. Dawn Tobacco Frank, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund Dr. Cheryl Crazy Bull, Board President of Oglala Lakota College Board of Trustees Rosalie Janis and Oglala Sioux Tribe Vice-President Dr. Alicia Mousseau all joined in the Round Dance following the awarding of diplomas. (Photo by Ernestine Anunkasan Hopa)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

KYLE \u2013 Once again, the pageantry, beauty, and deeply rooted cultural traditions of the Lakota people\u2014woven into the tapestry of their daily lives\u2014was vividly showcased at the 52nd Annual Wowapi Ohiiciyapi graduation ceremony at Oglala Lakota College\u2019s Piya Wiconi Campus.<\/p>\n

On Friday, June 13, a vibrant procession of 143 students proudly participated in the Grand Entry, adorned in vividly decorated ribbon skirts and intricately crafted clothing that highlighted the timeless artistry of the Lakota Oyate.<\/p>\n

With temperatures comfortably settling in the mid-seventies, the graduation ceremony commenced, creating a pleasant and uplifting atmosphere for graduates, families, and attendees alike.<\/p>\n

President of Oglala Lakota College, Dr. Dawn Tobacco Frank, Ta Oyate Winyankapi Win, Her People See Her, proudly addressed the 2025 graduating class, emphasizing the significance of this day in honoring their achievements, legacy, and the strength of their community. She stated, \u201cWe are not here just celebrating degrees. We\u2019re honoring the legacy,\u201d highlighting that graduates embody the hopes and sacrifices of their ancestors.<\/p>\n

\"Maverick<\/a><\/p>\n

Maverick Gray Horse, AA in Lakota Studies participates in the Round Dance. (Photo by Ernestine Anunkasan Hopa)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Tobacco acknowledged the support systems, including donors, community members, elders, and partners, especially recognizing Oglala Sioux Tribal Vice-President Dr. Alisha Mousseaux for her leadership. She also celebrated keynote speaker, Dr. Cheryl Crazy Bull, for her dedication to Native education and tribal colleges.<\/p>\n

She shared a powerful message about purpose and resilience: \u201cWe are resilient, we are strong. We are still here, and we will continue to be here,\u201d urging graduates to carry forward traditional knowledge, Lakota values, and cultural practices. She encouraged them to let core values\u2014Wac\u00e1.tognaka, W\u00f3ohitika, W\u00f3ksape, W\u00f3wau.\u0161ila\u2014 guide their leadership and decisions.<\/p>\n

She concluded by expressing pride and hope for the graduates\u2019 futures, reminding them, \u201cYou are the strength. You are our future,\u201d and emphasized that their journey extends beyond earning a degree to living and upholding their culture and values for generations to come.<\/p>\n

\"Graduating<\/a><\/p>\n

Graduating class speaker Emmanual Black Bear, B.A. in Lakota Studies, Lakota Arts Emphasis and Richard Giago, B.A. in Lakota Studies, Lakota Arts Emphas. (Photo by Ernestine Anunkasan Hopa)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Rosalie Janis, Board President of Oglala Lakota College Board of Trustees, expressed her honor in celebrating the strength and achievements of the 2025 graduates. She emphasized the significance of grounding and community, noting, \u201cOur ways are rooted in connection, in humility and in community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Janis acknowledged the contributions of the Board of Trustees, staff, faculty, and volunteers, thanking them for their dedication and leadership that support student success. She praised the graduates for their perseverance through challenges, sacrifices, and courage, highlighting that they carry the hopes of their families and ancestors.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou stayed the course through challenges and triumphs. You made sacrifices, showed courage and never gave up on your journey. You have made your families proud and now carry the hopes of the generations before you and those still to come,\u201d Janis said.<\/p>\n

\"Oglala<\/a><\/p>\n

Oglala Lakota College Nursing Students celebrating their graduation by dancing in the circle. (Photo by Ernestine Anunkasan Hopa)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

She then thanked the families, supporters, mentors and community members, of the students \u201cwho were there through the long nights, the early mornings and the moments when encouragement was needed most. Your love has helped bring each of these graduates to this moment. Let us celebrate together in joy, in unity and in the spirit of our Lakota way of life. Congratulations to the Oglala Lakota College class of 2025. Whopila Thanka.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund, delivered a heartfelt speech and emphasized her connection to the community, sharing her Lakota name, Wacinyanpi Win, (They Depend on Her) and her Sicangu Lakota heritage. She reflected on her longstanding involvement in the tribal college movement since 1981, expressing gratitude for working with the founders of Oglala Lakota College and Sinte Gleska University, and highlighting the significance of the accomplishments of the American Indian College Fund.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really proud that this year the college fund has given out over $20 million in scholarships to Native students. I\u2019m really proud of that and you know how come we can do that? Because of you, because your stories are powerful and we\u2019ve learned how to tell those stories. We\u2019ve learned to how to listen to your voice and to be able to share those stories so that people give us the resources that we need so that we can have access to education,\u201d Crazy Bull said.<\/p>\n

The American Indian College Fund CEO acknowledged the challenges facing Native communities, including ongoing civil unrest and threats to essential needs like food, housing, and healthcare, emphasizing that these are responsibilities the federal government must uphold based on treaties. She drew parallels between current struggles and the historic American Indian renaissance of the 1960s and 70s\u2014a time when tribes revitalized their languages, ceremonies, and systems of control, marking a time of cultural reawakening.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened in the 1960s and 70s, during a time of great civil unrest in the U.S., was an American Indian renaissance\u2014a movement where our people, who had been in the shadows, stepped into the light. We brought our ceremonies and ways of life back out into the open for everyone to participate in. Our people looked to restoring our languages and taking control of our education systems. As the late Floyd Westerman often said, we told the BIA, \u2018We\u2019re not your Indian anymore.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

She passionately affirmed that with the efforts of students, families, and communities, a similar renaissance is happening again, creating opportunities to restore language, land rights, and systems. She reminded graduates of the founding purpose of tribal colleges\u2014 to help students succeed and give back to their communities\u2014 and encouraged them to carry that legacy forward.<\/p>\n

Crazy Bull summarized four pieces of advice, three rooted in Lakota values: Wolakota, Nake nula waun, Mitakuye Oyasin and a forth more practical tidbit of advice rooted in the modern world, being responsible users of social media.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always tell people, Wolakota, for me is two things, courage and generosity. It takes great courage to be a Sicangu woman and get up and talk in front of all the Oglala\u2019s,\u201d she jokingly giggled. \u201cWolakota is courage, and you get that courage from your loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think back to my late relative Albert White Hat, who always said. \u2018Generosity, yeah, it\u2019s giving somebody some of your resources. But more than anything, it\u2019s giving them your time and your love, giving them your time and your love teaching and being with them when they need you.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does Mitakuye Oyansin mean? Crazy Bull asked. \u201cIt means we\u2019re one. We are related to each other, even those people who might be our enemies, but we are one with the land. We are one with the sky, with all the animals and the plants that is that is so powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n

She then emphasized the significance of what Nake Nula Waun means for students. She shared her own story, \u201cWhen I was younger, I didn\u2019t have the resources I have now. I was a single mother, working full-time, with children, and I had to prepare for all the ceremonies, celebrations, and memorials that came up. I always think about being ready\u2014getting prepared well in advance. That\u2019s what school is also about. You have to get ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

She agreed with the message shared by Emmanuel Black Bear, encouraging students to \u201cget up, go to class, do your work,\u201d and noting that they have the potential to make the President\u2019s List. \u201cWe\u2019re happy to see you do that. So, be ready\u2014that\u2019s really important.\u201d<\/p>\n

In conclusion Crazy Bull emphasized the critical role of social media and the impact of disinformation on our current struggles. She pointed out that disinformation has played a significant role in bringing Tribal Colleges to where we are now\u2014fighting for financial resources and the fulfillment of trust and treaty obligations. She stressed that in this modern era, understanding and responsibly using information is more important than ever. While grandparents may not be on social media, their grandchildren are, and it\u2019s crucial for them to understand what\u2019s happening in that digital space.<\/p>\n

She shared her personal use of social media to stay connected\u2014 sharing pictures of proms, graduations, and grandchildren\u2014while acknowledging that social media can also be toxic and a breeding ground for misinformation.<\/p>\n

Next Dr. Dawn Tobacco Frank, President of Oglala Lakota College called out the name of each graduate and as they walked on stage, Karla Witt OLC VP for Instruction, assisted by registrar Anthony Barajas handed out the degrees.<\/p>\n

Following the graduation ceremonies, attendees rose to join in a traditional round dance, beautifully exemplifying the pageantry, spirit and pride of the graduates and their families. The celebration continued with a Wacipi, lasting into the evening and the next day, embodying the cultural pride of the Lakota people.<\/p>\n

(Contact Ernestine Anunkasan Hopa at editor@nativesunnews. today)<\/span> <\/p>\n

The post Celebrating kinship at the 52nd Annual Wowapi Ohiiciyapi Oglala Lakota College Graduation<\/a> first appeared on Native Sun News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Visit Original Source<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/div>

Left: President of Oglala Lakota College Dr. Dawn Tobacco Frank, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund Dr. Cheryl Crazy Bull, Board President of Oglala Lakota College Board of Trustees Rosalie Janis and Oglala Sioux Tribe Vice-President Dr. Alicia Mousseau all joined in the Round Dance following the <\/p>\n

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Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> June 21, 2025<\/p>\n

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